Immediate Release
October 2, 2018
Contact:
Kandy Cayce
Division of Services for the Blind
(501) 682-0332
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From the left are Maja Sevo, teacher; Heather Grisby, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor; and Sarah Ford, principal. Sevo was selected as area Consumer of the Year by the Department of Human Services Division of Services for the Blind, and the Springdale Public School System was named as an outstanding business partner for its commitment to promoting the employment of persons with vision impairment. |
Music Teacher with Vision Impairment Earns Achievement Award
Maja Sevo of Fayetteville, who is visually impaired, has been named the area’s outstanding Consumer of the Year by the Department of Human Services Division of Services for the Blind (DSB).
Sevo is a certified music teacher for kindergarten through 12th grades with the Springdale Public School System at J.O. Kelly Middle School.
This summer, she participated in vocal training in New York and Italy with top music professionals.
“This will further her success in teaching,” said Heather Grisby, the DSB Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who nominated Sevo for the achievement award. She was selected from the Benton County area because of her determination to overcome adversity, serve others, and succeed at work.
The award presentation was made at the school where Sevo teaches. Her employer, Springdale Public School System, was recognized by DSB as an outstanding business partner for its commitment to promoting the employment of persons with vision impairment.
Sevo said she experienced retinal detachment in her left eye three times. She could not read with her left eye and could only see colors and some shapes and forms. Sevo also had cataracts, which prevented the physician from removing the silicone oil that a previous doctor had placed on her retina. Once the cataracts were successfully removed, Sevo was able to have the silicone oil removed and the retina has stayed attached with good eye pressure readings.
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