Nathanael Wales was born in Madison, Wisconsin. Around age nine, his family left Wisconsin and moved to California.
Born legally blind, Nathanael went to a public school. Originally, he was able to read large print. In high school, he learned Braille, which became useful in life, since it was less challenging to read.
As a shy person, he always enjoyed playing with legos and building blocks during childhood. “I loved building structures, building things people would live in and use. I was good at Math and Science, and enjoyed both subjects.”
Usually whilst building, he did not follow the instructions, but rather used logic to create his own construction. Creativity was also important in designing a finished lego piece.
During high school, Nathanael participated on a mock trial team, solving complex cases. Some of them involved technical logic – analyzing fibers, and other scientific work. “Mock trial allowed me to strengthen my critical thinking and logic skills. I also tried to take as many science classes I could take – including AP Physics and calculus.”
Nathanael’s family came across the National Federation of the blind while looking for various devices for making reading large print easier. In California, there were many conventions throughout the year. There, they met blind people who participated in the National Federation of the Blind, and became successful role models. “In my area, there wasn’t really a chapter. It was a rural place where I lived, so we stayed involved in state events.”
Upon completion of his high school career in 1996, MR. Wales attended the Louisiana center for the Blind, as well as his first convention in Los Angeles.
In 2001, he Graduated from the University of California Davis, earning a Bachelor’s In engineering. A few years later, Nathanael Wales successfully earned his Professional engineers license.
One government job, which he worked in required logic in figuring out the most economical design for dams or Reservoirs. The problems ranged from questions such as “How much profit will this dam make?” to ones such as “Where should it be built so the least amount of impact in the environment is made?” which required the use of more complex logic.
His current federal job involves solving environmental complaints customers might have with their water supplies. ”The challenge of it is that we’re dealing with real people and their concerns of way of life. What is very rewarding is when you can provide them with a better water supply which doesn’t impact their environment.”
Today, Nathanael is married to a law student who is visually impaired and lives a successful life, enjoying what he loves to do: Engineering and building. He first participated as a mentor in Youth slam in 2007. This year, he is back, instructing the Go green track. “The challenge this year is to make sure that the content is good. That we are doing things that the students are learning from.”