On The Path

By Kathy Dunn

From Randy's introduction at a school presentation, read by a blind student

For many of us we read about Randy’s speaking engagements and the interactions he has with the children in our communities.  However we don’t always have a chance to see them firsthand.

Donavan reading his introduction

Randy and Donavan enjoying a few moments together

I was lucky to have this chance as I traveled with Randy from Dover, New Hampshire to Portland, Maine. I watched a great deal of these speaking engagements through my camera lens, which I hope gives you a chance to see Randy sharing his message.

Our morning began at Woodland Park Elementary School in Dover. We received a wonderful greeting at the door from Donavan who would be introducing Randy to his entire school. Donavan is in the second grade, and like Randy, he is blind.  He read his introduction using Braille and with much exuberance told his fellow classmates that Randy climbs mountains, has a dog named The Mighty Quinn, and asked “Did you know he is also blind like me?”

"I have a question!" Woodland Park Elementary School

The students were incredibly attentive to Randy and I am certain it wasn’t only because of his cute dog. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I probably took 15 pictures of Quinn alone in his cute dog poses.) Students asked thoughtful questions and kept their hands raised in hopes of being able to ask the next question.

Woodland Park Elementary School

Portland, Maine was our next stop to speak to the students at East End Community School. They heard about some of Randy’s initial challenges and the progression of his vision loss. Randy also talked about the work that Quinn provides for him and the independence it continues to give him in his life.

East End Community School

Randy showing the kids how he uses technology to help him in his life

Randy and Quinn having a hug at the end of a presentation

Most importantly, Randy communicated his message encouraging children to accomplish the things they want in their life. Randy’s words: if they try… if they work hard… they can do it. Don’t give up in the face of the challenges. Keep working. You can do it.

These words were well received to the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th grade students as well as this student of life.

WCSH Channel 6 saying hello to Quinn

If having three presentations thus far was not enough, we dropped in at WCSH Channel 6 as Randy was being interviewed by Rob Cadwell for their “207” program. After the interview, Quinn got the “Off Duty” call from Randy and could enjoy some hard earned love from some of his new fans.

Our day did not stop there as we were now headed to the University of Southern Maine to attend the Guiding Eyes of Maine event. I learned something new about Quinn and I think we now share something in common: we like puppies.

Now, the Mighty Quinn is diligent in his work like none other and always the consummate canine professional. But you put a few other canine professionals in the room and it is like a reunion!

Do I really need to give a caption to puppies?

“Hiiiiiiiiii!  I’m Quinn!  Who are you?!?!?!  I am so excited to see you!!!!! Oh wait… was I supposed to be taking Randy someplace right now?”

While Randy was doing some meet and greets before his next speaking engagement, I headed over to the see the future canine professionals… the pups!

The finale of our day was Randy speaking to an audience of all different ages and all different abilities about his journey and his future. As it was said in the introduction of Randy “[he] makes the most out of life and will make you want to do the same.”

We all have abilities in our lives.  Some come with known and unknown challenges, however we need to see beyond them. We need to work beyond them.

We can’t have these challenges hold us back.  We can get to where we want to be. Simply put… we can.

Randy presents at Guiding Eyes of Maine event

By Randy Pierce

We have some exciting news and I hope it will entice you to be part of one or both of our biggest annual events.

On Saturday, June 8, 2020 Vision Quest will have a team in the NHAB Tenth Annual Walk for Sight. We had more than 100 people join our team last year as it was a centennial celebration of service by NHAB. We kicked off the very manageable 3K walk from the Concord facilities by walking 100 miles from Concord to the seacoast office and back!

Many walkers came out last year to support Randy after his 100 mile walk.

While we won’t be adding an epic journey to the start of this walk, we do hope to always be taking steps forward. This year we hope to entice an even larger group of friends, family, and supporters of our project to join our team and raise funds for us and NHAB at the same time. What a statement it would be to grow our team as we all walk together to the State House and back!

You can join our team or choose to sponsor a particular walker by going to our Team Home Page.

