Technology is literally changing the way Chelsey Bowers sees her world in this edition of Amber's Alabama.
Imagine going your whole life without being able to do basic things like read a book, find a cup in the pantry, or walk down the hallway without assistance. That was reality for 20-year-old Chelsey Bowers until just a few weeks ago.
“It was really hard," said Bowers. “It kinda felt challenging because you know trying to walk paths." Now, thanks to her teacher and the community of Falkville, they've been able to raise money in less than 24 hours for Bowers to get a pair of Meta glasses along with a new outlook on life.
“It’s night and day,†said special education teacher Leslie Freeman. “I mean, she has been able to do things like read text. She read her textbook for the first time this week. She was able to hold her textbook and read it. She was able to read a birthday card. She was able to look at the lunch line and see what was for lunch. It’s the basic things that we take for granted that have made all the difference in the world for Chesley.â€
From needing an aid every day to help guide her with all her needs, Bowers can now rely on the glasses to be her eyes.
The gift of sight came at a special time for Bowers - her birthday week! “I got them after my birthday," said Bowers. "My birthday was on Monday, March 3rd, and I got them the next day."
Experiencing firsthand the way the Meta glasses help Bowers through her daily life was inspiring. As she gets ready to move into her next chapter of life, she will forever leave her mark on Falkville High School.
“Chesley has left a legacy here,†said Falkville High School Principal Shane Bryan. “We will have a lot of laughs and probably tears and everything after she's gone because of all the good times we have had with her here.â€
Bowers isn't the only one to receive these glasses recently. A group of people in Decatur were presented with similar glasses earlier this month.
