Press Releases

April 1, 2007 (Columbus, OH): When you are on the other end of a telephone conversation with Lillian Schwinn, a mother of four grown children, you would never guess by the confident, enthusiastic, lift to her voice that she has been legally blind since age ten. With courage and energy she picks up the phone and calls executives from leading pharmaceuticals to successfully sell and market sponsorship packages on behalf of a statewide association. The fact that she is legally blind and she has been forced to generate income because of her husband’s disability does not interfere with her work as an account executive.

Lillian Schwinn, an employee of Pearl Interactive Network, LLC, a social enterprise dedicated to hiring people with disabilities and other barriers to work, is joining the ranks of people performing work from home. Among Lillian’s clientele have been the Ohio Manufacturer’s and the Ohio Association of Health Plans, both of which are quite pleased with the results she generates. According to Jeff Reeder, Director of Member Services with the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association, “Lillian was one of the highest performers we’ve worked with. Her work was thorough and she produced results. We thought her work was superior because she demonstrated the ability to get the job done well”. Likewise, Kelly McGiven, Executive Director of the Ohio Association of Health Plans expounds, “Our association, like most, is looking for alternative revenue streams. Lillian has been a great help to us in generating sponsorships and relationships with businesses that would like to partner with us. Quite simply she achieves the results we want and need” Schwinn, the mother of adult children spanning ages 23 through 31, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at age ten. This condition usually results in tunnel vision. However, Lillian’s condition allows for sparse peripheral vision with minimal central vision. The visual challenges she faces are not a barrier that interferes with her passions, which include being there for her children, knitting, cooking and reading.

Her characteristic enthusiasm is captured by a constant “can do attitude”. “I consider myself a person who happens to be legally blind, not a legally blind person. My kids always joke that the only things I can’t do are drive and play tennis.”

Pearl Interactive Network supervisor, Kelly LaRosa, comments, “Lillian is a pleasure and an inspiration”. She achieves results and I truly believe that she has great potential for growth within our organization.

Among the technologies Schwinn uses to do her job are Jaws (a screen reader), Kurzweil (OCR text-to-speech), and a Tieman Voyager Braille Display. These technologies are used to assist people with visual disabilities to perform work related tasks. Prior to joining Pearl Interactive Network, Schwinn spent twenty years volunteering with the Parent Teacher Association, serving as President twice, and teaching catechism for pre-k and first grade for many years.

“In addition to generating an income, my work with Pearl Interactive Network has instilled a sense of achievement and confidence. I speak to high-level executives all day long. Through the relationships I cultivate with prospects, I generate sales. My work has helped to boost my self-esteem, and provides me with the opportunity to engage with people in a socially meaningful way.”

# # #

ABOUT Pearl Interactive Network:  Founded in 1995, Pearl Interactive Network is a virtual workforce offering customer service, support services and sales. They are innovative and creative, delivering quality solutions while creating opportunity. For additional information, contact Pearl Interactive Network at (614) 258-2943 or visit their website at www.pearlinter.org.

ABOUT Smart Solutions: Smart Solutions, Inc. is a regional leader in systems integration, providing solutions such as high-end networking, document management and business process automation consulting services; LAN/WAN/Wireless network design and integration; computer hardware, software and related sales, service and support, including maintenance contracts; application and web design and development; cabling services; and, rental and redeployment services. For additional information contact Smart Solutions, Inc.: 23900 Mercantile, Cleveland, OH  44122 (216) 765-1122 or visit their website at www.smartsolutionsonline.com.