David DeNotaris and his wife Mariann with their children 3-year-old Marykate, seven-month-old Emily, and 5-year-old David Jr.

David DeNotaris learned to play catch with his dad in the backyard when he was 8 years old just like most little boys. But instead of using a baseball, DeNotaris's father tossed him a multicolored beach ball. At that point DeNotaris, born with the rare eye disorder Retinitis Pigmentosa, was already losing his vision and could only see in contrasts. Doctors insisted DeNotaris's life was hopeless; his family, however, thought otherwise. "I remember my father said to me, 'I'm not teaching you how to play catch, I'm teaching you that you could do whatever you want to do, you just have to figure out how.'"

Today, at 34 years old, DeNotaris is a nationally known speaker, best-selling author, world-champion athlete, a husband and father of three. To add to his long list of accomplishments, DeNotaris will earn a master's degree in administration supervision, leadership training and development with a concentration in education. His inspirational story led him to be chosen as the graduate speaker at commencement, where he will address nearly 15,000 people at Continental Airlines Arena, a task he's more than happy to tackle.

DeNotaris says it is his purpose to inspire and encourage others and he plans on getting that message across during his speech. "I believe my eyes were closed to help others see their potential," he said. "My job is to tell people, 'Look at what I can do with my eyes closed. Imagine what you can do with your eyes open.' "

DeNotaris realized at a young age that he had the power to affect people. "When I was 9 years old in the fourth grade, my dad took me out of school one day. He said, 'You're going to speak to some of my friends at the Montclair Lions Club. They want to hear about how you go to school, play and read.' I stood up, started talking and I was in complete control. I knew immediately I wanted to speak before groups. It felt so right. My dad said, 'You have the ability to reach people.'"

By the age of 19, DeNotaris lost his sight completely. He was a sophomore at East Stroudsburg University and continued with his studies to earn a bachelor's degree in speech communications. It was also at East Stroudsburg where he met the woman he would eventually marry. DeNotaris and his wife Mariann have been married for nine years and he credits her as being his biggest supporter. "If you think I'm amazing, you should meet her," he said with a laugh. "She keeps it all together." The couple has three children, David Jr., 5, Marykate, 3 and Emily, 7 months.

With a growing family and a full-time job at the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Newark, where he's been coordinator of assistive technology services for the past three years, DeNotaris took on the challenge of pursuing a master's degree. "It was something I always knew I wanted to do," he said, "and Montclair State was the best choice."

For DeNotaris, who uses Braille and a special computer, getting through his classes wasn't easy, especially one semester when a book for his Organizational Development class was not available on cassette or computer disc. DeNotaris sings the praise of the faculty and staff for helping him to get through. "Angie Wallerich, a counselor in the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities, and a group of students scanned the entire book into the computer," he said. "Talk about people going above and beyond the call of duty to help somebody. When you help other people, you always help yourself."

As he reflects on the experience of earning a degree, DeNotaris says he's proud of who he's become through the process. "Personally, it's given me the confidence that I can achieve what I set out to do," he said. "Professionally, it's given me the credibility and the chance to be exposed to new opportunities." DeNotaris plans to continue to educate people in schools and organizations.

Through the years, DeNotaris has found it's not his condition as much as it is discrimination that has been his toughest challenge. When he was in seventh grade he was told he didn't have to take gym and instead was given a study hall option. Never willing to have his son be treated differently, DeNotaris's father and the school compromised and let him try weightlifting. In 1983 he entered the New Jersey High School Powerlifting Championship and won. "That was just another obstacle that I turned into an opportunity," he said. "I was once told that blindness was going to beat me or I was going to beat it." DeNotaris competed until 1991, winning three national power lifting championships and two world championships.

In 2001, DeNotaris had his first motivational book published, Feeling Your Way Through Life, a journey through challenges, insights and possibilities. On the cover is a beach ball. "The book is filled with insights, stories and ideas that will help you figure out how to lead a more satisfying, happy and fulfilling life," he said.

In addition, DeNotaris offers a daily inspirational hotline that he says professionals, ranging from teachers to executives, call regularly. "No matter who you are or what you do, people need encouragement like flowers need rain."

DeNotaris's greatest piece of advice in dealing with obstacles is that "it's not about the problems you have, it's your willingness to face them."

"We become what we think about. I'd rather think about the possibilities and helping people, rather than asking why me?" But he adds you can't do it alone. "You need the three Fs: faith, family and friends. Whatever problem you have, be it physical, financial or social, if you've got these things, you can't miss."

As he takes the podium at Commencement, DeNotaris will face his audience the same way he faces each and every challenge in his life — with dignity and dedication. "One of the reasons I truly wanted to be the graduate speaker is because I know I have a message and I'm proud that I can help deliver the message that Montclair State University believes in people too," he said. "MSU believed in me."