The event is fantastic in its own right with a barbeque lunch, festive music, and many prizes to go along with our rallying together and spending time as a team. The entrance fee is just $15 for adults, and children under 12 register for only $5. Please visit our page and find more information on the walk itself. We hope you will support us by becoming part of our team directly or through your donation.

Now for the promised incentive. Walkers are always encouraged to raise funds and we’ve had some incredible support from our walkers in the past. This year, we are proud to announce that the top fundraiser on our team will be given the option of a single free ticket or a pair of tickets for the price of one to our November 16 4th Annual Peak Potential Dinner and Auction.

This gala event is our largest fundraiser each year. Last year it sold out, which we hope to repeat this year. The single or pair of tickets one hard working walker will earn will have the option to sit at a table with Tracy, Quinn and me!

This means that by joining us for the very affordable and fun walk event, anyone could become part of our two biggest events and help us continue the quality work we believe we are achieving with our 2020 Vision Quest. Quinn and I are hopeful we’ve enticed you but now the choice is yours — will you be part of our team?

By Randy Pierce

Much of New England celebrates Patriots day on April 15, 2013 with Boston in particular hosting their famous marathon. We too have our “shot heard around the world” in mind with our running of the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) 5K Road Race which takes place on the marathon course April 14. A little research suggests no Guide Dog has ever run this race.

Quinn’s marvelous ability to guide me in crowded road races will change that forever. We used a Go-Pro Cam to capture this work last July with the Finish at the 50 in Foxboro, MA and think the video may indeed give you a brief glimpse at the process!

While this achievement alone is fully worthy of its own blog post, the name of the day reminds us that my Patriots fandom and the attention it drew helped establish some of the roots for 2020 Vision Quest. One video that captures this in an incredible way is the Emmy award-nominated piece featuring us for the HBO Fan Life series. The heart of our message is captured along with some of the methods and reasons behind our own Patriots Day celebration!

So however you celebrate Patriots Day, we hope you always find ways to join us in celebrating Quinn and 2020 Vision Quest.

By Randy Pierce

“Whether you think you can or think you cannot, you are probably right” – Henry Ford

Randy shows a classroom Quinn's hug. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Liang.

We recently had a barrage of school presentations, which are a fundamental part of our mission with 2020 Vision Quest. We offer the myriad quality messages to any school or non-profit organization free of charge because we believe in the positive impact they provide, especially to students in grades K-12. While the messages are adjusted to challenge and properly reach the various ranges of students, there is a common theme delivered: Believe in Your Ability to Achieve!

The Ides of March this year provided me with a proud moment of surprise. I’ve always suggested I want to connect with more people than peaks, despite my love of our mountain journeys. I can hardly believe that in less than three years of our many efforts with 2020 Vision Quest, we have now spoken to more than 21,000 students!

If we can deliver our message to 20,000 then why not 48,000? Why not even more?

Our “For Educators” page highlights some common topics, though most presentations are customized for the purposes of that specific presentation. We are proud of how many schools request that we return year after year to continue making a difference. The benefit of sharing our mission is enabling more and more opportunities.

Will you help us share the message and be part of the team that does this work? Will you be one of the many drivers who help ensure Quinn and I are able to arrive at so many schools all across New England? Will you be a sponsor or donor to support our cause and ensure 2020 Vision Quest continues its positive impact?

I hope you can and will be part of our team!

By Beth Foote

I’m covering the blog this week as Randy recovers from his recent whirlwind of school presentations. Randy will be back next week!

Recently, I was having a bad day at work. It was one of those terribly busy days when everything seemed to be taking twice as long to get done as it should have. So when my cell phone started buzzing on my desk, I glanced at the unfamiliar number on the caller ID and then looked back at my screen, letting the call go to voicemail.

I was curious, though; I looked up the area code and saw that it was from Kentucky. I don’t know anyone in Kentucky, but whoever called me from there had left me a message. Soon the curiosity was great enough that I took a break from the spreadsheet I was working on and called up my voicemail.

A woman’s friendly Southern-accented voice greeted me. “Hi, this is Mary Ann calling on behalf of Doctors Without Borders. We just really wanted to say thank you so much for joining our field monthly giving program and we wanted to say welcome to the team.” She went on to tell me that I would receive a welcome kit in the mail in a few weeks and that I would be invited to special events and conference calls where they would talk more about their work. She ended with, “We thank you so much for your commitment.”

