In a heartwarming triumph, Amanda Juetten, a 47-year-old blind mother of five from Tennessee, graduated magna cum laude from Tennessee Tech University on May 9, her loyal guide dog, Colonel, by her side. Despite losing her vision to retinitis pigmentosa in 2020, Juetten’s determination shone brighter than ever as she crossed the stage, not just as a graduate but as a beacon of resilience.

Juetten’s journey wasn’t a straight path. She began college nearly three decades ago but paused to raise her family. After years of progressive vision loss, she found herself navigating a world of total blindness. Undeterred, she enrolled in an eight-month program at the Colorado Center for the Blind, mastering adaptive skills that restored her independence. “Blind people aren’t sitting in basements waiting for the end,” she told WTFNewsRoom. “They’re out there living, and I wanted that too.”

Returning to Tennessee Tech in 2022, Juetten pursued a professional studies degree with a focus on organizational leadership. The university’s faculty embraced her needs, ensuring accessibility without question. Now a grandmother, she’s not stopping here—she’s eyeing a graduate degree in blindness rehabilitation and perhaps a doctorate, aiming to empower others with the skills to thrive.

Juetten is already a vocal advocate, lobbying in Washington, D.C., for blindness initiatives and protesting rideshare discrimination in San Francisco. As a board member of the National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee, she’s pushing for greater acceptance of the blind. “We need a voice,” she said, “and I love using mine.”

Her message to those facing blindness is clear: “Your dreams don’t fade with your vision. Find a way to chase them.” With Colonel at her side, Juetten is proof that no obstacle is too big when you’ve got grit and a good dog.

Advocacy News

Blind Tennessee Mom of Five Graduates with Honors Alongside Guide Dog