ASHTABULA, Ohio — In the northeastern tip of Ohio, there’s Ashtabula —home to a man named Kenneth Wolfgang and his friend Emily Barnum.
- They're using their unique abilities to help their community
- They do things like picking up groceries and prescriptions for the elderly and moving furniture
- Since the coronavirus hit Ohio, requests for their help have increased
The pair started Blind Trucking to help their neighbors in need.
“I've always wanted to be a truck driver, even when I was a kid. So, this gives me that, it gives me that sense of being able to do the truck driving that I've always wanted to do. Can't drive an 18-wheeler, but this is my truck,” said Wolfgang
Their “truck” is a bicycle that Wolfgang rigged a trailer to.
“I needed someone who's sighted to sit behind me to control my arms so that I'm translating their vision into the steering,” said Wolfgang.
It’s all a volunteer effort. They pick up groceries and prescriptions for elderly people who may not be able to go to the store right now and have even helped people move furniture.
“So, we've hauled a little bit of everything,” said Wolfgang.
Since the coronavirus hit Ohio, requests for their help have increased. Everything is by word of mouth.
“They're like, and especially when they learn that I'm totally blind, they’re like, ‘Huh? Okay,’ but when they see me actually do the job and they see us come there, drop off everything it's awesome,” Wolfgang said.
Barnum says doing this helps her too.
“I have mental challenges. I have depression and doing this brings me out of it.”
They say they hope their story inspires others.
“We could do just about anything we want and set our minds to just give us that opportunity, and I'm using that opportunity, helping others. Why? Because I want to give back. I want to give back to my community,” said Barnum.
