Video: Blind Student Seeks Masters

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) A Tennessee native has moved to Mississippi to pursue her masters in rehabilitation counseling. Sandra Bullins is blind and hopes to encourage other people who either are born with, or suddenly find themselves with a disability.

Sandra Bullins has been totally blind for 13 years. After receiving her degree in sociology and psychology in Tennessee, Sandra decided she wanted to further her education by pursuing a masters so she can counsel others who have been in her shoes.

“I’ve been in the situation where I have looked at someone and said ‘you have no idea what I’ve been through.’ If someone with a disability or someone who was losing their sight was to look at me as their rehabilitation counselor, and say ‘you don’t understand what it’s like’ I’d say ‘yes I do, I was there’,” said Bullins.
After losing her sight during a medical mishap, Sandra had to learn to perform daily tasks completely from scratch. She says it’s not uncommon to encounter people who don’t know how to react to her unique way of living.
“I think education is a great cure for ignorance. Ignorance not being a bad- it’s just when you don’t understand something.”
Sandra isn’t the only one who’s found her home at MSU. The university specializes in accommodating the visually impaired through a mentoring program that provides work experience for blind students.
“The disability services- absolutely wonderful people up there. They understand. And everyone I’ve talked to has been so helpful and so kind. And willing to go out of their way. ”
While many masters students are seeking a higher salary or career success, Sandra is looking to serve a demographic that needs her help and experience.
“When I started school my desire was to give back. I was helped so much that I wanted to go into the field so I could help others.”

Sandra now lives in Columbus with her husband and grandson.

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