My name is Rusty Rendon. I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I started losing my vision at the age of 13 and ended up attending the California School for the Blind (CSB) for 5 years. While I was at CSB, I did a couple of internships with the San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind. My first internship was in the Adaptations Store doing labeling, shipping packages, working the cash register, customer service, and doing inventory. I learned a lot about how the business is run. My second internship was serving at the front desk of the Lighthouse as the receptionist. It was a lot of fun working the switchboard and greeting people.
After I graduated from high school, I decided to stay on the CSB campus and participate in their apartment living program for a year. This was different from living in the dorm, because I had to shop, cook and clean for myself. I also began to attend Ohlone College and to take regular college courses. It was interesting having professors, as opposed to teachers, and I really enjoyed meeting a lot of new people.
When I graduated from CSB, I decided to apply to The Hatlen Center for the Blind. I knew I needed to fine tune my skills and be in a place where you’re really out on your own, where you make your own decisions and pay your own bills. The Hatlen Center takes independence to a whole new level. I can understand how living on your own can seem frightening, but once you bust a move, you won’t want to stop. For me, learning to manage my finances gave me the confidence that I needed to be out on my own.
I’m grateful to all the agencies in the Bay Area that were there to pick me up, dust me off, and send me on my way. These agencies really have molded me into the best that I can be and I feel like I’m Ready To Go! When I leave The Hatlen Center, I plan to go back to Ohlone College and pursue my goal of becoming an adolescent psychologist and also look for a job.
Rusty Rendon
January, 2010
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My name is Rusty Rendon. I was born and raised in San Jose, California. I started losing my vision at the age of 13 and ended up attending the California School for the Blind (CSB) for 5 years. While I was at CSB, I did a couple of internships with the San Francisco Lighthouse for the Blind. My first internship was in the Adaptations Store doing labeling, shipping packages, working the cash register, customer service, and doing inventory. I learned a lot about how the business is run. My second internship was serving at the front desk of the Lighthouse as the receptionist. It was a lot of fun working the switchboard and greeting people.