Long Island Man Overcomes Blindness To Compete On Professional Bowlers' Tour

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- The Professional Bowlers' Tour is the landing spot for the best bowlers in the world. That includes one Long Island native who competes in the pro-ams.

As CBS2's Steve Overmyer explained, Henry Svetina has the skills and the scores, but is missing something that many people take for granted.

"When I first started, I never thought in a million years that I could bowl and do this," Svetina said.

Svetina lines up every shot taking the same measured steps. He's bowled countless strikes, but hasn't seen at single one.

For the past 25 years Svetina has been legally blind. An accident at work with sulfuric acid burned the retinas in his eyes. He can see colors for a few feet, but beyond that it's dark.

"At first I used to hope that it hit, you know. Sometimes you gotta go with your senses and hope your direction is right," he said.

Svetina travels the country competing in pro-ams. He has been offered a spot on the tour, but he refused to get paid to bowl.

He carries a 200 average and has bowled a perfect 300 game twice.

"People are shocked when they see me out there Steve. They're like, 'oh my god, this guy!'" he said.

Svetina said he hopes his success is inspiring others with disabilities to never lose sight of what's possible.

"I wanna go out and enjoy myself, and to show other people in any condition that they can come out and bowl and do just as good as I can and that's it," he said.

Svetina has bowled with professionals numerous times including legendary Keggler Walter Ray.

Henry said his dream is to compete in the Pro-Am World Series of Bowling in Las Vegas in December.