Tennessee Woman Graduates Blind, Embraces New Beginnings
Amanda Jutten, a 47-year-old from Tennessee, celebrated her graduation from the Tennessee Institute of Technology on May 9, though she was completely blind and couldn’t see her family cheering her on.
As she crossed the stage to receive her degree, Magna Cum Laude, Jutten felt a strong sense of purpose. “I’m completely blind,” she shared in a conversation. “That’s why my guide dog is with me.” She remembered how, during the ceremony, she was guided by two classmates, thinking, “This isn’t the end. It’s really the beginning of the next thing.” It was a moment filled with hope.
Interestingly enough, Jutten’s academic journey started nearly three decades ago but was interrupted when she had a baby right after high school. After returning to school, her vision deteriorated due to a condition called pigment retinitis, leaving her in complete darkness by 2020.
“I had no skills for being blind,” Jutten recounted. “Over the years, I learned to use what little vision I had left, but I really didn’t know what to do without any vision at all.” Determined to regain independence, she enrolled in an eight-month program at the Colorado Center for the Blind.
Jutten recalled thinking that blind parents could do things like prepare meals for their kids and attend PTA meetings. Seeing blind individuals as more than just isolated figures inspired her. “I wanted to live my life, too,” she stated.
With new skills and a sense of confidence, Jutten joined the Tennessee Institute of Technology in fall 2022 to pursue a degree in organizational leadership.
Reflecting on her experience, she remarked, “It was amazing. The instructors asked, ‘What do you need? How can we make this accessible?’ They really went above and beyond.”
Now a graduate, Jutten aims to promote greater acceptance of the blind. “The blind need a voice,” she asserted. “I want to equip people with the skills to express themselves. There needs to be more support for blind individuals.”
Next, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in blindness rehabilitation and may even chase a PhD. “I want to provide services related to assistive technology, teaching braille, and sharing what I’ve learned,” she explained.
Additionally, Jutten recently protested in Washington, D.C., against ride-share drivers who resisted serving passengers with disabilities, aiming to advocate for more inclusive policies.
She also actively participates as a board member of the Tennessee National Federation of the Blind and previously led the Tennessee Guide Dog Association. Her guide dog, Colonel, is a devoted companion, always at her side.
Jutten has a heartfelt message for anyone facing the challenge of becoming blind: “You still have the same hopes and dreams. Just because you can’t see doesn’t mean you can’t pursue them. Find a way to keep going.”
