Blind With Vision

          Jeffrey Bryant is an incredible man with a phenomenal story to tell of tragedy and triumph. He is the true definition of an overcomer. Having lost his vision twice Jeffrey now uses his experiences as building blocks to help teach and encourage others who are visually impaired. 

 

         At age 9 Jeffrey began having issues with his eyes. When his dad took him to the doctor the tests revealed he had retinitis pigmentosa. A rare inherited degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment. As a result, he would soon be blind. After hearing such devastating news his dad simply dropped him back off at school and it was never discussed again. Completely heartbroken Jeffery sat back at his desk, closed his eyes, and tried to imagine what his new found future would feel like. When he went home that evening he walked around his room attempting to imagine what his new reality would be like. As he grew his vision began to deteriorate more and more. It began with him not being able to see at night, then his peripheral vision was affected. Having been raised in church he continuously asked God to heal him. Thinking God would surely answer his prayers one day so he could see like everyone else he continued to press his way forward.

 

        Down the aisle, he went marrying the woman of his dreams who then became his second set of eyes. During their marriage, he gradually lost his vision altogether and began seeing the world through her eyes. As time went on she became weary and called it quits. Leaving the relationship Jeffrey devastatingly cried out to God again, “God how can you take my vision twice in one lifetime?”

 

          First naturally than through his wife’s eyes. Now alone and struggling to adjust he fell into a state of darkness that only his faith could bring him out of. Depressed, feeling worthless, and having lost all confidence in himself he completely gave up on life while hiding his situation from others. During this time Jeffrey also lost his home, car, and job. Being at wit's end convince that God wasn’t hearing his prayers he started feeling as if life wasn’t worth living. He then tried to take his own life thinking it would be a lot easier than being in complete darkness 365 days out of the year. It was at the lowest point of his life that he heard a small voice saying, "I love you! My love endures forever" "No you don’t! How can you love me and not answer my prayers?" he asked God. "Because I can use you being blind just like I can use a man with 20/20 vision."

 

        Jeffrey began to fast, pray and dig into his word restrengthening his relationship with God. God then spoke to him again saying, "Now I am healing you, you go out and heal other people. The ones that have low self-esteem, those that are visually impaired with no self-confidence, and those that are blind and angry because of where they are in their condition. Go out and help them!" It was then that Blind With Vision was born.