U. student reaches far beyond his disabilities while training to help others

Darran Zenger sits with his guide dog, Archer. Zenger is studying to be a social worker. He was born deaf and wears cochlear implants. Retinitis pigmentosa is robbing him of his sight. He feels he knows exactly how to help others with disabilities.

Todd Hougaard, Deseret News

Enlarge photo

SALT LAKE CITY Darran Zenger and his guide dog, Archer, maneuver the University of Utah campus and the social work program with determination.

Zenger has Usher syndrome; born deaf, he wears cochlear implants. And his sight continues to deteriorate with retinitis pigmentosa.

But Zenger said he believes he knows exactly how to help others with disabilities.

"My experience growing up, it was normalized, he said. You lose vision, you lose hearing, so what? It's just a challenge, that's all it is."

Zenger is working to become a social worker, which involves a demanding list of classes, practicums and training, learning people skills and understanding government aid.

In his presentation to fellow students earlier this semester titled "Seeing Through Blindness," Zenger described one of his pet peeves: people who say, "You don't look blind."

I mean, not to be rude or anything, but you dont look stupid, Zenger said, and his classmates laughed.

Visit link:
U. student reaches far beyond his disabilities while training to help others