Allen Johnson is a father, grandfather, husband, community leader, inspirational speaker, woodworker, college graduate, minister, and, oh yes did I mention that Allen Johnson is also blind.

Allen Johnson lost his sight in 1977 to a debilitating eye disease. Once he had lost his sight Allen went into an 18-month depression. He was not productive in his life and had a bad time coping with life in his new world of darkness. Allen was also a husband and father of 2 young children, who had not only seen their father struggle with day to day living after the illness had claimed his sight, but also had to deal with Allen’s blindness and come to terms with it for themselves.

Allen was brought out of what he calls his "pity party" and made a decision to live his life the way it was meant to be lived, as a loving husband and father. Allen also rediscovered his faith. Allen was always a believer in God. He never allowed the Lord into his life the way he feels was intend. Allen almost makes it sound as if his blindness was a way for God to get his attention. If that was the case let us just say that Allen followed his calling and become an amazing example of faith, strength, and courage. A willingness to grab onto life and continue to raise his family, he also showed his resolve not letting his blindness be his handicap. He turned it to his strength. This brought Allen to a place in his life where he feels peace, and understands what and who has been calling to him.

His story has been told countless times on radio, Television, and in newsprint. A friend of mine told me about Mr. Johnson. He had such a passion in his voice describing the wood worker whos creations are done through memory and touch because of his blindness. "You must meet this man he is amazing. Once you meet him you will be amazed at the power one gets through faith. Well! That was enough my curiosity was peaked. I called Mr. Johnson to set up an interview with him. The voice on the other end of the phone said hello. I replayed this is August Stark of Y’ALL magazine and I am calling because a mutual friend of ours thought it would be nice if we got together so we may do a story about you in our magazine. Mr. Johnson has warm, friendly voice, kindness poured out over the phone. His first comments were I have no problem telling you my story but you must understand that it is not about me, it is about faith and the blessings given to me by my Lord and savoir.

I told Allen I had no problem telling his story accurately. Letting our readers know that his faith was what kept him going and by the grace of God Allen was allowed to build his wood creations. He also told me that he wanted his story told the way it really was not the way others want to perceive it to be. Allen’s response was straight and to the point, "others have written about me and done interviews with me but they never seem to want to involve the real hero in the story of my struggles and successes, and that is my Lord and savoir".

I arrived at Allen Johnson’s house around 4:30 PM. As I pulled up to the house I noticed a man standing out front of the house. I got out of the car and slowly approached the man. I must tell you I have not spent a lot of time around blind people and did not in any way want to offend my new host. I slowly walked toward him. Allen Johnson was a friendly looking man. He wore dark glasses and dressed, as you would expect a native west Texan to dress. He had on a Western shirt, a black vest, Jeans and of course the standard brown cowboy boots. In his hand he held a cane used to help him get around. I think Allen felt my approach, a slight smile broke over his face as I introduced myself to him. A big grin broke out over his face. "Yes I have been expecting you welcome and please come in. I entered his home. Allen began to talk about his blindness immediately. He made it very clear within the first few minutes of our meeting that he did not want to be praised as an amazing man or that he was anything special. Allen wanted it known that all he has and all that he has accomplished was given to him by the grace of God. The only thing Allen will take credit for is having enough sense to let the Lord into his heart and life so he could help him. As we walked into the hallway Allen called out to his wife Lea. Mrs. Johnson came out of the kitchen area and introduced herself to me. . Mrs. Johnson came into the room and immediately made me feel welcome. Her face was kind and full of happiness. She had a wonderful smile on her face as she introduced herself to me. I must admit the first few minutes with these two people made me feel right at home. Allen began to talk while Mrs. Johnson showed me all of his wood creations. I was amazed at the detail of each of the pieces. I could not comprehend how a blind man could make such beautiful things. Lea and Allen both told me that we would be more comfortable in the living area so we walked to the living room where more of Allen’s work was on display.

Sitting there in the living room with Allen across from me, and Lea Johnson sitting to my right, Allen began to tell his story.

