Blind Veteran Says OrCam MyEye Assistive Technology Device Has Been ‘Life-Changing’

US veteran Scotty Smiley lost his eyesight from a suicide bombing in Iraq. After losing his vision, he lost hope and gave up on life. Thanks to the support of his family and discovering a revolutionary, life-changing assistive device, the OrCam MyEye 2, he regained independence and turned his life around.

Tiffany and Scotty Smiley have known each other since the 6th grade. At the time, Scotty was not so interested in dating her, regardless of her attempts. They finally started dating at their senior year in high school. After high school, Tiffany went to nursing school and Scotty went off to West Point.

In the military, they use the phrase, “The 2% Club.” Meaning that only 2% of the couples that are dating when one of them enters the military academy survive as a couple. Scotty and Tiffany are members of that club. At the time, Scotty was only able to write and receive letters, no phone calls were allowed. Scotty and Tiffany have kept those letters till this day.

In 2003, Scotty graduated from the academy. They got married right after his graduation. Shortly after, Scotty was deployed to Iraq. On April 6th, 2005 Scotty came face to face with a suicide car bombing. The injuries Scotty sustained in the incident left him blind for life.

Scotty’s Rehabilitation Process

As a nurse, Tiffany understood the difficult road to recovery that she and Scotty had ahead of them. Scotty needed to become independent and capable again and to find his purpose in life with his new condition. This would require Scotty having resources that would bridge that gap for him.

“Eyesight brings so much independence as I quickly began to understand, there was now so many things that I could not do. And for me, I went into depression. I didn’t understand what more there was to live for. Because I couldn’t read, I couldn’t drive, I couldn’t have independence,” Scotty said:

Tiffany knew “Technology was going to be the key for us”

Through the Blind Veterans Association, Scotty was given an OrCam MyEye 2 device. OrCam MyEye 2 is the most advanced wearable assistive technology device for people who are blind, visually impaired or have reading difficulties that can read text, identify products, faces, colors and more. Scotty said, “OrCam MyEye 2 is great for any eyesight loss, whether its minimal or fully blind like myself. The independence and freedom of life it has given me, I know will be able to help anyone live life more freely and live life more independently…It truly helps me be a better father.”

With the help of OrCam MyEye 2 Scotty can read books to his kids, identify colors of the clothes he wears, items in the kitchen and more.

Scotty demonstrated on Dr. Phill how he uses OrCam MyEye 2 to read a book to his kids.