TAMPA, Fla. — A legally blind real estate agent is blazing a trail in his industry. Now he is sharing this story.

Matt Krupke started losing his vision at 16 years old. He said he was playing football with a friend when he noticed blind spots forming in his eyes.

“They prescribed me a medication that was supposed to increase my red blood cell count because it was low; the disease I have is called Methylmalonic,” said Krupke. “After a couple of doses, I realized there were blank spots in my vision. They took me off the drug and in order to keep me from going completely blind, I had a liver and kidney transplant in 2017. Which did allow me to keep some of my eyesight but the damage had already been done.”

Krupke said doctors did not officially link his prescriptions to the blind spots. However, he said he doesn’t have any blind family members, and he only noticed the change after he started taking the prescription.

“A lot of things changed after that,” said Krupke. “I’m legally blind now, which means I can’t drive.” Krupke said that adjusting to his new circumstances was difficult, but he didn’t let that stop him from reaching out for resources.

“I started working with the Commission of the Blind in Syracuse, New York, who helped me with low vision tools and things like that so I would be able to function better in everyday life,” said Krupke.

He used those skills and others he learned along the way to propel him into his career as a real estate agent.

“I work for Property Pros Real Estate in Tampa,” said Krupke. “I like getting up for work because I love helping people find their dream home.” Krupke is the first legally blind real estate agent at Property Pros Real Estate.

He’s also doing well, in less than six months, he’s already secured his first listing.