About Prestige Blind Independence Center

Purpose

To provide training and services to blind adults and equip them with the skills necessary to live independent lives as fully productive and contributing members of their community.

Promise

To promote independence, education, and self-efficacy to eliminate stereotypical impressions of blindness..

Our Staff

Paul M. Stewart,

Paul is originally from Utah where he worked in various industries but spent most of his career in LEAN Manufacturing focusing on establishing production lines. Paul has a bachelor’s degree in business management and has a certification in LEAN Six Sigma. While in Utah Paul also volunteered his time with the Boy Scouts of America. Seeing a need in the community, Paul helped create a community BSA Troop and served as a leader for 14 years.  In 2016, Paul developed a rare neurological disorder known as Dystonia, which is a muscle movement disorder. Paul’s condition is mostly centered around the muscles and pupils of his eyes and is called Benign Essential Blepharospasms. Due to this condition, Paul is considered functionally blind. In 2017, Paul moved to Colorado hoping to recover from his condition and to receive blindness training. In 2019 Paul graduated from the Colorado Center for the Blind and shortly afterwards began working there as the facilities coordinator, residential manager, and the home management/woodshop instructor. Even though Paul loved working at the Colorado Center for the Blind, he saw an immense need for blindness training in Tennessee and hopes to help establish a training center here to fulfill those needs.

Amanda M. Juetten,

Amanda Juetten is finishing her bachelor’s degree in communications at Tennessee Technological University and is planning on graduating in May 2025.  Previously, she has worked as a facilities and office manager for Lord’s Gym of Yuba County which is a nonprofit center that is in Marysville, California. She has graduated from the Colorado Center for the Blind in Littleton, Colorado in February 2021 where she was the president of the student association, facilitated activities for students, and mentored new students that entered the center. She is now the President of the Tennessee Association of Guide Dog Users and the Upper Cumberland Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.