Jeff Smith, formerly of Owosso, contacted the Michigan Commission for the Blind's DeafBlind Unit after experiencing increasing problems at home and at work due to his hearing loss and vision loss.  Eventually, he was laid off from his job doing CAD design work in the automotive industry. 

He attended the MCB residential Training Center in Kalamazoo and, with MCB assistance including a computer and new hearing aids, pursued vocational training.  With the encouragement of Cindy Caldwell, his MCB counselor, in 2009 he applied for and was accepted into the Lions World Services IRS training program.  He did very well, and he and his wife moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he began work with the IRS in January 2010 as a tax examiner.

He said, "I will never be able to express my gratitude for how much Cindy and the Michigan Commission for the Blind have done for me.  For nine years Cindy and MCB have been there, through the thick and thin of my life.  The only word I could use is ‘Patience.'  MCB has supported me every step of the way, including a couple of detours, to finally have a full time job." 

On December 10, 2010, the Michigan Commission for the Blind presented him with an MCB Achievement Honor Roll Award.