“In the Miami Lighthouse . . . mission to serve Florida’s visually impaired adults and children, including those with correctable vision problems, Virginia A. Jacko believes success is the ability to provide high-quality, cost-effective services to the uninsured who have no alternative for eye health care. . . . Founded in 1931 by blind pioneer Dolly Gamble under the guidance of Helen Keller, Miami Lighthouse is Florida’s oldest vision rehabilitation agency serving the blind and visually impaired.  It is recognized nationally for its best practices.”  From the October 7-13, 2011 issue of the South Florida Business Journal.

 Molly Mackin: You seem to have a sense of ease both as a CEO, and as someone who has mastered life after losing her sight. It's impressive.

Virginia Jacko: We all have certain traits and talents that make us who we are. I know this sounds corny, but as a  result of my blindness I now have more vision, in some ways.  Sight can be a distraction.  For example, if you're at a restaurant, you start to look around, check out what peope are wearing, see who's sitting with whom, or see if you know anybody there.  But if you can't do that, your other senses are heightened: your sense of taste, your sense of hearing.