By Andy Dahn
BLOOMINGTON – Losing his vision during the Iraq War hasn’t stopped Steve Baskis from mountain climbing, skiing and traveling the world. The founder of the Blind Endeavors Foundation is now bringing his mission to Bloomington.
The war veteran will hold an open house at Blind Endeavors Downtown Bloomington location on Aug. 7 as part of Bloomington’s “F1rst Fr1day” event. Baskis said the event will introduce the community to the foundation, which uses presentations to increase general awareness about the accessible technology, medical advancements and adaptive recreation for people with physical and mental disabilities. He said he looks forward to working with the community and giving presentations at a variety of locations.
“I especially want to present at the schools,” Baskis said. “I can inform students who are studying to do something and make them aware of how accessibility and other things like technology can assist people with disabilities.”
Baskis lost his vision during a roadside bomb attack in 2008. He hopes coming to Bloomington will lead to new inventions for the disabled.
“Things like developing software or a mechanical device to incorporate adaptive technology or to make it broad so that someone like me can use it,” said Baskis. “Those things can change people’s lives. So if there’s are kind of company or business or organization in the area that we can collaborate with, it would be great.”
The mission of the foundation is something very special to Baskis.
“I’ve wanted to give back to the people who have helped me over the years,” Baskis said. “I also want to educate and make people more aware of what is possible moving forward.”
The open house will be held from 5-8 p.m. More information on Blind Endeavors and Steve’s story can be found at blindendeavors.org.
Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].