Allen told of his blindness and how it came on him suddenly. He did not have time to prepare himself. One day he saw the world the way the rest of us do, and the next day the lights had been turned out. Allen Johnson was to live the rest of his life in total darkness. Allen recalls that all he did was feel sorry for himself. He struggled with the loss of his sight, and he was drawn ever deeper into a depressed state of mind. Allen saw no way out for himself, he could not support his family. They all struggled just to make it through day to day. One night Allen talked to the lord and basically told him "take me do what you want with me but please help me out of this trouble." Allen’s face turned serious the smile had left him as he recalls the hard times he went through. The room went quite for what seemed a long time. Suddenly a determination took hold of him and he continued on with his story. "Well needless to say the thing I did not realize was that God kept a schedule and I was not following his schedule." Lea chimed in with a laugh "we were so busy trying to keep our heads up above water that we failed to check with God as to what he wanted from Allen and myself." Once Allen and Lea learned to check with Gods schedule things began to fall into place for the entire family.

Through the government Allen was given a psychological evaluation to see what skills he had so he could be taught a new career. The evaluation showed that Allen should be study to be a computer programmer. Allen struggled with this he did not feel that was what the lord had intended for him to do. So Allen prayed and through prayer. In 1978 Allen decided to go to Texas Tech and get a degree.

Sitting in his Green recliner Allen’s face starts to show a wonderful peacefulness as the words come out slowly with that familiar West Texas drawl. I got side tracked and stopped taking notes I almost felt like I was sitting by an ancient wise man, trying to just soak up all the positive energy like a sponge. Allen continued with his story. "Boy do I remember the times at school. I had it pretty hard but it was a rewarding challenge". Lea spoke up "remember Allen when you first started attending classes we would have to go to each class around the campus, we counted the steps between classes, between buildings, and we even counted the steps that lead from all the classes to the bathrooms". We had our challenges. We had to hire a reader and buy thousands of cassette tapes so Allen could learn his subjects". "We used those tapes over and over again until they were so full of static from being re-recorded we finally had to throw them away." Allen began to laugh out loud "you know I had to take each test orally. That wasn’t bad till it came to math problems." Allen Johnson graduated in 1985 he received a degree in history with a minor in English. Allen carried a 3.20 GPA. Allen is a man who knows what he is and where he is going there is no doubt about that. He is definitely driven by a power that must be of a spiritual nature.

I began to see that there was more here then just a story about a blind wood worker. Allen Johnson was a man that would not give up on himself and Lea was a wife that did not give up on her husband . Allen puts his best into everything he does. I was so curious about his wood shop I asked him about his workroom. Allen got all excited "do you know I dreamed that work room and then I had it built. I can show it to you but I do not allow anyone out there when I am working. I have everything in its place and would probably hurt someone if they were out their with me." I sensed a little more then just a place where he does his work I sensed from Allen that this was his particular place of power where he was allowed to work on things that he and God had agreed would be worked on. So many times you hear the expression holy ground where sacred ceremonies are performed to honor our creator. I felt that this was the way Allen felt about his workroom.

Allen and Lea go around to various churches throughout West Texas and give witness to their miracle, They attend all denominations they feel that God is not a Baptist or Catholic, or Methodist. We are all children of God no matter what type of Church we go to. They are very determined to give back to the human race the blessings that they have received. Allen does not sell his work through normal channels. First off he told me that I would never sell my creations at a church. Gods business is not for sale "Ever". Lea explains we have an open house every November. We sometimes have hundreds of people come out. Allen price for his creations are very reasonable, there is however a hidden cost that probably is well worth it. Allen will not sell you anything unless he can bear witness to you. That is my price. I must do the Lords work and this is how I repay him by spreading the word and telling everyone my story. Allen has inspired many people who have had problems. His inspirational message is one that transcends religion, or anything else. Allen Johnson is just plain and simple a person that gives all he can whenever he can. He is a man in control of his environment. He feels that there are worse things in life then being blind. Allen still target shoots with a 22 and also a bow and arrow. His bowling average is about 130 but if you ask Lea I think you would get a more accurate average. My time with the Johnson’s was over way to quickly. I could have stayed there talking to both these wonderful people for hours. Allen has left me with many things to ponder. Life is a special gift given to us by God what is done with that gift is up to us. I for one think Allen Johnson has been blessed through his faith, the love of his family, his friends, and the love of the new friends he makes everyday. Just spend a few hours with this amazing man and find out for yourself. Allen always has time to talk to people especially about the blessings he has in his life. I for one think he sees things clearer then most people do.

If interested in any of Allens creations you may contact him