ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Jay Blake, the only blind crew chief in auto racing, spoke to the Anniston Army Depot workforce Oct. 13 during the annual Disability Employment Awareness luncheon.
A crowd of about 170 turned out for the event, which was held at the Berman Varner House.
A choral and instrumental ensemble from the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind performed several songs during the event, assisted by interpreters from the school.
Blake lost his senses of sight, taste and smell following an industrial accident in 1997.
May 22, 1997, according to Blake, was just like any other Thursday. He went to work at a transportation company not realizing he wouldn't return home that night.
He was working on a tire when it exploded in his face. He was rushed to a hospital in Boston.
"Three and a half weeks later, I walked out of the hospital," said Blake. "My entire world had changed forever."
Blake said he quickly realized he still had a passion for being a mechanic and began to teach himself how to work on cars without his sight.
This led him to the five tools he shared with the workforce, which Blake said everyone should have in their life's toolbox.
Blake said he learned he needed a positive attitude.
"Every day you wake up, we have two choices - it's really that simple - it can be a good day or a bad day," he said.
He found a positive attitude energized him and those around him and made other people want to be around him.
To achieve all his dreams, he also needed to learn.
Education became an important tool for Blake as he learned to operate in his new, sightless world.
"It's all about having an open mind and being willing to learn," he told the crowd, adding that education also gives each individual the ability to pass on knowledge.
He found he needed to have a passion and a purpose in life to work toward. For him, that passion was the same one he had as a child - wanting to work on a race car.
In 1999, he established Follow A Dream, a non-profit organization which displays the power of positive thinking through racing in the National Hot Rod Association.
To achieve that dream, it took a lot of self-determination.
"There is only one person who can stoop you and that's you," Blake said. "You can do whatever you put your mind to, as long as you are determined to do it."
Blake acknowledged that achieving dreams often means learning from failures, but reminded the audience that failures should be learning experiences, not the end.
He also learned to rely on others and that, sometimes, success comes when you work as a team.
"I realized, walking into my garage one morning, successful people don't do it alone," said Blake. "When we come together as a team, nothing is more powerful."
He stressed that a team relies upon the strengths and unique abilities of each member.
"Believe in yourself, think positively and remember, do not let your fear stop you. Let your dreams drive you," said Blake.
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