Bio-Vlog

Mr. Brian uses physical, three-dimensional games and puzzles to teach us to think logically and to analyze how objects can be physically manipulated with our fingers and touch.  One hands-on game is an ancient logic puzzle called, The Tower of Hanoi. After mastering it I realize it’s possible to use cards to play a more…

Mr. Brian is trying desperately to convince me of the value of learning Braille. I refuse to even contemplate it. (To learn Braille would be to acknowledge the reality that one day I am going to be one of these blind freaks.)  “Ricky,” Mr. Brian says, “Braille will open you up to a world of…

An administrator at the grammar school that Lori and I attend informs my parents that they can no longer accommodate us because of our visual inability to read and write. In the fall of 1965, Lori and I are forced to transfer to another school. It has a place called the “VH” room for those…

The doctors tell us that my sister Lori and I both have retina degeneration, possibly caused by the scarlet fever. It’s starting from the center of our vision and working its way to the sides. Now I have a blind dark spot in front and can only see a blur from the corners of my…

I recovered from Scarlet Fever and I’m back in school. I’m sitting in class, and suddenly everything goes blurry. As I rub my eyes and try to focus I’m terrified at not being able to see. I raise my hand and my teacher says, “Yes, Ricky?”  “Something’s wrong,” I say bewildered, “I can’t see the…

“Oh-boy! It’s time! Every Sunday night, as the aroma of supper fills the air, I pull one of the yellow-vinyl and chrome kitchenette chairs close to the black and white TV and straddle it like a horse. From the moment the theme song kicks in, I ride with Maverick, that oh-so-cool cowboy gambler in his…

“Jon Racherbaumer here and I’m back. As I mentioned I’ll be leading the table talks throughout the BioVlogs. At my table I’m pleased to have sharing with us, Richard’s sister Lori Dragt and their Visually Impaired resource teacher Ed Brian.  “Lori, I understand it was a very traumatic moment. After your bout of Scarlet Fever…

“Richard,” he says impressed, “you are incredible. You, alone, do the work of four mechanics. I wouldn’t need a crew!” He eyes me, quaffs his drink, and says calmly, “I’ll give you a grand a day to come work for me!” I shake my head from side to side and say firmly, “No thanks.” “How about…

I head over to meet Mr. Cool. He stands, we shake hands then we sit down privately in the back of the lounge to – shall we say – lay our cards on the table. As I’m showcasing the range and deceptiveness of the techniques within my arsenal, he crosses his arms in front of…

I’m Richard Turner, and to protect the innocent, and that is sort of me, I’m going to use pseudonyms when referring to my dealings with the mob. Thanks to the constant publicity from the television shows, radio interviews, and print media, my reputation as a skilled “cheater” continues to grow. At my performing venue, the…

“Hello, I’m Jon Racherbaumer and I’m going to be your TABLE TALK host on this BioVlog series on the spirited adventures of Card Shark Richard Turner! Human stories of nature, nurture, and overcoming adversity are not new. They have been told and retold many times. Richard’s story, however, is different. It is about why he…