Charles Miller, a Gainesville, Florida, native, is an outdoors lover. He spends the majority of his time challenging himself to marathons, hiking trails and bike tours. The 58-year-old Army veteran's active lifestyle began after his eyesight failed, leaving him legally blind. With the help of his persistence and the assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Miller's eyesight has encouraged him to see life in a whole new light.
A new outlook on life
Miller told Fox News that he is constantly pushing himself to take on new challenges that he knows he would not have been able to tackle a couple of years ago. His dedication and drive are qualities that also came in handy during his time as an Army Infantry Captain, serving for a total of 27 years.
When his eyesight began to fail, Miller was honorably discharged. He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic disease that slowly deteriorates the retinas, according to EveryJoe. When he returned home, the VA offered him a spot at the blind rehab facility at Birmingham VA Medical Center. Miller decided it was a good idea and moved in.
It was then that he realized he could sit around and let his blindness control his life or move forward and learn to make the most of his situation. He decided that his new challenge should not have the ability to stop him from living.
"If anyone said, 'you can't do that' I would tell them to give me a chance to try it and I'll do it," Miller told Fox News. Miller was never much of an outdoors person before he moved to the VA rehab center, but he started participating in adaptive sports to help himself stay motivated. The VA helped him build up his confidence and drive to be adventurous. "You can work beyond what you thought were your capabilities, if you have the drive and determination to do so," Miller continued. "To be honest, I'm intimidated by the idea of zip lining, but I hope I'll have the opportunity to try it one day."
VA program helps disabled veterans
The Adaptive Sports Program is offered to injured veterans in Washington, D.C., and 28 states. The program began after the VA gave $8 million in funding to create opportunities for vets with disabilities to learn new sports.
According to Bruce Davis, the case manager for the VA Visual Impairment Services, the program has filled those adapting to life after military service with the positivity and motivation to focus on their potential instead of what they can no longer do. He noted that many participants are inspired to become involved in volunteer activities or go back to school or work.
"People at the VA have never treated me like I have a disability, even though I do. I'm exactly like you are, I'm not any better, I'm not any worse," Miller explained to Fox News. "I just have one thing that's different. Everyone has something and mine just happens to be that I can't see."
Miller said that his new love of adventure stems from the feelings he gets when his senses are engaged with his surroundings and his adrenaline is surging. This is when he feels that he can truly see the world again.
He plans on continuing his adventurous hobbies far into the future with plans to ski and snowboard. Miller also likes to take his son and his friends along with him to enjoy his adventures. He noted that he hopes to learn to surf soon, a sport he has never tried before, and is currently training for a 500-mile bike ride to take place in May.