NOAH AOC

Hello my name is Sam Marmol. I've been dealing with being albino all my life and I'm getting to the point were I'm unsure of what I'm capable of. I'm 21 years old, engaged to my beautiful fiancee, but feel like I need to improve my self for her and my soon to be step son of the age of 2. Now my main problem is that I grew up with little to no knowledge of what I am since my parents both immigrated to the USA from El Salvador, and even to this day I havn't got much help from that part of my family, to be honest I wouldn't be on Noah if it wasnt for my fiancee Ivette. While growing up I didn't really use glasses or didn't know of the damages it can do not using them, so I am now trying to get some corrective lens, like bioptics but I'm not sure what is best for me to get. I know I have 20/200 vision and know for a fact that I dont think I can drive, it looks to scary and to be honest I don't trust myself with the brightness of the sun. I do know I capable of cooking and cleaning, theres definately things I know I'm capable of doing. For example, I'm a music fanatic. I've created numerous songs, and recently completed a Christian Rap albulm. All my music is completly original, my own beats, back round, words, editing, and I've even played/ recorded on guitar. The main reason for me going for glasses is to try to get me a job for me to help support my wife and my son to be, but at the same time I don't feel confident in myself to work maybe if I had corrective lenses I would I dont know. Going through schooling was just as bad. I went to very poor public schools were they thought putting me in special education would fix the problem, so as far as goin to college I do not see that as a possibility, luckily I did get a regualr diploma but I have no work experience and living at home with mom doesn't make me feel proud or man enough to be a husband. Well if anyone has any advise or can relate I'd really appreciate it. Thanks everyone!

you can contact me through here or

cidasper@aim.com
SamitosCave@hotmail.com
kidasper1only@yahoo.com 

 Hi Sam

I don't have any diffinite answers for you but I think I can give you a little hope. My son is 14 and has albinism and we live in Michigan. My cousin has it too and grew up in Michigan, he went to college and got help all throughout with funds and learning. I am told that he will be able to attend college. If you were classified legally blind when you were in school (high school) you should be able to get benefits. Contact your local school district or community college explain your dilema. Maybe you could get a music degree. You sound as if that interests you, perhaps you could teach music. I think you said that you play guitar, you could give guitar lessons. I know that I took lessons and paid $20 for a half hour lesson. Schooling is your way to a better future! You have made your decision to better yourself just by reaching out! Go fo it! My cousin got his degree in restaurant management. Now he works for a nursing home company that orders food for a chain of nursing homes. He has bioptics. You need to find someone who lives in your community and find an eye doctor to help. I wish you were in michigan. I'd know just where to send you. Look for a certified low vision doctor. Contact the best hospital in the area and see who is on staff for vision and ask for telephone #'s maybe. Congratulations on your engagement. There are so many great people here on the NOAH cite, look for Nick from California. He is the most positive person I ever talked too, with or without albinism.

Good Luck

Wendy 

Hi Sam!  I only have a second, but wanted to say hello since we are also in Charlotte (well, live in Fort Mill, but do everything else in Charlotte).  My son will be 5 this year and has albinism.  Have you seen a low vision specialist?  I'm sure there is one at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat.  There is also a good one located in Wilmington that I plan to take Zachary to next summer before he starts Kindergarten.  Zach sees a pediatric ophtholmologist at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose and Throat and has been followed there since he was a baby.  As far as being a good husband, obviously your fiance thinks you will be since she is planning to marry you!  Hang in there!

Hi wend thanks for the advice i neverthought about teaching guitar and to be honest that sounds like the best idea i never had =D.my fiancee (ivette) keeps telling me i should go to school and to be honest i seriusly considering it.anyways thanks for the feed back

take care Wendy

Sam

Hi Brittany . Coool you live in Charlotte to!! thanks for the feed back i actualy plan on going to see a optomologist very soon so im hoping for the best. i gues i got to take it 1 step at a time i will definetly let you know if i here anygood news ,O and i forgot to mention to Wend that i went to the devision of services for the blind today they set me up with a written goal to fulfill first on it guidance and counseling about work then its job placement services ,third is low vision assessment and finaly orientaiton and mobility services. So I gaun be pretty bussy with that whole deal , meeting differnt people and counsilers , but the job goal im have chosen is janitorial.

ps if you need info about the D.S.B (devision of services of the blind) i can find out for you i kno the do things like low vision and transportation tools for school ext . o and my fiancee (ivette) said if you ever want to set up a play date with our sons or to just collaborate that would be cool since im kinda new to this area

anyways take care

Sam & Ivette

Sam, that's great that you got hooked up with the DSB and are planning to see an eye doctor.  We actually live in SC, so we get services through SC instead of NC, but thanks for offering to help!  I would be more than happy to meet up with you guys.  I am a native Charlottean and know lots about the city!

Hi Sam,

I am new to the NOAH forums but I read your post and thougt I would respond. I am 31 years old and am albino and it took me until I was in college to get to the point where I would say that I was albino. Now I believe that we (albinos) can do anything we set our minds to, well except in my case driving. Now I enjoy talking with and educating people about my albanism and the lack of vision that comes along with that. No matter what happened in High School I think that you should try and further your education, it will help open more doors for you in the future. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Accounting and I am now an auditor for the State of Oklahoma, which a truly enjoy. My husband of ten years does have to drive our two children and myself all over the place and often feel bad about that but he never seems to mind. It sounds like your fiancee is a lot like my husband in that they love us for who we are and she does not expect you to better yourself just for her. Also, Wendy's idea about teaching guitar lessons is a great one. Hang in there and congratulations on the pending wedding.

Amber (Frosty) 

Hi Sam

I am sooo happy for you. I still think that you should consider teaching guitar, as a side business. But as you said one step at a time. Your making great progress!

Wendy