CFC helps guide former Airman to new best friend Published Oct. 26, 2010 By 2nd Lt. Laura Balch Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- When Christopher Sellman retired as a technical sergeant out of Nellis Air Force Base in 2004, he never expected that he would be legally blind in less than five years. Nor did he think he would become one of the many individuals directly assisted by the Combined Federal Campaign. During his 21 years in the Air Force, Mr. Sellman worked at the base fire department and retired as the station chief. After leaving the military, he began working as the safety manager at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. While waiting to hear back about a job at the Clark County Fire Department Aug. 29, 2008, he began to suffer from intense stomach pains. Mr. Sellman went to Mountain View Hospital and initially received pain medication, but over the next 24 hours, his situation became much worse. During that time period, and due to a variety of causes, he experienced a host of medical emergencies including cardiac and respiratory arrest, bowel surgery, a stroke, and kidney and liver failure. He went into a coma for four days and was on life-support for a total of 13 days. Combined, these experiences led to vision loss, impairment to his speech, hands, feet and legs, as well as numbness throughout his body. After recovering from most of his ailments, Mr. Sellman was discharged from Mountain View Hospital and spent approximately one month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center undergoing rehabilitation programs. It was not until Oct. 26, 2008, during an appointment with his eye doctor, that Mr. Sellman learned that he had lost most of his vision. He was totally blind in his right eye and had approximately 20-25 percent of his vision remaining in his left eye. He had no peripheral vision and could not see at night. After struggling with the news and being unable to find vision assistance for almost a year, Mr. Sellman finally contacted Low Vision Services at the YESnick Vision Center, an organization that provides aid to the visually impaired. In July 2009, he and his therapist began discussing home safety aspects for the blind, how to use a cane properly and the possibility of getting a service dog. Mr. Sellman's therapist from Low Vision Services informed him about Guide Dogs of America, one of the 25,000 charity organizations included in the Combined Federal Campaign. Guide Dogs of America is a nonprofit organization that exists to provide guide dogs and instruction in their use, free of charge, to blind and visually impaired men and women from the United States and Canada. The therapist also assisted Mr. Sellman with his Guide Dogs of America application and video. After a long selection process, Mr. Sellman found out in February that he had been chosen to receive a guide dog. After months of building anticipation, Mr. Sellman waited in his room April 14 at the Guide Dogs of America facility in Sylmar, Calif. Finally, he was introduced to Obi, a 22-month-old black lab. He says now that waiting to meet Obi "felt like waiting for Christmas to happen." Mr. Sellman and Obi worked together in training for the next 28 days at the facility in California before returning to Las Vegas. Obi has been trained in proper techniques for maneuvering, checking street curbs, checking traffic and avoiding road and path drop-offs, among many other skills. He operates using "intelligent disobedience," meaning he knows when to disobey Mr. Sellman in order to protect himself and his owner. "Obi is thinking constantly, and he knows how to get home, how to find my car, and how to travel on buses, elevators, and escalators," Mr. Sellman said. To this day, he continually expresses his thanks to Guide Dogs of America. "Not only did they provide me with Obi, pay for my flights to and from California, my room and board while I stayed in their facility, and the 28 days of training, which is all valued at approximately $42,000, but they also provide graduate services," he said. These graduate services involve trainers traveling to guide dog owners' locations and helping owners with local problems, additional training, and veterinary services. Before he had Obi, Mr. Sellman could not be around crowds. He could not walk freely due to his fear of hitting obstructions, and his stress level was overwhelming. Now, thanks to Obi, Mr. Sellman is independent. He can go out and walk safely for miles at a time because Obi always gets him where he needs to go. "There are times when I just shut both my eyes and I let Obi do the work because I no longer have to worry," he said. When Mr. Sellman heard that the CFC had started up again at Nellis, he wanted to share his story so others will know how the organization really does help people. "If it wasn't for the CFC and Guide Dogs of America, I don't know where I'd be," he said. According to Capt. Mario Abejero, this year's Nellis/Creech CFC Installation Action Officer, Mr. Sellman's story is just one of many examples of how the CFC positively impacts people's lives. "The CFC is the world's largest annual workplace charity campaign," Captain Abejero said. "Last year, the members of Nellis, Creech, and the Nevada Test and Training Range donated more than $312,000. To those who are able to contribute to the CFC this year, please know that all donations to all charities will benefit good causes and good people. Good people like Christopher Sellman who just need a helping hand or, in this case, a dog," he added. This year, the CFC will run until Dec. 15. For more information or to donate to the CFC, please contact your unit CFC representative. Donations can be made via monthly payroll deductions or a one-time payment and will be directed toward the charity of your choice.
