MONROE - Becoming a blind magician has opened doors for Gary Haun, Rockford.
He has gone mountain climbing, sky diving and swimming with great white sharks in South Africa. He also met Bill Hunter, Monroe, who takes him golfing each year in Monroe.
Haun and Hunter opened some eyes at the Monroe Country Club Wednesday.
"We first met through magic," Haun said of Hunter.
Haun participated in a six-player golf scramble with Hunter, Larry Kundert, Dianne Kundert, Denny Frehner and Esther Frehner.
"Dreams without doing are an unfulfilled ambition," Haun said.
Haun is a former Marine Corps sergeant who lost his sight in 1973 when he was sprayed by hot hydraulic fluid while working on a helicopter.
"When it first happens, it's devastating," Haun said of losing his sight. "You have to have to get a positive attitude to know you can go on with your life."
Haun went through a comprehensive rehabilitation at Hines Veterans Hospital in Maywood, Ill. He was determined to lead a life filled with adventure. It was at the Hines Veterans Hospital where he first took up the game of golf. For his final orientation and mobility training test, he had to go down to the Chicago Loop to purchase a specific shirt on his own.
"If you can find your way down to the Chicago Loop, you can find your way anywhere in the world," Haun said.
He didn't have any problems finding his way around the country club Wednesday. Hunter lined him up for tee shots and warned him of hazards like trees, sand traps and water. When Haun reached the green, he would have a fellow golfer tap the pin or hole with their club so he could gauge the distance. He would walk the green to determine the angle and to see if he was putting up or down hill.
"I'm only as good as the input from my coach," he said of Hunter.
Since becoming blind, Haun has gone on to climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, run in two marathons and competed in 100 karate tournaments as a second-degree black belt.
"If someone says you can't do something, you will do something to make those limitations become a reality," Haun said.
As "The Amazing Haundini," he has performed magic shows at Badger Days, Monroe, and at many schools in the Rockford area. Haun works with children to inspire them to achieve, he said.
Haun is also the author of several books including "Vision from the Heart," "Reflections of Helen" and a "Diary of a Blind Magician," which includes Hunter and will be out soon. He also will be in the movie "Jane's Journey," a documentary on Dr. Jane Goodall that will feature appearances by Angelina Jolie and Pierce Brosnan.
The movie will open in the U.S. this fall and will also be played on "Animal Planet" in the fall.
"You have to take the cards you are dealt and play those cards," Haun said. "The challenges we face define who we are. It defines our character. You can never give up. No matter what, don't give in to self-limitations."
He has gone mountain climbing, sky diving and swimming with great white sharks in South Africa. He also met Bill Hunter, Monroe, who takes him golfing each year in Monroe.
Haun and Hunter opened some eyes at the Monroe Country Club Wednesday.
"We first met through magic," Haun said of Hunter.
Haun participated in a six-player golf scramble with Hunter, Larry Kundert, Dianne Kundert, Denny Frehner and Esther Frehner.
"Dreams without doing are an unfulfilled ambition," Haun said.
Haun is a former Marine Corps sergeant who lost his sight in 1973 when he was sprayed by hot hydraulic fluid while working on a helicopter.
"When it first happens, it's devastating," Haun said of losing his sight. "You have to have to get a positive attitude to know you can go on with your life."
Haun went through a comprehensive rehabilitation at Hines Veterans Hospital in Maywood, Ill. He was determined to lead a life filled with adventure. It was at the Hines Veterans Hospital where he first took up the game of golf. For his final orientation and mobility training test, he had to go down to the Chicago Loop to purchase a specific shirt on his own.
"If you can find your way down to the Chicago Loop, you can find your way anywhere in the world," Haun said.
He didn't have any problems finding his way around the country club Wednesday. Hunter lined him up for tee shots and warned him of hazards like trees, sand traps and water. When Haun reached the green, he would have a fellow golfer tap the pin or hole with their club so he could gauge the distance. He would walk the green to determine the angle and to see if he was putting up or down hill.
"I'm only as good as the input from my coach," he said of Hunter.
Since becoming blind, Haun has gone on to climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, run in two marathons and competed in 100 karate tournaments as a second-degree black belt.
"If someone says you can't do something, you will do something to make those limitations become a reality," Haun said.
As "The Amazing Haundini," he has performed magic shows at Badger Days, Monroe, and at many schools in the Rockford area. Haun works with children to inspire them to achieve, he said.
Haun is also the author of several books including "Vision from the Heart," "Reflections of Helen" and a "Diary of a Blind Magician," which includes Hunter and will be out soon. He also will be in the movie "Jane's Journey," a documentary on Dr. Jane Goodall that will feature appearances by Angelina Jolie and Pierce Brosnan.
The movie will open in the U.S. this fall and will also be played on "Animal Planet" in the fall.
"You have to take the cards you are dealt and play those cards," Haun said. "The challenges we face define who we are. It defines our character. You can never give up. No matter what, don't give in to self-limitations."
