It often takes a personal connection to fully appreciate how much someone who is blind or visually impaired can accomplish in their lives—and the challenges they might face in the process.
That was the case for Larry B. Kimbler, who just completed his second term on AFB’s national Board of Trustees, serving for the last four years as board chair.
Years ago, one of Kimbler’s daughters went to school with a young woman who lost her vision when she was 12 years old. Fortunately, the girl’s father was serving on the AFB Board of Trustees at the time, and had the means to send his daughter to private school and make sure she received specialized training.
“I watched with great interest as she graduated from high school, went on to college and is now gainfully employed,” Kimbler says. “I used to think, ‘If she was the daughter of somebody who could not afford the time or financial resources to help her, she might be among the 75 percent of people who are blind or visually impaired and are unemployed or underemployed.’”
When the opportunity to get involved with AFB was presented to him, Kimbler eagerly accepted. Ever since—for more than two decades—he and his wife, Susy, have been strong supporters of the organization.
Much of their work has shaped where AFB is today. The Kimblers spearheaded the campaign to establish the AFB Center on Vision Loss in Dallas, the city where they live. They helped raise funds, secure the building, and implement the design of an interior that would serve not only as an office space, but would give people who are blind or visually impaired a model for living independently. The center features an apartment set up with a variety of high- and low-tech equipment that people who are blind or visually impaired can use in their own home.
Over the years, Kimbler has been impressed with the staff at AFB and the national and regional trustees he’s worked with, including those on the transition team that selected Kirk Adams as AFB’s current President and CEO. Although he’s stepping down from the board, Kimbler intends to stay involved with AFB—and he’s excited to see what’s next.
“I’m very optimistic about the future of AFB,” he says. “I think with the leadership of the staff and trustees, AFB will continue to be one of the leading organizations in the blindness field.”
