Inner Vision_ The Story of the World s Greatest Blind Athlete

276 Pages·1997·2.277 MB·English

by  Craig MacFarlane

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Page 1
Inner Vision
Page 2
Published by Addax Publishing Group
Copyright © 1997 by Craig MacFarlane
Designed by Randy Breeden
Cover Design by Jerry Hirt Edited by John Lofflin
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher.
For Information address:
Addax Publishing Group
8643 Hauser Drive, Suite 235, Lenexa, KS 66215
ISBN: 1-886110-30-1
Distributed to the trade by Andrews McMeel Publishing
4520 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
MacFarlane, Craig, 1962
Inner vision : the story of the world's greatest blind athelete /
by Craig Mac Farlane with Gib Twyman.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-866110-30-1
1. MacFarlane, Craig, 1962 . 2. Blind athletesCanada-
-Biography. 3. Blind athletesUnited StatesBiography.
I. Twyman, Gib. II. Title.
HV1807.M33A3 1998
362.4´1´092dc21
[B] 97-52666
CIP
Page 3
Inner Vision
The Story of the World's Greatest Blind Athlete
By Craig MacFarlane
with Gib Twyman
Foreword by George Bush
Lenexa, Kansas
Page 4
"Craig has proven you can accomplish anything through hard work, dedication and a lot of spirit."
Wayne Gretzky
"As I've come to know Craig MacFarlane, I'm deeply impressed with his intensity. I know he, too, is
a true champion."
Evander Holyfield
"I can't tell you what a privilege it is to know this fella. He stands as an inspiration to everybody, to
all the kids out there."
Paul Newman
"Just watching his desire to excel and do anything anyone else does - and better - is totally uplifting
to me."
Mario Andretti
"Craig captures his audience with an uplifting message of courage and determination (through) his
positive attitude and zest for life."
David Glass
Chairman & CEO,
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
"Over the years I have had many enjoyable experiences with Craig, from whitewater rafting in West
Virginia to letting him drive my Formula speed boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Craig's not a bad
captain of a boat as long as you don't mind driving in circles!"
David B. Skinner
Regional Leader
Edward Jones
Page 5
"A lot of things that people do in their lives can make a difference for others. Craig's story is an
example of this."
Tim Allen
Actor
"Craig is a hoot, a laugh a minute. I think I know him inside and out. Behind all of the laughter is a
driven guy, the 'ultimate survivor.' I will never forget a one liner he told me after he lost a job, his
marriage, and a home within a thirty day period, 'Wow, am I ever glad that's behind me.'"
Dick Schultz,
Friend and Confidant
St. Petersburg, FL
"For twelve years I've witnessed the energy and inspiration of Craig MacFarlane. Some may look at
Craig and feel sorry for him. I look at Craig and feel a sense of jealous admiration. We all dream of
leaving this world having made it a better place. The irony is that Craig has not only done that, but
actually does it on a daily basis."
Rick Sherman
President/CEO
Fortune Hotels
"Craig is more than a motivational speaker, he is an inspiration to all who hear his words. Many
individuals have the ability to motivate. Few are blessed with the gift to inspire."
Shawn Daily
General Partner
Edward Jones
Page 6
Dedication
To my parents, Joyce and Earl, for always being there for me
and to my son, Dalton, for enriching my life.
Page 7
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements 8
Foreword
10
George Bush
"Winner"
12
James Bruce Joseph Sievers
Chapter One
14
Conquering Mountains
Chapter Two
38
Totally Lost in Skiing
Chapter Three
72
Darkness My New Friend
Chapter Four
92
Brave Little Soldier
Chapter Five
126
My Pride is Showing
Chapter Six
154
Howe I Came to America
Chapter Seven
172
Go Ahead and Jump
Chapter Eight
194
We Are Family
Chapter Nine
212
Music Man
Chapter Ten
232
I Can See for Miles
Afterword
252
Ken Ransom

Page 8
Acknowledgments
When you've lived a life like mine, it's hard to know where to start saying thanks. Here's a
"short" list. No doubt I will accidentally leave out someone who's been important to me in
my life, or important in preparing this book.
Top of the list has to be my employer, Edward Jones Investments. Today Edward Jones
has become a major player in the investment industry. In my heart and mind there's no
company in the financial industry that better serves the needs of the individual investor
from a customer service standpoint, than Edward Jones. Their genuine warmth and
compassion for people of all ages is what impresses me most.
Many people at Edward Jones are important to me. I have to start with Jim Schmidt, who
started me down this path. Dave Lane, Dave Skinner, Shawn Daily, Price Woodward,
Terry Eskind, Barb Dothage and John Philpott are good buddies. Thank you to Becky
Maddox and Greg Spady for all of the times we spent together. Jim Weddle invited me to
become a limited partner and I was deeply honored. I must wholeheartedly thank John
Bachmann for having the vision to create a spot for me on his team. I've enjoyed working
with John Beuerlein, Amy Cox and the rest of the Edward Jones team.
Thanks to all those who helped me achieve one of my greatest accomplishments, passing
the Series 7 exam. This allowed me to become a licensed stockbroker which entailed
eighty-eight hours of audio-cassettes. Let me tell you, whoever wrote the Series 7 book
had no sense of humor. I took the six-hour exam orally. What a test of concentration!
Thankfully, I passed. Edward Jones gave me the opportunity to engage this challenge.
When you accumulate the air miles I do, you have thanks galore for those who help you
rest at night. Start with Rich Sherman, president of Fortune Hotels Trade Winds Resort,
St. Petersburg Beach, one of my favorite places. Steve Shalit, general manager of the
Westin La Paloma in Tucson and Rich Masucci, general manager of the Bethesda,
Maryland Hyatt have always treated me first class. Thanks to the staff of the Skydome
Hotel, Toronto and for the comfort added to my busy schedule by the 100 nights a year or
so that I stay in Marriott Hotels.
Thanks, as well, to David Glass, the outstanding CEO and chairman of Wal-Mart. Thanks
also to Bob Costas who narrated the video of my life.
Thanks to Jon Saraceno of USA Today who introduced me to my