DISABLED REALTORS -- part 3

Overcoming the Odds and Getting the Job Done Although dealing with a limitation many people see as insurmountable, Diaz has been very successful, selling $7 million in 2003. How does he do it? His PDA, laptop and office computer all have screen-reading audio software, which converts the written word to the spoken word. With the software, he can do such things as e-mail clients from his PDA and write his own contracts on his computer. Diaz has a secretary, as well as a driver, who also describes properties as he guides Diaz through them. He doesn’t tell clients he’s blind until he meets them, and has never had a client decline his representation because of his disability. “Clients are amazed by what I can do with my computers. (Because of the computers), I immediately develop a rapport with them,” he said. What’s the biggest challenge now for Diaz, a man who views his blindness as “just an inconvenience?” “To sell more properties,” he said, with the zeal of a true salesman.

DISABLED REALTORS -- part 2

Overcoming the Odds and Getting the Job Done

“I described colors for them. I tried to describe the color blue by describing the ocean.

I ran into a solid block wall,” he said.
“You cannot describe colors to one who has never seen them.”

This experience changed his attitude about his blindness and made him “thankful to God” for the things he did have.

“I got peace inside. I began to think maybe things aren’t so bad,” said Diaz.

He began working at a local hospital developing x-ray film. He married and started a family. As time went on, though, he wanted a better economic situation for himself and his family.

“I called a local real estate school and was told they could not accommodate me. They were not set up to train a blind person,” he recalled.

Diaz wouldn’t give up, and got the home study course materials, which he had recorded onto audio tape. He studied from the audio tapes, but failed the test on the first try.

“I asked myself: ‘Do you want to be where you are?’ The answer was ‘no.’”

Diaz studied even harder and passed the real estate exam on the second attempt.

In January 1970, Diaz opened his own office. He worked out of his house until 1983, when he bought his own office building.

DISABLED REALTORS -- part 1

Selling real estate is filled with challenges. There are difficult buyers, quirky sellers, confusing contracts, changing economies and a host of other potential pitfalls. A trio of Sunshine State Realtors negotiates through all those hurdles while also coping with significant disabilities. But they don’t want to be thought of as “disabled,” or worse yet, “special” Realtors. Above all, they are savvy business people, they are educated agents, they are outstanding client advocates. But all three acknowledge that they have achieved while managing the demands of disabilities ranging from vision loss, memory impairment and cognitive difficulties. Erodio Diaz would have been an airline pilot if he hadn’t lost his vision, said the Hialeah-based commercial and residential Realtor, who has been working in the real estate field since 1967. Diaz came to the United States at age 9 from Havana, Cuba. At age 13, he lost his sight and many of his friends, who could not relate to his new world without vision. “When I lost my sight, I didn’t know what to do. I even thought about suicide,” said Diaz. At age 17, he returned to school, this time a school for the blind. There he met classmates who, unlike himself, had been blind from birth. They had no concept of what colors looked like.

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR -- 9

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR

WHERE TO STAY

Southern-most on the Beach, 508 South St., 800-354-4455. http://www.southernmostresorts.com

WHERE TO EAT

Duval Beach Club, 1405 Duval St., 305-295-6550. http://www.kellyskeywest.com

B.O.'s Fish Wagon, 801 Caroline St., 305-294-9272 . http://www.bosfishwagon.com

Thai Cuisine, 513 Greene St., 305-294-9424. http://www.keywestthaicuisine.com

WHAT TO DO

Old Town Trolley, 201 Front Street, http://www.trolleytours.com/key-west 1-888-910-8687

Truman Little White House, 111 Front Street, 305-294-9988. http://trumanlittlewhitehouse.com

The Audubon House, 205 Whitehead Street, 305-294-2116. www.theaudobonhouse.com

Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, corner of Greene and Whitehead Streets, 305-294-2633.
http://www.melfisher.org/museum.htm

Sebago Catamarans, 201 William Street, 305-294-5687. http://keywestsebago.com

WHO TO CONTACT

Information: 800-352- 5397, www.fla-keys .com.

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR -- 8

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR

We call ahead on the day of our sunset cruise. We don't hear a gasp on the other end of the phone when we mention the word "wheelchair," as we sometimes do.

Instead, a polite woman knowledgeably and casually answers our questions about access.

We learn boarding and disembarking will be no problem, but that there are no accessible restrooms on board the catamaran.

Heidi makes sure to use a dockside public restroom beforehand.

When it comes time to board, several crew members adeptly guide Heidi and her chair up a ramp, then lift her gently onto the deck.

The skillful crew is obviously well-trained in assisting passengers with disabilities; they know not to grasp the chair by the armrests or leg rests, which can pull loose.

Once on board, Heidi chooses to remain in her chair, its brakes more than sufficient in keeping her in place, even when the waves swell and break.

Complimentary beverages are provided once we set sail, and the soothing sounds of Bob Marley set a relaxing, insouciant tone.

The sea breeze caresses us gently as the setting sun sparkles on the water's crystal surface.

Soon we reach that sublime state of reverie that is the reward for exploring the world.

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR -- 7

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR

The unassuming museum boasts examples of items recovered: silver plates with detailed scenes crafted by Incan artists, bejeweled sabers, gold coins, ornate necklaces.

The displays are accompanied by written narratives that provide historical and social context.

Though the museum has an accessible entrance and decent aisle width throughout the galleries, some of the items can only be seen from a standing position.

A display that invites visitors to lift a solid gold bar inside a Plexiglas box is about chest-height to an average adult.

Also, the elevator to the second floor must be operated by a museum guard. Upon our arrival to the upper floor, the guard tells Steve to come back downstairs to get her when we wish to depart: not a feasible arrangement for unaccompanied visitors with disabilities.

Still, the museum is intriguing and well worth a visit.

For lunch we go to B.O.'s Fish Wagon. Located about a block from the Historic Seaport Harbor Walk, the ramshackle corrugated metal structure with vintage license plate decor isn't much to look at.

And the flatware and utensils are of the plastic and paper variety.

But the food is first-rate: grilled fish and fried oyster sandwiches.

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR -- 6

KEY WEST BY WHEELCHAIR

The Audubon House and Tropical Garden nearby doesn't hold the same appeal. Access through a gate is confusing and the house itself isn't that interesting or accessible.

Access is excellent, though, on wide pavers that wind through the garden filled with orchids, bromeliads, herbs, papayas, banana and sapodilla trees.

Perhaps the attraction that best epitomizes Key West's spirit is Mel Fisher's shipwreck museum of the Atocha.

Fisher was a local character who spent 16 years chasing his dream: to find and recover a sunken Spanish galleon full of treasure.

Enduring legal challenges and the death of his son, Fisher never lost faith in his mantra: "Today's the day."

July 20, 1985 was the day that the Atocha, loaded with gold, silver and jewels, was found.