Through Our Eyes: You Are Not A Failure

“Just because your eyes fail, does not mean you are a failure.” Bozenna Olson.

Some couples meet at a young age, maybe high school sweethearts. Some might meet later in life through friends, at social gatherings, or these days maybe on a dating app. The parents of Bozenna Olson met in what could be described as the least romantic setting possible, in a work camp in Nazi Germany during the second world war.

At the conclusion of the war, they would marry and have three children, their middle child would be named Bozenna Sabinna Olson.

Bozenna was born with extreme near sightedness as well as glaucoma, which causes elevated pressure in the eye as well as severe vision loss or complete blindness.

A new world

At age 5, Bozenna’s parents would venture to the United States. Bozenna describes the first 10 years in the country as being rather difficult, and while she says it was easier for her then her parents due to the ability of children to adapt, she still struggled to fit in. She had very few friends and was the butt of many jokes due to her heavy accent and difficulty pronouncing some words.

“I had to speak polish at home and learn English outside the home,” says Bozenna.

Speaking on her experiences at public school at a young age, Bozenna said “I clammed up and didn’t want to open my mouth. I promised myself that when I learned English, no one is going to step on my feet.”

Bozenna has kept this promise to herself, as she would grow to lead a rich fulfilling life. She would begin her professional career as a department clerk in a Kansas City school, eventually moving up to “Accountability Technician” placing her in charge of the National Meals program, which manages free and reduced meals to the entire Kansas City school district.

She was married for 30 years, until her husband passed. She would be a mother of three, as well as a grandmother of five. Bozenna retired from the school district at age 60, but after several years of retirement she yearned to return to the work force.

“I needed to keep my mind busy. I didn’t want to just sit in front of the TV for the rest of my life,” says Bozenna when speaking on her return to work. She started working for Alphapointe at age 65 and is still here 12 years later, spending her days in our call center.

Throughout the course of Bozenna’s life, her vision has gradually diminished. When speaking on this decrease in her vision, Bozenna said with a laugh. “I became blind enough to be considered legally blind, and it was recommended that I contact Alphapointe.”

When asked about the emotional impact of the dwindling of her vision in her later years, Bozenna stated: “The glass is half full, not half empty. I still can see, and there are other people who are far worse than I am. You must be grateful for what you have and learn to deal with it.”

Helping others

While Bozenna still retains some very limited vision, her greatest emotional struggle is knowing when to ask for help, and know that she must, that there is no shame in doing so. But she doesn’t want for her vision to return. Rather, she says “I wouldn’t ask for perfect vision, just enough to be able to help people who can’t see as well as I can.”

Although Bozenna became legally blind much later in her life, instead of descending into self-pity, she adapted and found other ways to live her life.

“Miss Sabinna” as she is known by her co-workers, is unanimously beloved by all. At age 77, she never misses a day of work, and comes with a smile, a positive attitude, a kind word for everyone, and sometimes baked goods of the most culinary delight. From Germany to the United States, to being a career woman, wife, mother and grandmother, as well as dealing with the challenges that accompanied the decrease of her vision, Miss Sabinna has the wisdom that comes with living a life as full as her own.

So if you ever find yourself in Alphapointe contact services, sit down and have a conversation with this spectacular woman, let her tell you about her life, and I highly recommend you try her peanut butter brownies, they are a favorite of mine.