Fifty-two Feet To The Mailbox
Even though Jim Stovall’s eyesight had been diminishing for years, the real diagnosis came when he was 17. A medical specialist told him that he wasn’t sure why, and he didn’t know when but, beyond a shadow of a doubt, someday Stovall would completely lose his sight. Nothing could be done.
Now, for the “rest of the story” as famed radio commentator Paul Harvey used to say.
Jim Stovall is the author of several books including “You Don’t Have To Be Blind To See” and “The Ultimate Gift,”
He’s the founder and president of the Emmy Award-winning “Narrative Television Network.” He’s been a national champion weightlifter. He has a long list of accomplishments and awards – all made more impressive because Stovall is blind.
Let me tell you some of his story along with principles I found embedded in an article by Jane Jayroe Gamble:
Principle: Disaster Can Strike Us All
Disaster struck Jim Stovall at the age of 17. Whether young or old, we can be hit with a dreaded diagnosis or a stunning upset. Disaster can strike us all.
Jim’s ambition had been to become a professional football player. At 17, his vision loss would take that off the table. In addition to no more football – or scholarship to ORU – he faced giving up driving and being able to read.
Principle: Instead of Focusing on What You Can’t Do, Focus on What You Can
In response to the devastating news, Jim Stovall’s focus turned from football to weightlifting, and a determination to finish his degree at Oral Roberts University. He found a tutor to help him see what he could no longer read.
Principle: Sometimes in the dark you find the brightest light
Crystal, Jim’s tutor, eventually became his wife. You never know when you’re in a dark place, something --or someone-- may appear. And your life is changed forever.
Principle: You Have to Face The Reality of Loss
Jim prepared; he compensated; perhaps he thought he was ready to deal with going blind. However, he discovered that loss is able to sucker-punch you, no matter what you do. Perhaps you’ve found that to be true in your own life because loss comes in all forms.
The dreaded day arrived. Stovall writes “I remember waking up one morning, and I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the bright light and looked in the mirror and I couldn’t see anything…. The light, the mirror, nothing. And I realized, that’s it. I have now reached the bottom of this. And I went into this little 9x12 room at the back of my house. I fully intended never to walk out of that room again.”
Stovall said in that room he lost more than his sight. “Sight is a precious thing, but compared to vision, it’s really nothing, because people perish for lack of vision. People can live well without sight.” His struggle and frustration, and the fear of leaving that known-and-safe place was more than he could have imagined.
Principle: Recognize When “This” Is Not Living
Then one day he realized:“This isn’t living. This is only existing. I’m not going to lose any more of my sight, but if I continue to sit here, I’m going to lose my life.”
As Stovall stated, “As soon as the fear of not trying gets to be bigger than the fear of failing, we move.” That day he walked 52 feet to the mailbox. And that day began Stovall’s life purpose.
“One afternoon, I put on this old movie that I had enjoyed while I could see. I thought I’d just listen and follow along. But then, somebody shot somebody, and somebody screamed, and a car sped away and I forgot what happened and I got really frustrated.
I thought, “somebody ought to do something.”
So, Jim Stovall developed narrative TV. TV shows and movies now have an extra soundtrack, making them accessible to 13 million blind and visually impaired people all across the United States and millions more around the world. That stunning success led to Stovall’s speaking and writing career.
Principle: Pursue Things That Are Bigger Than You.
In his book, “You Doo’t Have To Be Blind To See,” Stovall shares what he learned from his experience, and how, regardless of circumstances, we can still fulfill our destinies.
Because Jim Stovall discovered these principles and put them into action, his story of despair evolved into the one which inspired me today.
I hope you’ll also be motivated to be all you’re meant to be — You just have to walk 52 Feet To The Mailbox