Phil Blackwell was plunged into darkness forever when he lost his sight while serving in the Navy in 1968.

Phil was only 22 years old and married to his high school sweetheart, Sybil, almost two years. They were ecstatic that their first baby was on the way. Life was wonderful when suddenly his world shattered leaving him gripped in devastation and despair.

It was simpler times when Phil grew up in the beautiful countryside of upstate South Carolina. High school was highlighted with playing guitar, runs to the sandy shore, shag dancing and going steady with pretty Sybil.

Phil’s acute intuitive sense made some things easy for him, like playing from beginning to advanced guitar in a matter of months.