My story is on YouTube! Mark McGlinch, a fellow attendee of Rochester Open Coffee Club Tech Meetup, created and posted this video for EZ2See Products.
Periodically it was suggested that I make a video showcasing the calendar. The idea was that seeing someone flip through it would do a better job explaining than reading words or looking at still images.
Okay, I get it, but where to get the help to do this at a price I could justify.
At an entrepreneur meeting, I had the good fortune to meet another semi-retired guy with a strong video background. When I mentioned my product and that I was hoping to someday make a video, he was intrigued.
As so often happens, by being out and about, I’d met an interesting person and made a valuable connection and even a friend. At our first real meeting, Mark said he wanted to do this.
I shared that I also had a video background and brought my descriptions of each shot of the video. Needless to say, Mark was happy that much of the groundwork was done.
Some time later, he returned an updated and improved version of the shots. Using his equipment and my kitchen as the set, we planned our next steps.
Mark’s version had fewer shot segments with longer limes for me to say. Repeating them over and over I learned them, but just barely. Since I wouldn’t be able to see cue cards, getting help with my lines was my biggest challenge. If I only knew braille better!
To keep the video brief, every word was important, so no ad libbing. Eventually, all the segments were shot and Mark went off to put it all together.
It was a thrill when the email with the link to the video appeared. Taking a deep breath, I watched it for the first time. Mark’s work was great, but I felt my delivery was awful. It isn’t at all how I talk.
But Mark and my wife said it was fine. So, with grateful thanks to Mark, and with their support, it went online and you can see it here. Only time will tell how helpful people find it.
Edward Cohen
Edward Cohen is a senior, legally-blind entrepreneur. His company designs and makes products useful for daily living that help those dealing with vision decline or related challenges. In 2015, he started EZ2See® Products LLC to make a large-print, weekly-style planner. He incorporated unique features not found elsewhere, which is why it is so accessible. He continues to create and add unique low-vision products.