You see, part of my 2013 resolution was to do more things that focused outside of myself and focused more on helping others. It’s very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day trials and tribulations of one’s own life–I felt like I needed to get out of my own head a little more and get some perspective, and to “pay it forward.” In addition to the work I already do with 2020 Vision Quest, I also decided to become a regular donor (albeit a small one) to Doctors Without Borders.

The concept of Doctors Without Borders (or Medecins Sans Frontieres, commonly shortened to MSF) completely floors me. Their mission is to provide medical aid “to those most in need regardless of their race, religion, or political affiliation,” to quote the website. They are a completely neutral humanitarian organization. They are not affiliated with any religious or political group. They purposely do not accept gifts from corporations that come into direct conflict with their mission, so as to retain their independent status. 90% of their gifts come from private donors.

Wherever there are epidemics, malnutrition, natural disasters, or those excluded from healthcare, MSF will most often be there too. They were in Thailand after the 2004 tsunami, Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, and Japan after the 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami. They have set up projects in the most dangerous and war-torn places in the world, such as South Sudan, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Syria. They help people who need it most, regardless of who has fought against whom.

In the current climate of religious and political divisiveness in this country (the US), I find it very refreshing and heartening to remember humanitarian organizations like this exist for the sole purpose of helping people in need simply because we’re all people together on this planet and it’s the right thing to do. Making the world a better place benefits us all.

Nick Lawson, MSF-USA’s Director of Field Human Resources said it best in a recent newsletter I received:

“I think medical professionals like to work with MSF because it takes them back to the fundamental essence of the medical act and the Hippocratic oath. They can use their skills to do excellent work that’s not about the HMO or the legal environment. It’s about doing the very best you can as a human being to benefit another human being. That’s the essence of MSF.”

Further demonstrating their commitment to their mission, MSF puts 86% of their donations back into their programs and services, with 12.7% going towards fundraising and just 1.3% going towards management and other general expenses. For me, these statistics feel like an assurance that a donation to them will be used to the most direct benefit possible of people in need.

It humbles me to think about the work of charity organizations, who help others with no expectation of compensation. It reminds me that enriching someone else’s life is a reward unto itself. It puts things into perspective and encourages me not to dwell too much on what I perceive as difficulties in my own life.

Perhaps, too, this perspective will give me courage to try things I might not have before. As the 2020 Vision Quest mission states: ”Achieve a vision beyond your sight.” Here’s to having the courage to try to make a difference!

For more information about Doctors Without Borders / Medecins Sans Frontieres, please visit their website: www.doctorswithoutborders.org

By Randy Pierce

As founder of 2020 Vision Quest, I believe our greatest achievements are the messages we share with students.

During a corporate presentation in September, the core of our message resonated so well with Fairway Mortgage that they became inspired to help us reach our goals within the communities we share here in New England. Our partnership will help ensure that many more students will be able to receive our message to believe in possibility, ability awareness, achieving through adversity through the skills of communication, teamwork, and problem solving.

I am tremendously grateful for their encouragement and support even as I am not surprised to find the caring investment to community which is a focus for them personally and professionally!

Fairway Independent Mortgage is committed to housing families and building communities both through our lending and through our charitable giving. As part of our Fairway Gives Back campaign, we regularly support charitable efforts of those in the communities where we live, work and do business.

Randy’s message of overcoming obstacles resonates for all of us on so many levels, and certainly applies to those of us in the real estate industry, which has had enormous obstacles to overcome over the past few years. The current process of obtaining a mortgage to purchase a home can certainly seem like scaling a mountain (and blindly at that) for the consumer, too! The message of perseverance and attaining one’s goals is so inspiring for all of us–and one we are eager to share not only with our real estate community, but with kids, too.

Fairway Independent Mortgage (Needham) is proud to sponsor Randy in his efforts to share his story, and inspire kids throughout MA.

Amy Tierce and Deana Auman opened the first New England branch for Fairway Independent Mortgage in 2006. Since that time their Needham operation has been the top producing branch at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation and is home to many of the company’s top producers.

