“The joy of discovery is certainly the liveliest that the mind of man can ever feel”

           Guest speaker, Dr. Carter shared with us his amazing testimony and the challenges and successes he experienced as a result of his blindness. The inspirational story he shared with us was all in support of his underlying message to “ride the elephant”, and by this he meant, to face whatever challenge that is in front of you and to not turn away from an opportunity regardless of your personal situation or circumstances.

            Dr. Carter was born severely prematurely and had to be kept in an incubator to keep him alive. Coincidentally, this incubator that saved his live is also what took his vision from him. His parents found out that he was blind fairly quickly and it appears that part of the reason he has been so successful is because of his parents’ reaction to his disability. His parents did not overprotect him like typical parents of children with disabilities. They wanted to get him out into the world. This perspective of parenting is what resulted in the phrase “ride the elephant” because of Dr. Carter’s early childhood experience of actually riding an elephant at a circus even though he was blind. This conquered challenge, along with many others, defined his life as not only very unorthodox for someone coping with blindness but as a very extensive life for any person. He also graduated college with a bachelors in English, attained his master’s degree, and even received his PhD in Psychology from the University of Florida. His many accomplishments and outstanding personal ambiance is what has led him to his current job as a psychologist in the Student Servicing Office here at Texas A&M.

            Dr. Carter believes that most people in live crave a humanly connection and extensively offers his services to anyone in need. He also extended on two principal thoughts to consider while facing an obstacle, he would always question, “Why not?” and he asserted that quitting was not an option. He encourages all who are staring up at the large, intimidating challenge to just ride the elephant.