Veteran Finds New Confidence Through Birmingham VA Blind Rehabilitation Center

By the time he graduated, he described the experience as life-changing.

Loyd stood in front of his family, fellow Veterans, and staff to celebrate finishing the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center program. He used talk-to-text technology, which he learned during his training, to write a letter to his wife, Kathy. His daughter, Theresa Lackey, read the letter out loud to everyone.

“This is just one of the skills I have been able to acquire as a result of my attendance at the Blind Rehabilitation Center,” Loyd wrote. “I have gained a number of other skills and learned to do things I never thought possible after being diagnosed as legally blind.”

One of 13 in the country

The Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center is inside the Birmingham VA Medical Center and offers full inpatient rehabilitation for Veterans who are blind or visually impaired. Birmingham is one of just 13 VA medical centers in the country with this specialized inpatient program.

For Loyd, the program offered more than just training. It helped him regain his confidence.

“Being designated as legally blind has been one of the hardest experiences and challenges in my life,” Loyd wrote. “The Blind Rehabilitation Center has given me a new lease on life.”

The program gives Veterans one-on-one instruction in areas like orientation and mobility, daily living skills, communication, assistive technology, low vision support, and manual skills. Training can include learning to travel safely with a white cane, using accessibility features on smartphones, reading with screen readers, managing medications, safety while preparing meals, organizing their home, or using voice-recognition tools for writing and communication.

Regaining independence and confidence 

Stacey Stephens, who leads the Blind Rehabilitation Center, said their goal is to help Veterans become independent again and feel less isolated.

“At the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center, we are not simply teaching adaptive skills,” Stephens said. “We are helping Veterans reclaim independence, restore confidence, and continue living full and meaningful lives.”

Stephens said that Loyd’s letter showed just how much the program can help.

“Your letter is an example of you using the training you learned here,” Stephens said. “Thank you for showing us in real time how this training has impacted you.”

Loyd’s daughter said their family noticed a real change in him while he was in the program.

“Losing his eyesight hit him hard,” Lackey said. “But I have seen the confidence and self-esteem build in him. Before, when my mom would get too far away, you could hear almost a panic in his voice. Now, he has that confidence. He knows he is going to be okay.”

Loyd thanked his family, fellow Veterans, and the BRC staff for helping him move forward.

“Even though I have a disability, I can focus on my different abilities and still enjoy many of life’s greatest blessings,” Loyd wrote. “I recognize this happened because of my willingness to push forward, my determination not to give up, and the support of my family, my friends, the instructors, staff, nurses, and fellow Veterans I met at the BRC.”

A hidden gem for the visually impaired

Looking ahead, Loyd said he hopes to come back to the center and keep building on the skills he has learned.

“I have been so impressed with this program and those associated with it that I am excited about the possibility of returning and learning more,” he wrote.

Stephens encouraged graduates to share their experiences with other Veterans who might be struggling with vision loss.

“When you meet a Veteran with visual impairment who may not know about blind rehabilitation, be that light for them,” Stephens said. “Let them know this center exists, that we are here, and that we are ready to serve them.”

For Loyd, the message was simple.

“I am grateful for what you are doing and for the opportunities you give us to better ourselves,” he said. “Thank you very much.”

Veterans who want to join blind rehabilitation services need to be enrolled in VA health care and have a recent eye exam showing low vision or legal blindness. After that, they should contact the Visual Impairment Services Team coordinator. Call .