Tempe interior designer has vision, passion for profession

Robert Vaughn Kizere is a visually impaired interior designer. The 54-year-old Tempe resident lacks peripheral vision, seeing only 2 degrees instead of having the normal 180 degrees of vision.

"It’s like looking through a pinhole," he said. "It also varies according to the day."

Although legally blind for two years, he still maintains a sharp sense of color, shape and context, and his determination has allowed him to continue working in a job he has loved for the past 30 years.

"I have an overactive imagination and a good sense of style and design," Kizere said.

He lost most of his sight two years ago after two operations to remove a brain tumor.

Since the surgery, he had to learn how to walk and talk again, and relearn how to do almost everything because of his limited sight, he said. Last year he spent six weeks living in Tucson’s Southwest Center for the Rehabilitation of the Blind, relearning how to do everyday things such as shaving and cooking.

" ‘Life happens’ is my favorite saying," Kizere said. "I just choose to make the best of it."

He does have some help. Four months ago, he got a golden retriever guide dog named Mayor, who is by his side 24/7. Mayor mainly keeps Kizere from falling since he can’t see things that stand in his way.

Kizere trained for a month at New Jersey’s The Seeing Eye to learn how to work with Mayor.

"The first thing I taught him is to take me to Starbuck’s," he said. "He knows the scent and the logo, and no matter where I am he takes me there."

Kizere said returning to work hasn’t been difficult because of his determination. If someone tells him he can’t do something, he has to prove that person wrong, he said.

He got the first job he applied for since his surgery. He began working as a design consultant at the new Ethan Allen furniture store in Chandler three weeks ago. He said he also continues doing freelance designing and has not lost any of his clients since the surgery.

Judy Butcher is one of Kizere’s longtime clients. Kizere has worked with her for five years, designing rooms in her east Phoenix, Lake Havasu and Seligman homes.

"He’s such an inspiration that he makes a living with his eyes, and legally is blind, yet he’s still happy and he’s still moving forward," said Butcher, 62. "What an awesome person. He’s never lost his zest for life."

She said she had some doubts about his ability to continue decorating, but he proved her wrong.

"I worked with him prior to the sight problem, and he still has what it takes to be an excellent designer," said Butcher, who owns an appraisal company. "He hasn’t lost a thing, except for his sight, which is just amazing to me."

Kizere maintains an independent lifestyle and lives with his committed partner of 11 years. He said the only thing he can’t do since his surgery is drive. He is an avid walker and relies on alternative transportation.

"Other than that it’s just the same," said Kizere, who has two grown children. "It just takes me longer to do something."