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Interview
Harry David Kowal
Media Associates & photoGRAPHICs
Graphic Design & Multimedia Company
Web design, printed flyers, brochures, CD/DVD Presentations and promotional concepts
www.hdkowal.com
harry@hdkowal.com
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?
I was born 59 years ago in Woodbury, New Jersey. My father died from an accident at work when I was 14 months old. I had no siblings and my mother did not remarry until after I left home, which I did in my teens by joining the US Army. Growing up in the sixties was a time of turmoil and change, but it was also one of new ideas and news areas of study. It was in the Army that I trained and worked in Electronics.
I have three wonderful children who are all grown and on their own. They have given me four fantastic grand children. Because of their location I do not see them very often.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOU HAVE HAD TO OVERCOME?
Wow, this is a loaded question. At first I wanted to say it was becoming disabled, resulting in the loss of my van, home and many personal items which I cherished. The entire process of coming to terms with my own limitations, my abilities vs. my disabilities is wrapped up in that event. The income loss going from $65K to less then 20% of that on a fixed income was also hard, but you said the biggest obstacle. Recently my wife of 36 years decided she no longer wanted to be married. After two years I agreed to give her the divorce. This ended just a few months ago. And while still fighting health problems my only relative, except for my children, my mother died.
I can honestly say the biggest obstacle that I have to overcome is how I see myself. Brought up thinking your worth is measured by what you do, what you earn and what you have, I sank into depression, felt a lack of self worth and loneliness. Getting out of this frame of mind has been the biggest obstacle, and it is on-going. There are many times throughout the day, the week, and the month that I think about what has happened.
Then, I meet other people who help me. One in peculiar was Mark Marvel of Blind Ambitions Groups in Dallas, Texas. Mark lost his vision a few year back, had a kidney transplanted, had a pacemaker put in, and recently lost his right foot due to an infection. Mark also lives with diabetes and has recently been admitted to the hospital with an infection in his other foot from an injury.
About three or four years ago Mark asked me to help him with his web site. Until that time I had done very little beyond dealing with my depression and coming to terms with my proverbial “lot in Life”.
Mark’s encouraged me, not just by what he said, but in what he did and how he lived his life. I began to think about my life and found that I had limited myself with the way I was thinking. As I started helping him to help others, he helped me help myself.
My greatest obstacle was dealing with the things life throws at you, sometime over time and sometimes all at once, that can seem too much to bear. By helping others, being thankful for what I do have, and thanking God for the opportunities He has given me, I’ve found the strength to overcome the obstacles that, in my own life, had almost made me give up.
CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE MORE ON YOUR CURRENT OCCUPATION?
I worked many years as a commercial photographer and graphic designer. Along with that I have years of experience with computer work that I have expanded into the fields of multimedia and some animation. Not being able to work part time or full time I decided I would do what I could with these skills. I create brochures, Web sites, and CD/DVD presentations. Mainly I am focused on nonprofit organizations and recently have been helping The Blind Ambitions Groups in Dallas and the Alice Givens Foundations in Texas. I have also worked with small businesses and friends.
My goal is, through the gifts God has given me, to provide a service that help others, who in tern are helping others. It’s a ‘pass it on’ type of philosophy.
DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMMUNITIES?
Disabled, but not blind myself, 99% of my work for non-profit organizations has been working with the blind or visually impaired, this is where I have most of my experience. Because of this, I have learned a great deal about working with others. I’ve also discovered a lot about myself.
Never give up. You are not alone. There may times when you feel alone, but you are not. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are others, who by helping someone else, are helped themselves, as in my case.
And most of all… help someone. Reach out to someone who is going through what you have gone through, or help someone that you can relate to. Remember what situations you have come from and that someone has helped you.
Sighted, blind, white, black, rich, poor, we are all in this life together. We have more similarities than differences, so come together and work together. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Do for others the way you would want someone to do for you. And, never ever give up. You will never know just what that person might do with what you have given him or her, or who they may in turn help, unless you take the first step.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT?
Don’t be afraid of trying something new. Think outside the box. Don’t always look at the way something used to be done but rather start backwards. Think,”Okay, given the skills and talents I do have, how can I accomplish the same goal and maybe even do it better?”
Remember you know what you can and cannot do; the person on the other side of the table sees you as handicapped and maybe even a liability. It is up to you to prove to them that you can become an important, active part of the team.
Sure, there will be problems, but that’s an important part of life, solving those problems, learning from them and moving on.
The confidence that you project at the meeting must answer all their questions, and if you sense there are still things not said, don’t be afraid to address then right then and there.
Show confidence. (You can still be scared and concerned.) Maybe you could say how important working for this company is to you, that it is a lifelong desire to work for them and you’re sorry if the nervousness shows, but it means a lot to you to be given this chance.
In all things you do be honest, truthful, and believe in yourself. (And, never ever give up!)
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