Helen Keller – Holding a magnolia.
TUSCUMBIA – A Florence woman has been named recipient of the 2013 Helen Keller Award of Courage.
Jill Hammond Rossiter was raised in a small community in Lauderdale County, called Grassy, on a family farm. Shortly after beginning school, her teacher noticed that Jill was not able to see the blackboard well and related this to Jill’s parents. Jill was examined and fitted for glasses by Dr. Droke in 1977. Jill later learned she had an incurable progressive eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, which gradually diminishes a person’s sight, and that she would never attain her dream of nursing. She became legally blind at 18.
Her mother sought help for Jill at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Center in Muscle Shoals. There, she encountered a team of professionals who assisted her in selecting a vocational path. In 1989 Jill enrolled at the University of North Alabama, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1994. Ironically the agency which initially assisted her would become her first employer as a rehabilitation teacher. Her role was to provide the necessary training and counseling for blind and visually impaired individuals to function independently. During this time, Jill provided informative public speeches on blindness and the vocational rehab opportunities. She continued in that position for almost 6 years.
In 2001, Jill was selected as a service representative with the Florence, AL Social Security Administration. She was a knowledgeable and compassionate servant to the public before leaving her position in 2010. By this time, with 3 beautiful children and a loving husband, Jill knew in her heart that she had fulfilled her dreams.
Today, Jill enjoys public speaking and has spoken at Keller Kids, educating them about the life and accomplishments of the blind. Jill is a Christian and knows her strength and determination comes from God. She believes God has a purpose for her blindness and life.
