New Book Reveals Amazing Story of an Extraordinary Woman's Triumph Over a Major Setback

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Virginia Jacko was a successful executive at Purdue University for more than two decades but in the late 1990's she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. She was slowly but surely going to become completely blind.  She reveals how she overcame her disability to become one of the nation's most successful non-profit CEOs in her illuminating book, The Blind Visionary, written with Doug Eadie (www.TheBlindVisionary.com).

Virginia, now the president & CEO of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind (www.miamilighthouse.org), has demonstrated just how much one can accomplish despite a major setback such as losing your sight. Within four years of completing her training as a vocational rehabilitation student, Virginia became the first blind president & CEO of the Lighthouse in its 75-year history. After just a few years of taking over the Miami Lighthouse she has more than doubled its revenues and added a number of innovative new programs.  

Under her leadership, the Miami Lighthouse has achieved the coveted four-star ranking from Charity Navigator for the third consecutive year.  Among her many awards are South Florida Business Journal Business Woman of the Year, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Women of Leadership Award, and the Women's Power Caucus Quiet Storm Achiever.

Virginia says her life is fuller now than if she'd kept her sight.  "I was given a chance to really make a tremendous difference in people's lives," she says.  "I didn't choose to be blind, but I am blind and rather than curl up in a ball and dwell on what I lost, I have charged ahead to make a real difference during the time I've been granted."

Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Jose Feliciano says in the foreword:  "Virginia's story is about mustering the courage to take action – to embrace change in the face of a devastating blow. She could have easily been overwhelmed – retreating to her home, disengaging from the world and bemoaning her fate, but she did the very opposite! "

The Blind Visionary shares insight on one woman's courageous journey in the prime of her life into the world of blindness. She shows us how to overcome obstacles on your way to building a more satisfying personal and professional life. The four powerful lessons revealed in The Blind Visionary for creating and living a life of greater personal and professional satisfaction are as follows:

Reaching Out Aggressively:  Cultivate mentors, role models, and potential partners.

Act On Opportunities:  Take action to meet challenges and overcome barriers.

Don't Let Fear Win:  Believe in yourself no matter what the naysayers may tell you.

Keep Things In Perspective:  Keep your ego in check and your sense of humor in tact.

The Blind Visionary reveals a story of drama, inspiration, motivation and good business practice.

SOURCE Planned Television Arts