Now, as far as employment, with the blind, we’re not asking for any more or any less. It’s just a fair shot. And that fair shot comes with creating the opportunities, the proper training that we need, the proper technologies that we need, so that we can work independently.
~Lee Martin Sr.
Editor’s Note
This March, Bold Blind Beauty proudly introduces Lee Martin Sr., as our Man In Motion. From our initial conversation, Lee’s unstoppable spirit was immediately evident. What truly impressed me, however, was the remarkable balance of his strength and humility.
Lee’s story is one of resilience and unwavering advocacy. Faced with the life-altering challenge of losing his sight at age 46, he transformed adversity into a driving force for change.
As a leader in the National Federation of the Blind, Lee champions independent access to information and tirelessly fights for the rights of individuals with disabilities. His journey, marked by personal triumphs over employment discrimination and a dedication to community empowerment, embodies the spirit of our Men In Motion series.
Lee’s belief in his blindness as a “gift” shines through in his joyful activism and commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable world.
I invite you to watch Lee’s video or read the transcript below.
Stephanae McCoy
Editor-in-Chief, Bold Blind Beauty
Beyond Sight Magazine Cover
YouTube Video
A Life-Changing Moment
Lee: There was a time when I had to call my mother and I told her, I said, I lost my sight. And she immediately says to me, well son, you’ve lost your sight. That’s God’s plan. I didn’t raise you to be a weakling. So, what are you going to do about it?
My name is Lee Martin. I’m a member of the National Federation of the Blind and yes, I am blind.
The National Federation of the Blind Newsline
Narrator: The National Federation of the Blind Newsline, Indiana Monthly Report with your host, Lee Martin and co-host, Florence Myers McSwine.
Florence: You want to know about Lee Martin? I have been working with Lee with The National Federation of the Blind Newsline Indiana show for a little over three years. Lee is a very innovative man.
Lee: Florence said that about me?
Florence: And he just knows how to make things work.
Lee: What’s really nice is what we do together. We want to welcome our guest back to The National Federation of the Blind Newsline Indiana show, Ms. Rhonda Chapman, thank you for coming on again and sharing your reality with us. Your road to independence.
Independence is what I’ve been blessed with. And I’d like to share that independence with others.
Lee’s Journey to Independence
Will Brock: I work out at a gym that, I kept seeing this blind fellow come into, and with his cane, and he would walk back into the locker room and go about his business of exercise and cleaning up afterwards and, and go on home.
And, his independence was amazing to me. And then I saw him back in front of his locker room and he was shining his shoes and I thought this is a guy that I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta meet. And so I, I went up to him and said, I introduced myself and said, you’re blind. He says, yes, I am. He says, and you’re shining your shoes. Why, why are you shining your shoes? And he says, he looked up at me and he said like, well, I want to look good. That’s just Lee Martin. His shoes have to look good, even though he can’t see them.
Florence: Lee wasn’t born blind. He lost his sight in his mid forties due to a condition called phlebitis.
Lee: In June of 1999, I was 46 years old, and I lived a fairly productive life up until that point. And while working at Daimler Chrysler, I lost my sight. And then I lost my job. And it wasn’t fair.
Legal Battle and Advocacy
So I took Daimler Chrysler to court.
Florence: One of the toughest things about being blind is the ability to get employment. The unemployment rate for people that are blind is over 75%.
Lee: The legal case against Daimler Chrysler received national exposure. It opened my eyes. And I got involved with the National Federation of the Blind to help others achieve independence. And one of the ways that I do that is through a program, NFB Newsline.
Narrator: Hoosiers can hear Indiana Magazine, Circular’s national magazines, and information from across the globe. Learn more by calling 855 963 6476 or visit nfbnewsline-in.org.
Lee: It gives them an opportunity to have all this information right there at their fingertips.
AI: What would you like to do?
Lee: Read the New York Times.
AI: Reading a New York Times dated September 25th, 2020.
Lee: A person that’s, that’s informed, they make informed decisions. And this service helps, helps allow that.
Lee’s Passions and Advocacy
Florence: There are so many things that Lee is so passionate about.
Lee: Education of our youth. As well as education for our adults.
Female 1: The right of blind and visually impaired citizens to vote is guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
Lee: And when it comes to voting, blind people would love to vote independently. And the technology has to be developed for that. Now, as far as employment, with the blind, we’re not asking for any more or any less. It’s just a fair shot. And that fair shot comes with creating the opportunities, the proper training that we need, the proper technologies that we need, so that we can work independently.
Male 1: This is Studio B at WHMB TV 40, and this is where we normally would produce. The National Federation of the Blind Newsline show.
Lee: We want to welcome you back, with Pastor Melinde.
Male 1: And of course now, since COVID hit, now we have to do things a little differently.
Lee: We want to welcome you to the National Federation of the Blind Newsline Indiana show.
Florence: Does Lee Martin Let any dust settle on him? No way.
Lee’s Joyful Life
Will Brock: As busy as Lee is, he takes time to have fun. And he knows how to dance. And he knows how to celebrate life in a wonderful way.
Male 1: The bottom line about Lee Martin is he is a joyful, encouraging, and professional activist.
Lee: Will Brock.
Will Brock: Yeah.
Lee: We haven’t been around each other since COVID.
Normally, we meet right there at the gym and have a great time working out.
Will Brock: Yeah, that’s true.
Lee: I’ve been missing walking and talking and having a good time in the gym with you. So, how about you and I just take a walk?
Will Brock: I think that’s a great idea.
