Part 1: CUTV News Radio spotlights author Janie P. Bess

Fairfield, CA — Janie P. Bess is the author of Visions: A Memoir, in which she recounts her life story and the story of her son David Jr., affectionately known to his friends and family as “Little David.” 

When Little David was first born he was already having problems seeing and hearing.

Little David would lose his sight and hearing completely before he turned five years old, but he had enough memory to keep doing the things he’d done.

“He was disciplined just like a seeing-hearing child and he was treated like he was seeing-hearing,” says Bess.

“He did not understand why people can see and hear. He never said, ‘Why am I blind and deaf?’ He asked ‘Why can they see and hear?’ He thought everybody was deaf-blind.”

When Little David finally entered a special school for his disabilities, he was four years, nine months old.

“We were supposed to stay the night and we did, but one night they sent me home because they didn't need me. He was already so independent, making his bed and going to the bathroom, showering himself.”

Of course, Little David is not so little anymore. Now 56 years old, Little David works and lives independently.

“He’s grown up to be a fabulous young man,” says Bess.

Today, David and his wife Shirley who is also deaf and blind work for Strategies To Empower People, beating the odds and living life to its fullest!

For more information on Janie P. Bess, visit www.janiepbess.com.

Visions: A Memoir is available on Amazon.