Blind but Not Broken: One Father’s Vision Beyond Sight

This month, Sabreena Daly is shining a light on a group that doesn’t always get the recognition they deserve, fathers. In a world where strong father figures can sometimes feel like a rare find, Sabreena sets out to challenge that narrative. And what she discovered is nothing short of inspiring. Meet Mario Chavez, a legally blind carpenter and a single father of seven. Yes, seven. For over three decades, Mario has lived without sight, but that hasn’t stopped him from raising his children on his own or continuing to build beautiful furniture and concrete pieces, entirely from memory and instinct. Sabreena sat down with Mario in his workshop to hear his incredible story firsthand. And what she found is a man whose vision goes far beyond what the eye can see.

 

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

Mario Chavez is the cornerstone of his family’s story. His eldest son, Carlos Chavez, is an architect, former teacher, and now an entrepreneur who brings life to homes and garden spaces through handcrafted concrete designs. Carlos says everything he’s achieved, every step he’s taken, was made possible because of his dad. It was Mario’s steady guidance, his unwavering support, and the way he lived his life that shaped the man Carlos is today.

 

Carlos Chavez, Son

“I can definitely attribute a lot of that inspiration to my dad. He has made his own molds for the concrete wash tubs he creates, and understanding how those molds work has helped me tremendously in my own work. He is truly a strong inspiration in my life.”

 

 

 

Mario Chavez isn’t just known for the furniture he builds; he’s admired for the strength it took to get here. Legally blind for over thirty years, Mario never let his lack of sight stop him from pursuing his passion for carpentry. He’s built a life and a legacy through sheer determination, even when others couldn’t see the vision he held inside. When I visited him in his home workshop, you’d never guess the man behind the tools sees only shadows. Carpentry, he told me, wasn’t just his first job, it’s his greatest love. But when he spoke about losing his vision, the emotion was clear. He quietly reached for his sunglasses, perhaps to shield more than just his eyes.

 

 

Mario Chavez, Blind Carpenter

“That’s my profession from the very beginning. I was working from a young age—I never had this problem before. I used to work with furniture. But then, that’s when the problem started….yes.”

 

 

 

It takes a steady hand and sharp technique to be a carpenter. Working with heavy wood, sharp tools, and powerful machines isn’t easy, even for someone with full vision. Mario Chavez does it all without ever seeing the finished product. Legally blind, he’s a true visionary in every sense of the word. Instead of sight, he leans on memory, touch, and instinct to bring his creations to life. Whether it’s a wooden table or a concrete basin, his hands know every curve, every edge like they’ve memorized the blueprint by heart. And through them, he continues to build with purpose and inspire with skill.

 

 

Mario Chavez

“And that’s why I know that work is a beautiful thing. When I’m able to do it, I feel like I’m reconnecting with something I used to do. I love when people come, see the work they requested, and they like it. They say it looks really beautiful. I really enjoy this kind of work. It helps me—that’s what inspires me to keep going.”

 

 

When Mario’s other senses cannot compensate for what he lacks in vision, his sons step in for support.  Juan Chavez, Mario’s youngest son, credits his father’s relentless passion and determination for inspiring their entrepreneurial path. But more than that, it’s his father’s love and guidance that have shaped him into the man he has become.

 

Juan Chavez, Son

“I think it’s because of him that we became entrepreneurs. Seeing him overcome many of his challenges pushed us to strive for a better life. For me, that has been the most important lesson he has taught us—how to overcome obstacles no matter what challenges come your way.”

 

 

 

 

Mario Chavez raised his children as a single father, guiding them even without his sight. Though he couldn’t see, his vision for his family never faded. That’s the message his children carry with them. Now grown men, they say what mattered most wasn’t what he could or couldn’t do—it was that he was there, every step of the way.

 

 

 

Carlos Chavez

“He could have been somebody who said, you know, I can deal with this, but, but no, he stayed steadfast, and he found one way or the other to make it work for us, to help us finish our education. Even as adults, he has always been there.”

 

Cesar Chavez, Son

“ What gets me emotional is that we’ve grown up with him and many people don’t get to have a dad.”

 

 

 

 

 

Juan Chavez

“I think he has given me the confidence to believe.  He made sure that we had an education and that we did not feel like we were missing anything. So I think that gave us the confidence to do what we have done up to date. I think that has been the biggest impact.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.