The corner stone of positive lives begins with positive change. Thus, the first Touch goal for the company is to raise awareness of who are the blind and visually impaired, and what are their needs. To achieve that goal, Kim designed, produced, and patented a Braille Awareness Pin. The ribbon style pin features black raised dots on a white background. The dots spell out the word “Braille” in grade 2 Braille code. The pins are being sold to individuals and organizations throughout New Jersey and on her website.

On October 3, Kim will also be exhibiting and selling the pins at the NJ Library Fall Festival for the Blind and Handicapped in Trenton. Kim’s goal is to make this pin as recognizable as the pink Breast Cancer pin. She plans to allocate funds raised from the sale of the ribbons to organizations that assist the blind as well as to develop and produce products that will improve and enrich their lives.

Kim feels her “vision” is timely. Besides this year being New Jersey’s 1st year to slate a Blind Awareness Month, it is the 200th anniversary of Louis Braille’s touch reading system. This past spring the US Mint released the Louis Braille commemorative coin to further solidify Braille code as a recognized symbol of a lifestyle which will lead to revolutionary changes in business and commerce in the mass markets.

To that end Kim’s next project for Braille Brands will be to develop, produce, and introduce Braille and large print product labels that manufacturers and retailers can use to increase product accessibility to the blind and visually impaired.

It has been six years since Kim began her journey. She lives alone in Kendall Park. She says, “I have come full circle from sight to sight loss. I’m healthy and my life is full and superior to the one I lived before. This experience has helped discover who I really am – a woman with a vision and a mission.”

ELLEN SILVERMAN, FREELANCE COPYWRITER Contact: 908-781-2001; www.copythatgetsresults.com