Blind teen's dream: Reach for the stars

Disability can't deter astronaut aspirations

Joseph Garcia, Rocky Mountain News

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Many boys dream of being an astronaut when they get older, and Terry Garrett, 18, of Fort Lupton, is no exception.

Ever since he attended space camp in September 2001 and 2002, he aspired to reach the stars - and make history.

His goal: To be the first blind astronaut.

"We got to train like actual astronauts," Garrett said about his space camp experiences, which were tailored for the blind.

"The only accommodations we had were we had scripts to follow and they were in Braille. And the labels above the switches were in Braille."

A recent graduate of the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, Garrett plans on attending the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fall, where he will major in mechanical engineering and minor in aerospace engineering. He said his dream of being an astronaut comes from his spirit of discovery.

"I just like exploring things," he said. "There's a lot that's still left to be discovered, and that's something I want to be a part of."

"Plus it's a challenge," Garrett added. "You have to be in shape. You have to know what you're doing. You can't be a dummy in space.

"It's a challenge for any person, blind or sighted."

"What I love about Terry is his outgoing personality," said Tom Theune, founder of See the Future Fund, which awarded Garrett an $8,000 scholarship. "He's an achiever, he doesn't let things stop him."

But it takes more than just a strong will to succeed, Theune said.

"You have to have people who support what you do."

"I'm really excited for him," said Garrett's mother, Leslie. "He's got huge goals and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes it."

The potential danger of having a son in space is not lost on her.

"I think any parent would be (worried), even if he's sighted," Leslie Garrett said. "If they don't think he's ready, they won't send him up there.

"I don't tell him that he can't do something," she said. "If I'm really concerned I'll tell him to be careful."

Garrett had severe eye problems when he was 3 months old and has been totally blind since he was 10. "I had 22 eye surgeries by then," he said. "It was too much on my eyes."

He wants people to know he doesn't let blindness limit his activities.

"I always try to make new friends," Garrett said. "People are always hesitant with people who are blind.

"I'm trying to make people more aware that I'm not different and that my blindness isn't a reason to categorize me as a different person."