Honoring Our Influencers: From Goalball to Life Goals

As The Dot Experience continues to develop, the Influencer Campaign has provided individuals with the opportunity to share authentic stories about how their lives were changed by the people around them. The fundraising initiative encourages individuals and groups to honor someone who has made a difference in their lives. With a $250 donation, anyone can honor an influencer and have their name included in a tactile display in The Dot Experience.

Joe Strechay is a pioneer in education, a public speaker, a producer and consultant for television, and a person who is blind. Joe completed his undergraduate degree in Communications and Media before spending his graduate work specifically focused on blindness and teaching children who are blind or low vision. “I’m a person who is blind, and my mom is also blind (from later in her life) so I got involved because I was trying to impact education for students,” said Joe.

Joe also stepped into the media world, working on shows like Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix, See on Apple TV, and All the Light We Cannot See, also on Netflix. He has worked behind the scenes on many influential shows and films that depict blindness in the media. However, before he stepped into the many impressive roles, he was impacted by Michael Elliot. “Michael and I met during my first semester in graduate school at Florida State University. My friend, Mickey, who was in the program at Florida State as well, said ‘there’s this Paralympic sport. I think you should try it out. And I want to introduce you to someone.’ He wanted to introduce me to Michael Elliott,” said Joe.

Michael played goalball with Joe and many of their other friends, encouraging him to show up, play the sport, go to the gym, and really push his own boundaries. Joe found a love for athletics and quickly built a close friendship with Michael that navigated past sports. Throughout their time together, Michael has mentored Joe through new careers, job opportunities, and Joe’s transition from low vision to complete blindness.

“Michael’s the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back. Like, his own back, if you needed a shirt. And he’s always trying to help people who are blind or low vision, and people in general. But really, I would say he’s impacted more people who are blind or low vision than most of the people I know in the world. He’s constantly helping people out, and connecting people, and finding out information for them. Whether it’s technology, whether it’s something like independent life, he’s that guy,” said Joe.

As Joe has moved through life, he has remained close to Michael, turning to him for advice on new steps in his career, and as a friend. Michael helped to direct Joe to his passions in life and develop a new kind of discipline and confidence that he needed to pursue his dreams. “He changed my life, definitely. He impacted it and influenced me in my life, my career, and just who I am as a person who’s blind,” said Joe.

A donation of $250 ensures the legacy of your influencer will forever be a part of The Dot Experience. Honor your Influencer(s) anytime throughout 2024. Learn more about The Dot Experience and other ways you can support APH.

Please contact Development@aph.org for any additional questions