Vision beyond sight: A Charlotte man’s journey through diabetes, blindness and building dreams

Shelton Brown sits in his office surrounded by the rhythms of work: keyboards tapping, phone ringing, papers rustling. In front of him, a tax document rests on the desk. He leans forward and speaks to what looks like an ordinary pair of eyeglasses: “Hey, Meta, can you read what’s in front of me?”

An artificial voice responds, decoding the details Brown’s eyes can no longer see.

Fifteen years ago, Brown was spiraling. Diabetes had begun a slow assault on his body, leading to vision loss that would unravel the foundation of his independence.

“I cried a lot, was depressed for several years,” Brown recalled.

The idea of relying on others terrified him. Once a man constantly on the move – raising a son, building a business, navigating life with confidence – Brown suddenly found himself halt