Blinded Marine Goes the Distance

Great news from a great friend: Since he was blinded by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, retired U.S. Marine Corps serviceman Michael Jernigan has gone the distance - returning to college, advocating for wounded warriors, getting married, and building a vibrant, active life of service to others. We couldn't be more excited to post some good news that Mike and his wife, Leslie, have just sent along. I thought that I would let you know that Leslie and I have both graduated from the University of South Florida.  Leslie finished her degree in psychology and I finished my degree in history. Leslie will be transferring to Kyser University in Lakeland Florida and enrolling in a program to receive a second bachelor's degree in dietetics.  She would like to become a registered dietician.  I will be starting a full time job next week at Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. as a Community Outreach Coordinator.  I am looking forward to going back to work with such a great organization. We have finally done it!  The degrees are finished and we are both moving on to different positions.  I think that Leslie will be a great dietician and I know that I will thrive with SEDGI.  We hope that you are doing well and I look forward to hearing from you.  Thank you for all of your help over the last five years.  I could not have finished my degree without Learning Ally / RFBD and of course, Barbara Zustovich. I still remember sitting in that presentation that you made to the Blinded Veterans Association in 2007 out in New Mexico.  I was thinking that I will not need this organization.  Little did I know that only a couple of months later I would be calling frantically to get my textbooks!  Again, thank you for all of your help. Semper Fidelis, Mike Jernigan