Today there are multiple Fairway branches throughout New England, all offering high quality mortgage consulting services to consumers. Fairway has a passion for education and supports the personal growth of their employees; this passion is shared with the real estate community and consumers through educational programming, and the Fairway mortgage planning process.

At Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, we are proud of our reputation as an outstanding mortgage firm serving the lending needs of real estate professionals, builders and individual homebuyers and homeowners throughout the region.

http://fairway.com

By Randy Pierce

Recently I was invited to join Team Vision as a non-qualified blind runner of the Boston Marathon in April of this year. While I could probably push a training plan to be ready, and while my goal is to run Boston eventually, it was the right decision for me to say no at this time. Given all the efforts I am applying towards supporting 2020 Vision Quest, it wasn’t the right time to try to fundraise separately for the Boston Marathon.

It was very difficult to turn down the offer, but it will help invigorate my preparations for this as a future project, perhaps as soon as next year.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share a note of encouraged support for Team Vision and the visually impaired runner who motivated my invitation. Thanks to Erich Manser, and good luck! I hope to be part of your support this year and perhaps part of the team soon!

***

Massachusetts Association for the Blind (MAB) was founded 110 years ago by Helen Keller and a group of illustrious Bostonians to serve adults who were blind or visually impaired. MAB is the oldest social service organization in the country serving adults who are blind.

MABVI’s TEAM WITH A VISION ::: 2013 BOSTON MARATHON

This year, Marathon Monday will have more blind and visually-impaired athletes running over Heartbreak Hill than ever before. We seek the support of your organization to truly optimize and celebrate this remarkable occasion.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY — WAYS YOU CAN HELP:

· Financial Support: A charitable donation to MAB Community Services OR funding assistance to support “Marathon Weekend” logistics (i.e. TWAV Pasta Supper, airport transportation for out-of-town athletes, shuttles to starting line in Hopkinton, etc.)

· Volunteers: If your employees/members can offer time, rides (airport, starting line) or other forms of voluntary support

· Spectators: We hope to have the noisiest cheering section of the entire marathon route, but this takes PEOPLE. With a prime spot at mile 24.5 (near MAB, with parking and restrooms) — we need LOUD support as these inspiring athletes near the finish!

PLEASE CONTACT ERICH MANSER (erichmanser@hotmail.com) or 978-227-5678 for more information. THANK YOU!

By Randy Pierce

Photo courtesy of Justin Fuller.

Christmas, the Winter Solstice, and possibly the Mayan End of the World (which is still yet to come as I write this) all come together for the “holidays” or “holly daze” as I’ve occasionally quipped.

There are many varied holiday celebrations at this time of year and with them a split between those who come together in unity to share celebrations and those who find umbrage at others celebrating their particular preferences. I revel in people who either by nature or by practiced effort embrace the beauty of celebration. There are so many challenges already inherent in our lives; I welcome every step forward in positive focus on the good things which similarly abound. In fact, I struggle somewhat to understand those for whom the celebrations of others are a negative force.

I realize that as humans we have a natural tendency towards attaching or belonging to groups which all too often may create an “us or them” mentality. When these choices align us together there can be tremendous positive–but when they align us “against” there is potential for so much loss.

I will always strive personally for unity and appreciation even amidst the differences. My efforts in this direction so far continue to reap tremendous reward upon me which I would wish for as many as possible to appreciate.

So whether you wish me a Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, or whatever seasonal greeting excites you to share in joy, I’m delighted for your expression and well wishing. Each person comes from a different place in their expression of holiday greetings, whether it be religious, seasonal, or simply an appreciation for nostalgic childhood memories of holidays. I urge those accepting holiday greetings perhaps beyond their realm of comfort to simply recognize the intent of goodness behind the holiday cheer and greeting. I have found it makes for a much happier holiday season!

I wish that everyone who reads this may know that through this long year and these presently long nights I reflect in appreciative wonder at how much beauty of nature and people has been shared with me. On behalf of Quinn, myself, and 2020 Vision Quest, I wish you the most peace, happiness, and love for the present day and all the many days to come. I’m thankful for your various roles in helping us continue our mission and helping me personally to continue to believe in the positive power of people.

