Knives, Fire, Chaos Don't Worry Blind Chef

(CBS)  Some of us have trouble getting anything done in the kitchen, even with perfect eyesight. But CBS News correspondent Cynthia Bowers met an amazing young chef in Chicago who cooks up a storm - despite the fact that she's been blind since birth.

With a recipe of high heat, razor sharp knives, and all the kitchen commotion, how could someone totally blind, like Laura Martinez, make it as a chef?

Well, as Martinez put it, "I don't take no for an answer, and I just do it."

That desire earned her a place as at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago.

Knives, fire - Martinez admits with a laugh that "it's scary."

But she shows no fear. She may be shy, but in the kitchen, she's in her element.

"It's amazing to watch - her skill with a knife," said chef Michael Shafkowitz of Le Cordon Bleu.

Martinez has earned top marks from her instructors.

"I know she can't see, but the sounds, the smell, and her touch are amplified," Shafkowitz said. "It gives me chills when I think about her cooking, and what she does every day. It blew my mind away."

Platitudes aside, when it came time to landing that all-important internship, Martinez's was at the Chicago lighthouse cafeteria - a center for the blind.

Martinez has expressed concern about whether a restaurant will be willing to hire her.

"Oh of course. She will face that discrimination. It's a reality," said Lighthouse director Janet Szlyk. "That shouldn't be the case. It's grossly unfair."

Szlyk says that while the U.S. jobless rate hovers around 10 percent, "the blindness community has been living with a 70 percent unemployment rate."

"We're very vision oriented as a society. And the assumption is - the very false assumption is - if you can't see, you can't perform as well," she said.

But word about Martinez's talents began to filter out and reached the kitchen of famed Chicago chef Charlie Trotter. CBS News arranged a surprise visit.

"I've heard all about you, heard you make incredible food," Trotter told her. "I'm so proud of you. You're just doing great. You're doing great."

He added, "You've got the gift. I'm telling you right now."

But what came next was a total shock - a job offer.

"So you're going to work for me, right?" Trotter said. "I'm not gonna let any other chefs in town steal you."

Martinez's reply: "That would be an honor."

This totally blind chef now has a clear vision of her future.

[Debbie4q7]

Dear Tara,

I hear you. Would you be surprised that most if not all of the blind and visually impaired people I know felt that they would rather die than suffer with blindness? The thing of it is, we didn't die. You can wish for it, but unless you are really emotionally disturbed, you're never going to take your own life, so where does that leave us?

We start where you are right now. Anger and denial are the place we begin, and we swear that's where we'll stay. Hell, to some degree, I'm there right now, but through the clenched teeth and fists, our inner survival instincts kick in all by themselves. You aren't really aware they are happening as they go on in the background of your psyche. Then one day you have what you think is a moment of weakness, but what it really is is your mind letting you know it's safe for you to take in just a little of this. It's a fleeting moment where you might look through a flyer someone gave you, or look up a phone listing for a specialist, or even dare to Google. The first several times go as quickly as they came and you force yourself to think of something else. This process continues over time, and surprisingly, one day you have an acceptance and determination you never in a million years thought you would have. One day, and I quote Anais Nin now ..."And the day came when the risk it took to remain tightly closed in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom."

I am telling you that there so many people and organizations out there who are ready and willing to help you. I am telling you that the National Federation of the Blind is an excellent place to start. I am telling you that I am 9 years older than you and just learned to use a computer, cook with little to no vision, and use a cane. I am telling you that with little to no vision I raised two beautiful girls and was extremely active in the PTA. I am telling you that I worked as well as took care of my home and husband. I am telling you I attend school and help other students to do things I didn't think I could do myself. I am telling you that people forget constantly that I can't see. I am telling you all this with the knowledge that you don't care because you are thinking "Good for you, but I'm not doing it!" I am telling you this because I know that no matter how hard you try not to, your mind is hearing it and keeping it for you for the time you are ready to hear it. I am telling you this because I am you, and I care.

Compassionately,

Debbie

[NB62]

My sincere apologies Tara Deck for misspelling your name

[NB62]

Tara Dick

Im sorry,but I just dont share in your optimism.I am 47 years old and
3 years ago was dianosed with an eye disease called retinoschisis that may cause me to lose my eyesight sometime in the future.This thought terrifies the living hell out of me.The woman in this story has been blind from birth so she has never known what it is like to see.I have had eyesight since the day I was born and the thought of having to live in a world of darkness is something I dont want to do.I dont want to live anymore if I cannot see anymore so suicide is my plans.

[someday2]

I am sorry to hear that you are having a hard time accepting your diagnosis. It is understandable that you are unable to comprehend what your life would be like without vision especially at your age (at your prime). Like most of us who have had vision our entire life it is scary to think about a future in "the dark" so to speak.

I don't know if you have looked at joining a group for the visually impaired such as the National Federaton of the Blind or your Local Lion's Club. There are many people leading these groups who were once visioned and lost it to injury or disease.

Before you do something permanent, like cutting your life short, you should call your local organization and talk to them. Their stories are truly amazing. I have spoken to several members in our local NFB and Lions Club because my son is legally blind and I had a hard time dealing with it and the "what ifs" and "How will he" questions. It changed my perspective because it wasn't just one person's story it was dozens of people some who have overcome their vision problems and some who are still trying.

Anyways what I'm trying to say is that you should talk to someone who has experienced what you are going through.

[basicallygood]

There are so many wonderful organizations that can help you, not to mention all of the new technology out there to assist the visually impaired community. Losing your sight is very scary - but I have read so many inspirational stories since I started volunteering. It's not a barrier or a handicap unless you allow it to be! There are blind chefs, artists, photographers, musicians - many of which have NOT been blind since birth. Change is always difficult - but it's never a reason to give up hope! Please hang in there and check out some of these organizations. Talk to someone about what is going on. I know it would make a huge difference in your perspective :) -- Best of Luck!!

[basicallygood]

The sighted community is running out of excuses! The visually impaired community continues to prove there is nothing they can't do. In this year alone we have witnessed the historical accounts of the first blind marching band at the Rose Bowl Parade and the first blind olympic skier (GO McKeever!!!). Legislation is also making efforts to increase braille literacy. What wonderful times to live in if you are blind!

Tara Deck
http://www.solutionsinsight.org
A public education program of
Braille Institute