Released on = March 20, 2007, 2:29 pm

Press Release Author = Henry Beathard

Industry = Human Resources

Press Release Summary = Two strangers, blinded in separate traffic accidents two
years earlier, meet and discover a startling coincidence.

Press Release Body = When Marcus Engel and Ron Graham met at the Seeing Eye, Inc. in
Morristown, New Jersey, in 1995, they knew they had something in common. Both were
blind and had come to the guide dog facility to get their first Seeing Eye dogs.

Then they learned that both had lost their sight in automobile accidents. As they
continued to talk, they soon discovered a startling coincidence. Both accidents had
occurred two years earlier on exactly the same date, October 9, 1993.

Engel's accident was on a cold autumn night in St. Louis during his freshman year of
college when he was 18. Following a hockey game, Engel and some friends were headed
to a local diner. As they pulled into a busy intersection, a speeding driver
slammed broadside into their car. Along with other injuries, every bone in Engel's
face was broken by the impact.

When Graham's accident happened, he was a 31-year-old captain in the Texas prison
system. Graham had been driving on a dark West Texas road near Lubbock, lost
control on a curve, and flipped the car into a cotton field. Thrown from the
vehicle, he ended up face down in the dirt with broken bones and severe head trauma.

With their life-threatening injuries, both Engel and Graham spent months in
hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Demonstrating similar determination and
positive attitudes, each decided to treat his blindness as an inconvenience and not
a barrier.

After receiving training with his guide dog, Engel returned to Missouri State
University and earned a Bachelors Degree in Communications. He began speaking to
groups about his experiences and is now a professional speaker, teaching audiences
how to overcome adversity, make intelligent choices and see obstacles as
opportunities. He has resided in St. Louis for several years and is in the process
of moving to Orlando where he and his fiancée plan to live after their marriage this
year.

Engel, 31, has written two books. His autobiography, "After This.An Inspirational
Journey For All The Wrong Reasons," challenges readers to recognize that choices,
not circumstances, determine happiness. He also is author of "The Other End Of The
Stethoscope.33 Insights For Excellent Patient Care," a book about the challenges
faced by health care providers that limit their ability to provide excellent patient
care. Engel also writes a blog and maintains a website, marcusengel.com.

After Graham's training at Seeing Eye, he focused on a new goal of becoming a
counselor for people with disabilities. Graham entered the University of
Houston-Clear Lake and earned a Bachelors Degree in Behavioral Science, and a
Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology. He later served as Coordinator of Disability
Support Services at Central Texas College in Killeen, TX.

Today, Graham, 44, is married and lives in Kingwood, TX, where he produces a blog
called Access Ability. The blog, accessability.blogspot.com, is targeted to college
professionals in the disability support services field. Graham uses the blog to
publish information about disability resources and to provide a forum for disability
professionals and disabled students to share their knowledge and opinions.

Since that fateful meeting in 1995, Engel and Graham have become very good friends.
As each of them has worked to inspire other people over the years, they also have
provided inspiration for each other with their successful lives.


Web Site = http://

Contact Details = Henry Beathard Public Relations
281-360-3495
hwbeathard@cebridge.com