Community comes together to gift student AI-powered glasses
By Tracey Tylman
For the Enquirer
Walking into Leslie Freeman’s classroom at Falkville High School, you’re met with colorful prom dresses, motivational signs and the warm presence of a dedicated special education teacher. On March 4, her student Chelsey Bowers received a life-changing gift for her 20th birthday— a pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
Bowers, who is completely blind and set to graduate on May 20, had been excited about the possibility of using the AI-powered glasses to gain more independence. Even without them, she has had an active high school experience. A talented pianist since the age of seven, she has performed in Christmas programs, and in her sophomore year, she won Miss Congeniality in the Falkville High School beauty walk. Known for her outgoing and determined personality, Bowers is beloved by her classmates, including close friends Chloe Thomas and Alex Parker, who were there to celebrate the surprise.
Chelsey reads a birthday card with the help of her new AI-powered Meta glasses. Photo by Tracey Tylman.
Meta Glasses provide real-time audio descriptions of the environment, giving visually impaired individuals greater autonomy. They can assist with tasks like reading labels, navigating spaces and even identifying people. Freeman, who has taught Bowers for the past three years, saw the glasses as a valuable tool to help her transition into adulthood with more confidence.
To fund the gift, Freeman turned to a Facebook group she is a part of commonly known as “Bin Kids.” Originally started as a recipe-sharing forum, the group has grown into a nationwide community that frequently comes together to support those in need. Past efforts include raising $6,000 for a tornado victim, donating more than 700 pizzas to first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing $3,000 to help provide Christmas gifts for local children. When Freeman shared Bowers’ story, the group raised the $400 needed for the glasses in less than 24 hours.
Chelsey Bowers, center, a senior at Falkville High School, celebrates her 20th birthday with the ELA classmates and teacher, Leslie Freeman March 4. Photo by Tracey Tylman.
Freeman selected the Skyler model in shiny chalk gray with pink lenses and planned a surprise presentation during Bowers’ ELA class. Expecting just a cupcake celebration, Bowers was overwhelmed when Freeman placed the glasses on her face. As she realized what they were, she couldn’t stop smiling. Her first words were “Hey Meta,” activating AI technology.
After setting up the glasses, Bowers used them to read a handwritten birthday card from Freeman—something she had never been able to do on her own before. She also asked them to describe the people and objects around her, further exploring their capabilities. Later, she FaceTimed her parents to share the excitement, marking a birthday none of them will forget.
Looking ahead, Bowers is preparing to take the Job Access With Speech (JAWS) certification exam, which could make her only the second person in Alabama certified in this assistive technology. She hopes to continue her education in the field and help others learn how to use similar tools.
