QUE PASA
Newsletter of the National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico
September 2017
Representative Jimmie Hall
by Peggy Chong
"I choose to have a full life," said Representative Jimmie Hall in a conversation we had this summer. Jimmie is not legally blind, but Macular Degeneration has made an impact on his life and caused him to change the way he approaches a few things. Jimmie has not slowed down in the least or stepped back from the things he enjoys doing.
In 2002, Jimmie learned that, just as his parents had learned from their eye doctor about themselves approximately thirty years before, Jimmie had Dry Macular Degeneration (MD), an eye condition that can take away the vision of many older Americans. It was a diagnosis he was expecting. Almost all of his close-up vision is gone. His distance vision is still OK, but decreasing slowly over time.
While in their sixties, both his parents were diagnosed with MD, his father with dry like himself and his mother, wet. Mom lost all of her sight, while Dad lost almost all of his sight. His parents were role models for him in how they handled their loss of vision, both emotionally and philosophically. Today, his dad, at age 93, still cares for his livestock and does many chores around the ranch that younger men with full vision have given up doing.
Jimmie Charles Hall was born into a ranching family almost seventy years ago in McCamey, Texas. He was a Second Lieutenant in the Army in the 1970's. He earned his BS and MA degrees in Animal Science from West Texas State University, now West Texas A and M. In 1977, he went into the banking business at the Farm Credit Bank of Texas, excelling at all levels until he took the position of President of the Production Credit Association of New Mexico. He held that position from 1989-2001, and then he decided to get into politics.
The diagnosis of MD was not a factor in his decision to leave the bank. The bank was being merged, and it was just the right time for him to leave. He decided to run for the District 28 House seat for the 2004 election year. In making this decision, the only consideration that he gave his vision loss was that he knew he would need to select the right tools for the job.
Jimmie does not advertise his vision loss, nor does he hide it. When he needs to read something, he asks for the document to be sent to him via email so he can use magnification to read it. He has been able to get almost 90% of the documents, reports, files and presentations on-line, making it easy for him to carry out his duties as a State Representative. If someone asks about his vision loss, he tells them, but that is not why he is up there in Santa Fe.
When it comes to adaptive technologies, he has gone in search of tools that work for him. The first place he looked for magnification was at Holman's, a technology company in Albuquerque that specializes in surveying and mapping services. There he purchased a $10 magnifier and a $40 magnifier that he took home to use for reading print. He has researched and tried a few other magnification devices since then. Some work, many just go back in their box and in a drawer. When he finds something that is portable and small, he stays with it, not looking to buy the newest model with bells and whistles he does not need. The magnifiers come in handy when tying knots in the fishing lines when he is out fishing with his granddaughters.
He uses magnification in his office at the Roundhouse, at home, and at work here in Albuquerque to handle all of his reading. When wanting to know the votes of his colleagues on the floor of the House, he pulls out his binoculars to read the board. He has found that paying a lot of money for some tool to address his vision loss is not necessary. What is important is to look at everything with an open mind and ask questions: What does this mainstream product do well, and what does it not do well? How can I adapt it for my needs? A while back, he saw yellow tinted clip-on sunglasses in a catalogue, and he got a pair. They cut the glare for him very well when outside, so he ordered a dozen more.
Most legislators know that if an issue or legislation regarding the deaf or blind arises, Jimmie already knows about it or is a part of it. One of his particular interests is helping deaf children get a Cochlear Implant to be able to hear. He also monitors similar technologies for the blind, but they are not really here yet. Jimmie has championed legislation for the School for the Blind in Alamogordo.
He no longer drives at night at the suggestion of his doctor. When he is up in Santa Fe, this is not a big deal, as he stays at the La Fonda Hotel and walks the three blocks to the Roundhouse each day. If there is a night function or one that will run late into the dark hours, no problem. Jimmie calls Uber.
Jimmie may lose all of his sight, or he may not. If it happens, then it happens. There will come a time when he will have to give up his restricted driver's license, and that may be soon. He is hoping that by then, the self-driving car will be on the market so he can buy one and get around the city that way. His granddaughters are also motivation for him to keep active. He wants to be a "participating grandparent" in their lives and wants them to remember him that way, just as he himself is encouraged by his highly-active father at 93. He wants to take them fishing with grandpa. Jimmie still hunts, although he has gotten stronger scopes. He still swims, rides ATV's, and much more.
So, if Jimmie Hall becomes legally blind, unless we remember to ask him, we may never know. He will still be up there in Santa Fe, working on issues such as education, Drought Relief, animal protection, cyber security, public safety and more.
Oh, and in case you are left with the opinion that Jimmie is just a legislator, think again. At almost 70, he is still working. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director of the Youth Development Foundation for 4-H. Vision loss is a characteristic of Jimmie Hall, one he has embraced, but it does not define him as a man or a legislator. Nor does his age, it would seem.