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In 2015, Edwin Montemayor's life changed in an instant.
While driving through the busy intersection of I-35 and I-10 in San Antonio, his vision suddenly disappeared.
A diabetic, Edwin's retinas had detached simultaneously, leaving him blind.
âI lost my eyesight from one second to the next,â Edwin recalled. âIt was like looking into a fish tankâdots, then red, and then nothing.â
Edwin was devastated. He had always been a fighter, but this was a battle he never expected.
His blindness cost him everythingâhis house, his vehicles, and nearly his will to keep going.
"I was stubborn," he admitted. "I didnât want to face the fact that I was blind. I didnât want to be here anymore."
But Edwin found hope at Vibrant Works, then known as San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind.
With the guidance of his trainers Jose Martinez and Mayra Garza, Edwin began to reclaim his life.
"Jose always encouraged me and lifted my spirits," Edwin said. "When I felt like giving up, heâd remind me of the fighter I was and he would tell me, âYouâve got this.â"
At Vibrant Works, Edwin learned how to use assistive technology, cook safely, and navigate daily life independently. He also discovered beep baseball, a modified version of the sport for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Soon, he wasnât just playingâhe was coaching others, pouring his heart into helping his teammates.
Years later, through multiple surgeries and the use of special contact lenses, Edwin regained some of his eyesight.
âI remember telling the doctor, âI see light,ââ Edwin said. âI loved the pain because it meant I was going to see again.â
Slowly, his vision improved. Shadows turned into shapes, and eventually, he could see faces. Today, he wears bifocals with specialized lenses, and though heâs still legally blind, he can see enough to navigate the world.
Edwin calls himself âone in a million,â but he hasnât forgotten where he startedâor the people who helped him along the way. Thatâs why, on Jan. 18, 2025, Edwin stepped into the ring to participate in the Jesse James Leija Red Carpet Brawl at the Boeing Center at Tech Port. He fought not just for himself but for everyone who has experienced vision loss.
âIâm doing this for the people who feel like theyâve lost everything,â Edwin said. âI want them to know thereâs someone fighting for them, someone who understands.â
Edwin trained tirelessly with the Leija family, waking up at 6 a.m. for intense workouts.
âTheyâve changed me,â he said. âEveryone in that gym believes in me, and I want to make them proud.â
His fight represented resilience, strength, and hope for others facing similar challenges. Edwinâs story is a testament to his perseverance and the support he received from Vibrant Works.
âWithout them, I wouldnât be here,â Edwin said. âThey taught me how to live again. Now, I want to give back.â
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