Mark Feliz

Mark Feliz was born in 1962 in the small town of Florence, Arizona. Born to Dora and William Feliz he grew up with three other siblings, one older and two younger. At the age of 16 months it was discovered that he had Retinal Blastoma, cancer of the retina. His parents decided to enucleate both eyes with no recommended follow-up radiation. Mark enjoyed the easy-going life of the small-town atmosphere. The town was his playground and he and his family and friends enjoyed picnics and swimming at the canal during the hot summer months.

At the age of seven Mark was placed in to the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB.). Since his family moved to Bisbee Arizona Mark had to be a residential student at the school. He remained a residential student until the end of 3rd grade when his parents moved to Tucson. He once again enjoyed the neighborhood playground setting where his brother taught him about life and all its hard-knocks.

At the end of 8th grade his parents moved back to Florence and given the choice to stay at ASDB. Or come with them Mark chose to return to Florence. There he attended high school. Mark felt like he received a strong educational foundation at ASDB. And breezed through high school. Special Education services were not quite available at that time so he drew upon the support of family and friends and flexible teachers.

Mark left home at the age of 18 to attend Central Arizona College (CAC.), about 35 miles from Florence. As a residential student he did visit his parents once a month. While at CAC. He obtained his 2-year Associates Arts degree. From there he went of to San Rafael California to get his Dog Guide. Upon returning to Arizona, he enrolled in to the University of Arizona (U of A). Once again, he was a residential student. After obtaining his BA in Elementary Education he moved off campus in to his own apartment. He went on and enrolled in to the master’s program for Teachers of the Visually Impaired. Mark remembers not having any technology except a tape recorder and a manual typewriter. He remembers having to write term papers on that old typewriter, being very careful not to make any mistakes.

It was then that Mark was introduced to the National Federation of the Blind. He began attending meetings on a regular basis and eventually became President of the Tucson chapter.

Mark married during his Master’s program and their first born would soon attend graduate classes with his wife and him when necessary. Upon completion of his Masters program Mark applied throughout the State for a teaching job. He took the first one to call and he and his family, now with an additional young daughter moved to Mesa Arizona where he was employed by the Mesa Public School District. He and his wife struggled with the move, a new job, two young children, and their oldest with brain cancer. Their oldest daughter died at the age of three in 1989. On the precipice of giving up he obtain help from Ruth Swenson, President of the NFBA. And was able to secure proper work accommodations. Two more children came along and Mark worked for MPS. For 33 years before he early retired. During that span he held positions of the State Board as Secretary, first and Second Vice President, and Board member. He continued to hold the position of chapter President of the East Valley Chapter

Mark’s wife suddenly passed in 2020 which pushed Mark in to early retirement. He continues to be the President of the East Valley Chapter and volunteers his time in working with newly blinded seniors who wish to continue using technology.

The National Federation of the Blind is what grounds Mark in reality. Growing up he always felt that he was normal, almost like a normal sighted person. He now knows, and is secure with knowing, he is a normal blind person. He strives to give back to the blind community all that has been given to him by his blind mentors and peers.