Letter 91 - She Was A Mahout

Hello Bregdan Woman,

You have Ginny today…

I have no trouble envisioning this conversation:

“Mom, Dad, I’ve decided to become a mahout.”

“Well dear, we have no doubt you’ll become anything you want. You’re going to be a what?”

“A mahout – an elephant driver.”

Caroline Casey is an achiever; actually most people would call her an over-achiever. Whatever she puts her Irish mind to, she accomplishes. Caroline was always a top student and excelled in college. She traveled extensively, founded a horticulture and landscape architecture business at the age of 22, and eventually became a successful business consultant to an international company.

But at the age of 28 she hit a corporate wall, and was unable to achieve at the high levels she was accustomed to - because of the limitations others placed on her.

After fighting her entire life to be more than how people perceived her, she was sick of it - and ready for a new challenge.

She quit work and decided to live out a life-long dream – riding an elephant across India. In fact, Caroline became the first western woman to achieve the status of elephant mahout. In 2000, she made the physically and mentally demanding 1000 kilometer trek (about 622 miles) across India.

But Caroline’s story is not about being a celebrated elephant mahout. Her story is about the prejudice and difficulties she suffered (and overcame) as a result of being legally blind.

I know you’re staring at the last sentence - thinking what I thought… Caroline Casey is blind?? And she rode an elephant across India? Blind??

How?

Let’s go back in time a little…

Her parents, determined to give her every opportunity for success, hid the reality of her condition from her. More than that… they told her she could SEE. She truly had no idea she was blind.

Her father taught her to sail - knowing she couldn’t see the shore… or the sail… or the destination. He taught her to savor the feel of the wind in her face, and the feeling of speed as they skimmed across the water.

How could she know that others saw the world far differently than she did?

Until she was 17.

Caroline longed to drive a car. She was determined she would. Until… She couldn’t pass the eye exam. She was 17 when her parents decided she should know the truth. She was labeled visually impaired and legally blind.

But just because she knew the truth, that didn’t mean the world needed to know. She had hidden it her entire life. It’s what she would continue to do. Caroline and her parents hid her disability until she was 28 when she hit the corporate-world wall that changed her life.

When her vision deteriorated even further, she knew she needed to ask for help. She went to Human Resources at her company. For the first time ever, she admitted she couldn’t see. They sent her to a specialist, but she knew her future with the company was over.

She was completely devastated. And lost. She was consumed with fear and self-pity. What would she do now? Who would she be?

Could she accept herself for who she was? A blind woman?

Could she once again be confident in who she was? A blind woman?

Tough questions.

Well…

She decided to ride an elephant across India.

Yes, you read that right…

She decided to ride an elephant across India!

The inspiration came from her favorite childhood book - The Jungle Book.

In the 9 months it took to prepare for this epic trek across India, she accepted herself for who she was. More importantly, she regained her belief and confidence in herself.

She also knew her Mahout adventure had to be about more than just herself. It had to be about something more.

Deciding to use her trip across India as a fundraiser and awareness raising venture, Caroline established The Aisling Foundation. She set the goal of raising EUR$250,000 (about $352,000 US) to support her trip and raise funding for various disability groups. A few weeks before the trip she had raised only had EUR$67,000. She managed to get a prime-time appearance on a national television talk show which enabled her to nearly double her goal -- EUR$480,000 (about $676,000 US)!

The trip was amazing! It showed her just how much she was capable of - just how much she could do as a Blind Bregdan Woman.

Caroline returned from her trip as an inspirational figure with a high media profile. She took full advantage of it - as a Bregdan Woman will do.

She knew that almost 10 percent of Ireland’s population lived with disabilities. Of that number, 90 percent were unemployed and 38 percent lived in poverty. (By the way, these statistics hold true worldwide.)

While disability and rights groups had campaigned successfully for progressive legislation throughout Europe, businesses still resisted hiring employees with disabilities. Caroline knew first hand that like society in general, businesses see these people for what they cannot do instead of what they can. They also don’t realize the spending power these individuals have.

Caroline decided to change how businesses look at, and deal with, people with disabilities.

She organized her first “ability conference” in 2001. Since then she has created The Ability Awards to recognize and reward businesses and public-sector organizations that strive to meet the needs of people with disabilities. These awards endeavor to make businesses and organizations “ability confident” as they meet the needs of employees and consumers.

The Ability Awards also target the government, people with disabilities and their families, educators, the media, and the general public. The televised awards are receiving more and more attention throughout Europe. The judging panels are made up of Ireland’s leading business and citizen figures. It’s interesting to note, that winning companies can only receive their award if the CEO or managing director is present on award night. This ensures that the issue of “ability” is recognized at the highest level.

But Caroline’s vision goes beyond the awards. Her Foundation has also created The Ability Program which is designed to systematically get the word out about best practices and industry standards that will ultimately empower more businesses. This Program is similar to the Chambers of Commerce model and provides training products, publications, conferences, and workshops.

Caroline’s approach is based on innovation. Her Foundation is evolving into a research and development hub for ability programs. She envisions spreading these programs around the world by funding “ability agents” who will create a network of communities supporting one another. The Aisling Foundation will also help by providing financial, network, and best practice support.

Now that’s one enterprising, energetic, young woman! She’s gone from a 17-year-old hiding a disability, to a highly successful business consultant and business owner, to an elephant mahout trekking across India, to a CEO changing the world of business for people with disabilities.

As a Blind Bregdan Woman.

Amazing!

Caroline is a wonderful example of someone who refuses to let what others perceive as her limitations define who she is and what she can do. How often have you let someone’s negative comment stop you from pursuing a great idea? Have you ever shared a dream with someone who told you to stop dreaming and face reality?

I encourage you to stay true to your dreams and turn a deaf ear to those who would try to talk you out of pursuing them.

Whenever you get discouraged, come back and read Caroline’s story.

Let her belief transform your fear into your own belief!

*********************

What will you do to be a Bregdan Woman?

What will you do today to impact history??

We’re on this journey with you… (and have 2 FREE Gifts for you below…)

Ginny & Suess

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