Born in The Bronx in the dark ages before cell phones and the Internet, Michael graduated high school in New Jersey, moved to California and settled in Sonoma County at twenty. He became a carpenter and award-winning contractor. Since becoming travel impaired, Michael has graduated from Coastline Community College and also earned a paralegal degree. Certified in Literary Braille in 2011, Michael now focuses his efforts transcribing for the blind and is working toward Nemeth (math) certification, allowing him and his wife to better serve the blind community upon his release. Michael speaks on his personal growth and how Braille affected his life.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)