“I love my job at GVRA. I am ready to share my story,” says Blind-Low Vision Client turned Blind-Low Vision Counselor

As a child in elementary school, Jennifer Evans-Rice began experiencing problems with her eyesight. A doctor determined she was slowly losing her vision. In 2007, while she was enrolled in college, Jennifer was fitted with bi-optic eyeglasses which enabled her to continue driving. Approximately 10 years later, Jennifer realized it was no longer safe for her to drive a car. Around that same time, she was deemed legally blind. In 2020 she began walking with a cane and over the next few years her vision deteriorated.  

From a young age Jennifer knew she wanted to help people, so in college she pursued studies that led to a nursing degree. She accepted a job as a nurse case manager and worked in hospitals for over ten years. Eventually, her vision loss began to interfere with her ability to perform her duties. “I loved being a nurse and working in a hospital setting,” Jennifer shared. “I miss that type of employment, but as a nurse I had to be able to assess the patient quickly and know how to react to the patient’s condition, and that became increasingly difficult.”

In 2021, Jennifer and her husband moved from New Jersey to Stockbridge, Georgia along with their first child. When asked how her family copes with her vision loss, Jennifer explained that it took some time for her husband to adjust to her blindness. “My family has now grown to three children. Admittedly, my husband needed time to accept my blindness. When we moved to Georgia, he was still looking for a cure or a treatment,” she said. “At first, he was not comfortable with me using my cane in public when he was around because of the stares or sympathetic looks we would receive. At present, I believe he has adjusted well and sometimes we joke about public reactions.” 

Jennifer’s children have adapted to her vision loss. Her eldest child, who is five years old, asks many questions because she is trying to understand what blindness is. When she was around three years old, she said Mommy’s eyes needed new batteries. Her three-year-old and one-year-old only know her as blind. “I cannot push a stroller and walk with a cane at the same time, so we purchased a four-seater wagon,” Jennifer said. “I pull the wagon behind me and walk with my cane in front of me. My children ride in style!” 

Jennifer’s Determination and Perseverance Pay Off 

Once Jennifer realized her nursing career had come to an end, she was determined to find another career that would allow her to care for people. She had become a resident of Georgia, and she was eager to obtain more career training. She searched the internet for “rehabilitation services” and one of the links that appeared was the website for the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA). Upon reviewing the information featured on the website, Jennifer decided to complete the online referral form. 

Jennifer mentioned the training and support she received through GVRA has been remarkable. “I’m especially grateful that providers came to my home to help me learn through Personal Adjustment Counseling,” she stated. “I had to re-learn everything. My anxiety levels were so high---not knowing what the future holds. Without my nursing career and my car what was I supposed to do? How could I raise my kids? I did not want to stay home and be catered to. You know, before I participated in Personal Adjustment Counseling, I failed so many times at personal and work-related tasks. I cried when no one was looking.”

Personal Adjustment Counseling was just what Jennifer needed to regulate her anxiety. She realized she had to slow down and devote adequate time to learning. Upon completing the training, she now completes tasks more quickly.  

While Jennifer’s GVRA case was open, she received Technology Access Training, which enabled her to learn how to use a computer and an iPhone. She participated in Orientation and Mobility Training that introduced her to bus routes and navigating public transit. Finally, she received Vision Rehab Training that focused on helping her complete household tasks such as cooking and doing laundry.  

From Seeking Support to Offering it, Jennifer Rises to the Challenge

When Jennifer completed her GVRA training in 2025, she was so impressed with the quality of services she had received as a client that she wanted to become employed by GVRA. She believed a counselor position at the agency would be a good fit for her because she loves helping people. She learned, however, that accepting a position at GVRA would take time and perseverance. 

One day Jennifer noticed an opening for a blind-low vision counselor had been posted on the Team Georgia Careers website and decided to apply. GVRA Blind Services Coordinator Shirley Robinson conducted a phone interview with Jennifer, but she did not receive a job offer. Six months later, Jennifer re-applied for a counselor position, interviewed, and received an offer. 

Jennifer says serving as a blind-low vision counselor has been amazing. Initially, she reported to Specialty (Sensory) Supervisor Jessica Freeman, but now she reports to Blind-Low Vision Supervisor Wytincia Swindle.

The moment Jennifer joined the team, Freeman noticed she had brought something special to the table. “As her supervisor, I had the opportunity to support her transition into the role, but it was truly a team effort,” she explained. “Jennifer worked closely with colleagues like Moses Little and Shirley Robinson, as well as her unit team, to build strong relationships.” 

In the College Park office Jennifer works alongside Jabari Strozier, and together they have created a supportive partnership. They step in for one another when needed and share ideas to help move cases forward while keeping the client’s best interest at the forefront.

In her role as a blind-low vision counselor, Jennifer’s lived experience adds a powerful layer to her work. She connects with clients in a way that is reassuring, helping them to feel understood. Jennifer balances empathy with practical guidance, which allows her to support clients in a way that is compassionate and effective. Jennifer guides her clients through the vocational rehabilitation process with confidence, helping them understand barriers to employment. She also introduces them to blind training services such as Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Technology Assistance Training (TAT), and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT). Her ability to connect these services to real-life outcomes is creating a meaningful impact for the individuals she serves. 

Jennifer Helps Others emerge from The Cave 

Jennifer is fond of Plato's allegory of The Cave. In it, Plato describes prisoners chained to walls in a cave who mistake shadows on a wall for reality. Conversely, a freed prisoner who escapes into the sunlight experiences true reality. “I like this allegory because in a way, I was in the cave with uncertainty and only believing what my limited vision told me. Now, thanks to GVRA and my counselors Jana Lee and Angela Williams, I have made it out of the cave. As a counselor, it is time for me to go back into the cave and help the next blind person escape.”  

Blind-Low Vision Counselor Jana Lee indicated she has worked closely with Jennifer for nearly two years. During that time, they explored her vocational goals, including her transition from working as a nurse to pursuing a career as a vision rehabilitation therapist. “Through this experience, I have seen Jennifer make significant progress. She has developed strong skills in assistive technology, including effective use of Job Access With Speech (JAWS), a screen-reading software for Windows, which has enhanced her ability to work independently,” Lee said. “My interactions with Jennifer have always been positive. She is pleasant to work with, highly motivated, and truly inspirational. She approaches challenges with determination and maintains a positive attitude.”

Jennifer’s Lived Experience is Key to Her Success

Lee confirmed Jennifer’s journey to become a counselor is a powerful example of resilience and dedication. According to Lee, Jennifer has transformed her experiences into a source of strength that benefits others. She continues to inspire individuals who are navigating similar challenges.

“I am thankful to everyone who had a hand in my success---I am not an island,” Jennifer exclaimed. “Blind Services Coordinator Shirley Robinson and Team Lead Moses Little have been so supportive,” she said. “I could not have asked God for a better team than GVRA’s Blind-Low Vision team. Because I have gone through the system as a GVRA client, I empathize with my clients in every step of their journey.”

Robinson has trained Jennifer on blind rehabilitation tactics, determining case staffing, and handling case management. Currently, she confers with Jennifer once a week to staff cases. “Jennifer’s background as a nurse and a vision rehabilitation therapist makes her an ideal fit as a blind-low vision counselor,” said Robinson. “Her medical background, rehabilitation teaching experience, and lived experiences equip her not only with the requisite knowledge base, but also the ability to empathize with her clients. I am certain she has a bright future working at GVRA.”

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• Success Story