With These Hands at SALB

Jesus Hernandez-Employee of the Year

Jesus Hernandez, a man that is never without his “smile”. I will start with a quote from Jesus….”If you throw sugar at someone you get sugar back...but if you throw salt, they will throw salt back”. The man with the best smile at the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind lives his life by that rule.

Jesus was born in Guadalajara, Mexico forty-four years ago and lost his eyesight when he was three. Jesus was playing outside with his brothers when suddenly and without warning his eyesight was gone. He was totally blind for six months and then regained a very little bit in his right eye. The doctors diagnosed Jesus with Retinitis Pigmentosa.

When Jesus started school it was a very difficult time – his parents did not have the money for special tutoring and the school system did not offer any help. By third grade, with the teachers ignoring him and the kids making fun, Jesus dropped out and worked with his father on their small ranch...milking the cows and feeding the chickens. Jesus mostly stayed on the ranch where he felt most comfortable, but he discovered he could follow the road by the ranch to the little convenience store by listening to the sound of the trees. Jesus told me every different type of tree makes a different sound.

Jesus’ older brother, Hector, lived in Houston and when Jesus was fourteen his brother sent for him hoping that the doctors at the University of Houston could help his little brother. So Jesus went to the consulate in Guadalajara and received a three week Visa. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much the doctors could do– they put Jesus on an alternate regimen of Vitamin A and B and he did retain the little vision in his right eye until he was in his twenties.

Jesus did not go back to Mexico after his Visa expired. Although he would be living here illegally, he knew as a blind person – the only hope for any success for him would be to stay in the US. As luck would have it, President Regan passed a bill that any immigrant who entered the country before 1982 was eligible for amnesty. So Jesus, as well as three million illegal immigrants received their resident papers...Jesus remembers that day very clearly, he was there at 5:00 a.m. and number 25 in line.

That wasn’t good enough for Jesus; he wanted to become a citizen – but you had to wait for five years. Jesus’ philosophy is that you speak the language of the country you live – so while he was waiting he went to night school for citizenship– there are 100 questions on the test and Jesus was determined to take the test in English. Ms. Mabel, the teacher, took an instant liking to Jesus and worked with him everyday...Ms. Mabel even went with him when he took the test...and Jesus passed the first time! He remembers that day as if it was yesterday.

Jesus believes that everything comes into your path for a reason – His sister lived in San Antonio and worked as a waitress at Luby’s Cafeteria– she would wait on the same woman every day, Mary Miller. One day while waiting on Ms. Miller a group of blind individuals came in for breakfast and they noted how independent they all were. Jesus’ sister shared with Ms. Miller that she had a brother who was blind. Ms. Miller asked whether he was working. Jesus was not and had never held a job. Ms. Miller volunteered to call the Texas Commission for the Blind and an appointment was set. Jesus came to San Antonio and met with the Commission. They brought him to the San Antonio Lighthouse where there were job openings. Jesus was asked when he would like to start...and he said right now...that was twenty-three years ago. Jesus started on the pencil line but after four weeks they realized he could do more and was taught every aspect of the chin-strap sewing. Ms. Miller was an angel and remained close to the family until she passed away two years ago.

God – the USA – his family, wife Lupe and two children Kimberly 7 and his son Guadalupe 3– mean everything to Jesus. He thanks God every day that he works at the San Antonio Lighthouse. He was able to buy his own home – a life’s dream and he attributes that to the chance he was given at the Lighthouse. He teaches his children that education is something that you use for the rest of your life.

Jesus feels blessed to be here – but we are the blessed ones!!!! Because he throws “sugar” all day long!