“I never thought it would last 30 years,” laughs Mike Bosela. Mike had other plans, his life plan was something completely different. This was just a temporary job for Mike, this was something that he was doing to pass the time before trying again to get into Ohio State University’s law school.

   Mike was fourteen the first time he lost his vision. He was a typically teenager, running around with his friends, playing football in the backyards. Over the course of a summer, his vision started to deteriorate. He went to the doctor’s where they told him that his retinas had detached; determining that the probable cause was from multiple concussions. He had surgery to reattach is retinas, but at 17, he lost his vision again permanently. That’s when Mike decided to leave Youngstown and go to high school at the State School for the Blind in Columbus.

   He fell in love with Columbus, the people, the city, the things to do and the ease of the transportation system there. Travel is something that can be difficult and scary for someone who is blind. “Having the courage, in my case, was because I was too stupid to know better,” laughs Mike.

   After graduating high school, Mike went on to continue his education at The Ohio State University, majoring in political science with the hopes of becoming a lawyer. After graduating with his degree, Mike attempted to get into Ohio State University’s law school, but was rejected. “I had the opportunity to go to law school elsewhere, but wanted to go to Ohio State’s law school. I was stubborn, it had to be Ohio State,” says Mike.

   So Mike came back to Youngstown, determined to try again later to get into law school at Ohio State, but he needed something to do in the meantime. He decided to volunteer at the Youngstown Society for the Blind. The Youngstown Society for the Blind housed the Youngstown Radio Reading Station, a radio station that broadcasted information to the blind. “I liked the relaxed atmosphere. Behind the scenes it was a lot of fun, but on air it was all business,” says Mike. “Actually, I have a big ego and think I just like to hear myself,” laughs Mike.

   After a short time a temporary 18 month position for a broadcast technician opened up, and Mike accepted it. It was perfect for Mike, because after all, he had plans to try again at law school and this gave him the opportunity to work and make some money in the meantime. That temporary position turned into a full time position, and enjoying the work so much, Mike stayed on. Then, in 1992, Mike faced another potentially life changing event, the Youngstown Society for the Blind was closing. Goodwill decided to take over the Youngstown Society for the Blind’s programs and Mike became the coordinator for the Youngstown Radio Reading Station at Goodwill, a position he still holds today.

   When asked about regrets, Mike says maybe he has one. “I regret the whole law school thing. I have become less stubborn, I wish I wouldn’t have been so rigid then,” he says. As far as Youngstown Radio Reading Service, “I have no regrets. I have been fortunate with the bosses I’ve had and the people I’ve worked with. We’ve been blessed with all the volunteers. It’s a good atmosphere,” says Mike.

    Mike reflects on the last 30 years and looks to the future. “I want to know more things and want to continue to grow. Even if I retire, I want to remain active.” But what he is most proud of is doing his job and being able to deliver information to the print impaired. I take pride in putting out there what we do, every year for the last 30 years. Other than for reasons out of our control such as power failure, we have only been off air for half a day when we moved. I’m very proud of that,” smiles Mike.

   So, it may not have been the plan that Mike initially had for himself, but to the hundreds of listeners of Radio Reading, the many volunteers who spend time with Mike, the numerous amount of people he has served as an advocate for and the employees who work with him at Goodwill, they would have it no other way— and one has to believe, neither would Mike.