Lee: Alright, let’s go.
Will Brock: Alright.
Lee: There’s an old Chinese proverb. Be not afraid. I’m moving slowly, but be afraid of standing still. I kinda like that.
Lee Martin’s Bio
Lee Martin Sr. is a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana. His humble beginnings start in Muncie,
Indiana, where he was born and adopted at the age of 4 by two loving parents. He is the current National Federation of the Blind of Indiana second vice president, and the State Coordinator of the National Federation of the Blind Newsline program as well, he hosts the NFB Newsline of Indiana television show to bring awareness to the NFB Newsline program while providing a platform for numerous state agencies to present their vision and mission initiatives relating to the rights of citizens with disabilities, independent access to information is the driving narrative and mission for Lee. He is a proud graduate of the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, Partners in Policy Making.
Lee was not always challenged with blindness. He enjoyed the gift of sight for 47 years, where he did all the things individuals with sight could accomplish. He graduated from Muncie Central High School and after graduating went into the military where he served in Vietnam. Upon his successful return home, he attended Indiana State University where he took business courses and went into management at McDonald’s Corporation. His experience and work ethics led him to pursue other opportunities in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he resides today. He worked for Daimler Chrysler for seven years as a Foundry Technician and Safety Coordinator prior to losing his eyesight.
At age 48, Lee lost his sight to a condition called sclerotic. His condition, however, did not stop
him from finding his new mission of fighting for the rights of individuals who for many years
have been faced with discrimination because of their impairment or blindness. His federal
lawsuit was featured in The Indianapolis Star newspaper and the Indiana Business Journal for
employment discrimination. Lee’s story was also featured in a local newspaper called the
Speedway Town Talk in October and November 2018, and the article was published in the NFB national Braille Monitor for the blind. He continues his activism doing presentations around the state of Indiana to the general public and to the blind community to engage, encourage and inspire Indiana citizens to pursue their inalienable rights. As president of the Circle City Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, Lee and his chapter brings awareness to the urban community with outreach initiatives with churches, community centers, IPS summer youth camps, support groups, Town Hall meetings, etc.
Lee Martin Sr. is a unique leader not only in the blind community, but in the community at-
large. A true inspiration of resilience despite the unforeseen circumstances he was faced with.
His philosophy is that “this is a gift of blindness” that was given to do the work God intended.
His work is to work for the betterment of the blind and visually impaired and to ensure fair
access to information, remove the stereotypes, and promote independence and equal
opportunities.
Connecting With Lee
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Image Descriptions: Provided by PiccyBot
- The header, Beyond Sight Magazine cover includes a portrait-style photograph of Lee against a plain, light-colored backdrop. Lee is a brown skinned man wearing a blue suit, hat, and stylish sunglasses. The fabric appears smooth and formal. Underneath the suit jacket, he has on a white shirt and a paisley tie. The tie seems to have a mix of dark colors, possibly black and gray, with a subtle pattern. Overall, the image is a well-lit, clear portrait of Lee in formal attire, projecting an air of self-assuredness. The image is styled as a magazine cover titled ‘BEYOND SIGHT | A Bold Blind Beauty Project’ and features ‘Lee Martin Sr.’ The cover is dated March 2025.
- YouTube Thumbnail & Video Description: Lee Martin Sr. Receives The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award. He is standing among a group of six people on a stage in front of a dark blue curtain and an American flag. A wooden podium with Indiana’s state seal is positioned at the center-right of the frame. A man in a grey suit is presenting the award to Lee who is wearing a maroon three-piece suit.
- The video begins with a portrait of an African American woman wearing a bright patterned top, then transitions to an African American man in sunglasses who introduces himself as Lee Martin and a member of the National Federation of the Blind; a logo appears for “NFB Newsline Indiana Monthly Report” with Lee Martin as the host and Florence Myers McSwine as the co-host.
- We see Florence Myers McSwine who describes Lee Martin as an innovative man who knows how to make things work; then the scene cuts back to Lee Martin who affirms she said that about him. Florence explains that Lee lost his sight due to phlebitis.
- Next, the video shares the legal case against Daimler Chrysler, which states it received national exposure; the video shows a Black and white photo of Lee Martin and details of his case. It is revealed that a survey shows that the unemployment rate for blind people is over 75%; the video highlights that there is work underway to achieve the independence of the blind and visually impaired. The video shows various scenes of people who are blind using technology and voting equipment that helps them. Lee Martin ends the video by sharing that a person who is informed makes informed decisions and the program NFB Newsline provides that type of access.
- Lee is sitting on a booth-style seat positioned against a wall, and a small, round table is in front of him. He is wearing a dark brown, shiny, leather outfit (shirt and pants) with a gold chain necklace, and a fedora hat. His shoes are dark brown and appear textured, possibly with a pattern or embellishments.
- Lee Martin Receives The Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award: A collage of 5 photographs arranged within a decorative frame. The photos are organized in a hexagonal, honeycomb-like layout, with some overlapping. The central text reads ‘Freedom Award…’ in a stylized, cursive font, with ‘Freedom’ in a teal-blue and ‘Award…’ in a darker blue.
- Top Left: Five people (four men and a woman) are standing at a podium with a green seal on it. Lee is being presented the award by one of the men.
- Top middle: Lee in a three-piece maroon suit is holding the glass award.
- Top Right: Lee is holding a glass award, standing next to a woman.
- Bottom Right: Lee is standing in the middle of two women posing with the award.
- Bottom Left: A woman is speaking at a podium with an American flag behind her.