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. Jeremy was completely blind due to
having diabetes, while Philip has a visual impairment caused by 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 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 added a large selection of specialty gift items
to the assortment of merchandise.
In March 2002, Philip started working for the Army Air Force Exchange Services
at Barksdale AFB, LA.
In June 2002, Shadows in the Dark added Foreign languages to the line Braille
card line.
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 to
the assortment.
In 2004, Shadows in the Dark started doing Braille Business Card Services for
other businesses.
In November 2004, Philip and Shadows in the Dark moved to the Wasington D.C.
area due to his Father's career.
In November 2004, Philip started working for the Army Air Force Exchange Services
at Andrews AFB, MD.
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.
In February 2006, Philip started working for the Army Air Force Exchange Services
at Barksdale AFB, LA.
In November 2006, Added Uno cards to the assortment of card games available
in Braille.
In March 2007, Shadows in the Dark added, Spades, Pinochle, Bridge, to
the assortment of Braille Playing cards.
2008 - : SAN ANTONIO, TX
In July 2008, Shadows in the Dark moves to the San Antonio area.
In January 2009, Shadows in the Dark started doing business cards for Yahoo.com.
In 2009, Shadows in the Dark added, Mille Borne, Skip Bo, Rook, Scrabble Slam,
to the assortment of Braille Playing cards.
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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