By Randy Pierce

“Volunteers are not paid; not because they are worthless but because they are priceless!”

Immersed in the holiday season, this inspirational theme was on the agenda for our blog this week. Usually I rely on the shared stories from our community, my own discoveries, or emailed suggestions from our readers. (We welcome suggestions! Email us.) This week I want to highlight the volunteers who have made possible all of our 2020 Vision Quest efforts. As we approach 2.5 years of operation it still amazes me how much we have accomplished and moreso how much we continue to progress.

While there’s a long list of folks who have made our mission possible in the past, I’d like to give a bit of appreciation for the folks presently giving of their time and skills to ensure we continue successfully. Our present staff includes Tracy, Jim, Beth, Sarah and Rob with two Board members, Rachel and Jenifer, actively working special projects. Similarly a third Board member, Jennifer, coordinated our Nashua showing of Four More Feet.

This list does not include the Board of Directors nor the friends and community members who have been an integral part of many accomplishments. My appreciation for these folks is tremendously high. I’m just choosing to highlight the immediate staff because we are almost always in need of more support, for which you could volunteer by emailing me.

Many of the staff wake up in the morning and sneak in a little time to give to 2020 efforts before undertaking the conventional obligations of their day. Many squeeze in moments of effort throughout their day and still more provide hours of evening support simply because they have the skills and believe their efforts make a sufficiently worthwhile difference.

Sustaining the blog, website, social media, donations, school visits, presentations, financials and business aspects of a charity are no small tasks. Helping us to reach more and more people in more and more effective ways while raising funds could easily be a full time job for a larger staff. Operations rarely occur without an assortment of challenges, urgencies, and setbacks that require extra efforts. I know my own failings in this process often loom larger to me than the successes, but fortunately I can say that every time I’ve needed support, encouragement, or even a motivational boost, someone on this staff has risen to the occasion.

Throughout all of this I get an inordinate amount of congratulations and expressions of thanks. I do try to share these with the staff and Board but the truth is that I often get far too much of the credit. If those of you who get to read this particular post have seen the worthwhile work we undertake and thought an occasional bit of encouragement is worthwhile, I urge you to consider sharing it with the staff of 2020 Vision Quest. Without them, these efforts could not occur. They have my thanks and I hope you might consider sharing yours with them via email, social media, a phone call or in person. They are incredible people and I’m proud to have them as part of 2020 Vision Quest and more importantly as friends in my life. Thank you!

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
- Maya Angelou

By Randy Pierce

“While the optimist and pessimist argue about the fullness of the glass, the opportunist enjoys a refreshing drink!”

In southern NH there’s a pair of smaller mountains well worth visiting for a short hike. The Uncanoonuc
(pronounced: un-ca-noo’-nuc) mountains in Goffstown, NH are close to where I live in Nashua. They offer a few different routes with generally mild hiking challenges, though the steepest trail takes a bit of effort.

On my first trip, I delighted in the unexpected mountain offerings so close to my home but was dismayed to find the top marred by litter. Specifically, there was a fair bit of broken glass which gave me “pause” to worry for Quinn’s paws. The story might have ended there had I not been contacted by a Trinity High School student interested in working with 2020 Vision Quest for a project called “Love your Neighbor.” This project was intended to allow students to reach out within their community and make a difference.

We brainstormed some initial goals: help raise charity funds and hopefully include a hike together. We thought about adding value to the experiences to make them appeal to more folk and involve the community. Flyers were created and distributed to publicize the hike.

On Saturday Nov. 24, a group of us gathered at the trailhead to hike to the summit together. With trash bags and many helping hands to clean up the area, we turned the experience into more than just a hike. Many from the community chose to make a donation in appreciation of the efforts. These dollars will be donated to 2020 Vision Quest to further our many missions.

This effort became about more than just cleaning up the litter on the treasured local hiking spot. Embracing it as an opportunity to do more was an excellent change of direction–the day we spent building our community while helping the community was a refreshing new adventure! Thanks Michelle and the entire group from Trinity!

Stay tuned a future blog for the inspiring tale of our new friend Chris who joined us for the journey as well!