Read Gianni's story, the man who trasformed difficulties into opportunities

Gianni Endrizzi is a man who has transformed difficulties into opportunities, proving that nothing is impossible when you believe in your own abilities. Visually impaired for years, he decided to take on a challenge that seemed unthinkable: dedicating himself to woodworking. For two years, Gianni has been working with passion and determination on this project, creating handcrafted works that tell a story of resilience. His Instagram channel is a window into his world, where he shares every step of his work, every success, and every small forward movement. The message he wants to convey is simple but powerful: never give up. With commitment, perseverance, and a bit of determination, any goal—even those that seem unreachable—can be achieved.

"Le luci del legno" (The Lights of Wood) was born at the end of 2023, not necessarily to showcase what I create, but with the goal of sending a message, as well as my lifelong motto: never give up. With tenacity and consistency, goals that often seem unreachable can be achieved. I carry out this project with the help of my "digital team," consisting of adolescent boys and girls, who, under the coordination of my dear friend, assist me with photos, reels, and writing texts. Let me explain why. I’m Gianni Endrizzi, born in 1968 in Fai della Paganella, Trentino, and at the age of six, I began to progressively lose my sight due to a degenerative genetic retinal disease.

Now, let me get to the main reason I’m here to share my story. I began working with wood nearly thirty years ago, initially using my brother’s woodworking machine out of curiosity, completely self-taught. Gradually, that simple curiosity turned into a deep passion, making it my primary hobby. As I often say, my workshop is the most beautiful place in the world, my safe space, a magical world where I can create, have fun, and relax. But most importantly, it’s where everything becomes lighter.

What do I love most about CMT?

Needless to say, all the router bits for my pantograph are CMT because, for me, they are the most reliable, offering a clean and sharp cut. For a long time, I had wanted a dust-extracting router table, and this year I finally purchased the CMT model I had been considering and wishing for. Among all the ones I had seen, it was the most complete.

As I expected, the table met all my expectations. It's extremely useful for woodworking, precise, and especially safe, as it provides reliable references for the cutter, which is crucial for me.

What would I recommend to anyone starting this craft?

First of all, a lot of passion and time to dedicate. It requires precision and patience. If you pay attention, wood tells a story and colors our thoughts, whispering what it wants to become.

I hope you understand what I mean because it’s truly like that. The grains, knots, fragrance, roughness, smoothness, and weight are all important elements that I believe must be considered and respected. That’s my advice. Naturally, these are the suggestions of a hobbyist woodworker and eternal beginner. Then, what can I say? Never give up in everything we do, not just woodworking. We must try not to let ourselves be "trapped" by the belief that our limits have boundaries. Maybe they don't. It’s up to us to try, with determination, to go beyond, even though reaching the goal is not always easy.

An example of how inner strength can overcome any barrier. Thank you, Gianni!