OUR STORY:
1989 - 1992: PHELAN, CA
It was the start of the 89-90 school year in high school and, the beginning of a
new friendship between Jeremy Hatheway (1972 - 1992) and Philip W. Myers (1973 - ).
The two of us shared something in common. At the age of four, Jeremy was
diagnosed with diabetes. Jeremy was also diagnosed with an eye disease called
"Optic Nerve Atrophy" which had caused him to become completely blind. In
1973 after being born, Philip was diagnosed with Toxoplasmosis.
While together at school, we had talked about going into business one day that would
provide a special service for those who are blind or visually impaired. We had decided
that the business would consist of having Braille greeting cards, specialty gift items
and sports trading cards all in one. While at school, Jeremy had started getting Philip
familiarized with learning to read Braille.
On January 3, 1992 a cold winter morning Philip had received a phone call from
his parents about the passing of Jeremy. At the age of only 19, he passed away from
his battle with diabetes. This was a little difficult on Philip becuase he was about to
graduate later in the year from Serrano High school.
09/1992 - 04/1993: ALBANY, CA
From the months of September 1992 through April 1993, Philip attended a school
for the blind in the San Francisco/Oakland area called "The Orientation Center for
the Blind" located in the small town of Albany, California. At this school, Phil had
learned how to read and write Braille, became comfortable with using a white cane,
learned how to use the mass transit system, as well as other independent living skills.
From the months of November 1992 through March 1993, Philip started having some
complications with the Toxoplasmosis. During this time his doctors had run a series
of tests that would result of a new diagnosis made at the end of March 1993.
The confirmation was concluded by doing a spinal tap prcedure.
At the age of 19, Philip was diagnosed with a second condition called Hydrocephalus
(water on the brain). On April 1, 1993 and April 9, 1993, Philip had undergone two
eye surgeries to relieve the pressure from his eyes caused by the Toxoplasmosis
and Hydrocephalus. The procedure was called a Nerve Sheath Decompression.
Doctors made incisions on my optic nerves for this type of procedure.
By the end of April of 1993, Philip had completed his training of only seven months of
being at The Orientation Center for the Blind.
1993 - 1995: PHELAN, CA
After a few months after returning to his home in Southern, California, Philip saw
another specialist in San Diego, who did not like the diagnosis given from Oakland.
This doctor had discussed with my parents about the placement of a Shunt to
help drain the excess fluid build up on the brain. On August 24, 1993, the surgery
was successful for the placement of the shunt.
Before the surgery, Philip had wanted to start his College studies in Victorville,
California. After two weeks into the Fall 1993 Semester, Philip had to drop all
classes due to having the surgery. After recovering, he would resume his studies
during the Spring and Summer 1994.
1995 - 2004: SHREVEPORT, LA
In 1995, Philip and his family moved to Northwest Louisiana. The move was due to
his father's career with the Military. His father retired from the Air Force in 1992 and
was hired to work in the Civil Service so he could continue his history writing career
for the Air Force.
In February 1995, Philip began working as a Volunteer with Family Services
at Barksdale AFB, LA. In April 1995, Philip had a picture come to mind for his very first
Braille card for Shadows in the Dark™: a Birthday Cake with Candles design in
Braille. This was the beginning for creating Shadows in the Dark™. By November 1995,
Philip had created six Braille cards with six Braille picture designs.
In the Fall of 1995 through the Fall of 2003, Philip would continue his college studies
attending at Bossier Parish Community College in Bossier City, LA. At the end of
the Fall 2003 semester, Philip was attempting to finish his studies. Still missing a
few college hours to graduate with an Associates Degree in Psychology.
In January 1996, out of a one bedroom apartment in Bossier City, LA. Shadows in the
Dark™ started selling the special line of Braille Pictured Greeting Cards™
after receiving copyright protection for the cards.
In October 1997, Shadows in the Dark found a supplier that offered a large variety
of specialty gift items at very affordable prices for everyone.
In February 1999, Shadows in the Dark starts selling products and services
online through their website. Offering a large selection of Braille Services
and Specialty Gift items can be found on the website at great low prices everyday!
In March 2002 through November 2004, Philip started working for the Army Air Force
Exchange Services at Barksdale AFB, LA. Starting out as a cashier and then
being promoted eight months later to the Furniture/Appliances depeartment. Philip
had quickly learned a few techniques in order to memorize the merchandise due
to his visual problems.
In June 2002, Shadows in the Dark started adding Foreign languages to the line Braille
greeting cards available for the blind and visually impaired market.
In December 2003, Philip was hospitalized due to a shunt malfunction. A tubing
rupture and was the cause and had to be replaced. He spent three days in the
hospital and was released three days before Christmas.
2004 - 2005: MARYLAND
In 2004, Shadows in the Dark started selling Braille Playing card games for Poker to
the assortment.
In 2004, Shadows in the Dark added Braille Business Card Services to expand
the products and services available. Currently this service is completed with the
slate and stylus method for the business card projects.
In November 2004, Philip would relocate Shadows in the Dark to the Wasington D.C.
area due to his Father's career with the Air Force as a Historian. Philip also
continued working for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Andrews AFB, MD.
Philip was reinstated to work in the Shoppette in the Lawn and Garden departmnet.
After a few months, Philip was promoted as a Shift Supervisor for a small Shoppette
location at Andrews AFB, Maryland.
In December 2005, Philip decided to move back to Louisiana.
2006 - 2008: SHREVEPORT, LA
In January 2006, Shadows in the Dark celebrated their 10th year anniversary in
business. Offering specials the entire year in order to increase sales for the business.
In February 2006, Philip started working for the Army Air Force Exchange Services
at Barksdale AFB, LA. Again Philip was reinstated back into his old position he
had from the first time within the store in 2004 before moving to Maryland.
Philip worked until May of 2008 at this location to once again move to another state,
this time with his entire family to San Antonio, TX.
In 2006, Shadows in the Dark added Uno, Spades, Pinochle, Bridge to the
assortment of card games available in Braille.
2008 - : SAN ANTONIO, TX
In July 2008, Philip moves Shadows in the Dark to the San Antonio area. This would
prove to be a great move for the company in order to expand and to increase sales
for Shadows in the Dark.
In January 2009, Shadows in the Dark started doing business cards for Yahoo.com.
Since 2009, productivity levels have increased significantly since starting the
Braille Services in 2004.
In 2009, Shadows in the Dark added, Mille Borne, Skip Bo, Rook, Scrabble Slam,
to the assortment of Braille Playing cards.
In January 2011, Shadows in the Dark celebrating their 15th year anniversary in
business. Offering specials the entire year in order to increase sales for the business.
In January Philip was diagnosed with having diabetes at age thirty seven.
As of today, Shadows in the Dark™ is one of the largest providers for Braille
Greeting Cards. By currently offering twenty-nine card occasions available in eight
languages: (English, French, Italian, Norwegian, German, Spanish, Dutch and
Portuguese) with more than twenty Braille Picture designs for the cards.
In Memory of: Jeremy Hatheway (1972 - 1992).
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