Kingsville’s Melissa Bueno Merrell advocates education for disabled people. (Photo by Gloria Bigger-Cantu). Melissa Bueno Merrell is proud of who she is, and she does not let her disabilities prevent her from obtaining her goals.

Her achievements include graduating from high school and college.

Currently, she is earning more educational training in Austin to get back in the work force.

Merrell wants people to recognize individuals with disabilities and be more sensitive and educated with their needs.

Although, she was born blind and deaf, Merrell continues to be a success story.

After graduating from H.M. King School in 1993, Merrell continued with her education and attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville and earned a business degree in computer information systems and a minor in psychology.

Persistence paid off for Merrell because it took her 12 years to earn this bachelor’s degree.

Melissa Bueno Merrell is pictured in an industrial arts class at Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center in Austin where she is a student. “I would have to work and stay out a semester,” Bueno said. The Kingsville native worked at fast food restaurants and as a clerk. She realized then she did not want to work for minimum wage. Actually, she is visually impaired with minimum vision and wears two hearing aids.

Currently, she is enrolled at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center in Austin that provides students intensive vocational and independent living and training to Texans in a unique residential setting. Tuition and residential facilities are provided free to students at any age beginning from 18 years and up. The school currently has a 71-year-old female student.

“The school’s goal is to train blind people to be independent and confident and prepare them for the work force,” said Merrell, 36, the mother of two, in a recent interview while visiting family members here.

She began course work in June and will receive a certificate after completing specific classes. Students work at their own pace and can finish anywhere from six months to 14 months or however needed.

“The major goals for the students is for them to acquire confidence and freedom,” Merrell said.

She believes disabled people are very isolated and do not get anywhere. “We need to educate people to accept people with disabilities and treat them with respect,” Merrell said.

She encourages families with disabled children to become educated because it is a big adjustment for them.

“Sometimes families enable a disabled person too much and this doesn’t really help them,” she said. “There are plenty of options and opportunities for people with disabilities and encourage them to take a risk.”

“For five years I prayed what I needed to do and where I wanted to go and it would be Austin,” she said. The Texas Commission referred her to the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. She considers living at the residential center like a mini-vacation because she has nothing to worry about. Her roommate, a Corpus Christi native, is also blind and deaf. She credits the school for providing students success because the staff projects enthusiasm and “they are excited people.”

A typical class day begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Students must wear blindfolds during class time except for lunch. Merrell refers to them as “mind folds.” This strategy focuses on students being independent and self reliant with themselves.

Studies include learning daily living skills such as cooking, balancing checkbooks, grocery shopping. Keyboarding using Microsoft software is offered in the technology classes. Students learn to read and write in Braille. The career guidance class assist students to prepare resumes, dress professionally for interviews and help them with interview techniques.

Bueno has learned to use a hammer and a saw in the industrial arts class. She has created some art projects and these activities are also all performed while being blindfolded. Merrell made a fold up laptop computer tray in class.

She likes to ride the city bus in Austin and goes bowling with her friends. One of them even made a strike during one of the bowling games. One of the highlights of her life was participating in the White Cane Day festival this October. About 400 people participated in the celebration that included a march, barbecue and music provided by a local band. . Now in its ninth year, the White Cane Day is Austin’s Independence Day for people who are visually impaired. Merrell was one of the adult leaders during a march from the state Capitol to the Republic Square Park in downtown Austin.

The white canes symbolize freedom, and a visually impaired person has the ability to do whatever they want to be and has nothing to be ashamed of, according to Merrell.

“The mayor spoke to us and he supports our blind community,” said Merrell as she teared up. “I am proud to be blind and deaf.” Travis and Williamson counties have an estimated 25,000 visually impaired residents.

Merrell’s teachers and classmates consider her to be a friendly and helpful person because they ask her to conduct projects such as being in charge of the food drive during the holidays.

“My goal is to make a difference in one person’s life and they believe in me,” she said.

Merrell, daughter of Ruben Bueno Sr. and Yolanda Bueno, has five siblings. Her parents have been very supportative of her educational endeavors. One of her brothers is also blind and deaf.

She admits she loves living in Austin and would like to find a job there or in South Texas after completing her studies. Her goal is to work with data base administration with one of the state agencies. With her persistence and positive attitude Merrell will, no doubt, succeed with this goal.