by Doug Powell
If you haven’t noticed, there have been a few relatively new books on the subject of blindness and vision loss that have emerged somewhat recently, and I thought I would put them together for readers to choose any or all of them to read. I have personally only read one so far, but am planning on reading the others soon. If you read one, why not share your comments on the acb-conversation list?
When You Can’t Believe Your Eyes: Vision Loss and Personal Recovery, DBC 11619
By Hannah Fairbarn
With a special emphasis on the challenges faced by seniors with failing vision, this highly practical how-to focuses on practical, social, and personal recovery for adults who are losing their sight.
The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, DB115575
By Andrew Leland; Reading time: 7 hours, 51 minutes
“We meet Andrew Leland as he’s suspended in the liminal state of the soon-to-be blind: he’s midway through his life with retinitis pigmentosa, a condition that ushers those who live with it from sightedness to blindness over years, even decades. He grew up with full vision, but starting in his teenage years, his sight began to degrade from the outside in, such that he now sees the world as if through a narrow tube. Soon — but without knowing exactly when — he will likely have no vision left. Full of apprehension but also dogged curiosity, Leland embarks on a sweeping exploration of the state of being that awaits him: not only the physical experience of blindness but also its language, politics, and customs. He negotiates his changing relationships with his wife and son, and with his own sense of self, as he moves from his mainstream, ‘typical’ life to one with a disability. Part memoir, part historical and cultural investigation, The Country of the Blind represents Leland’s determination not to merely survive this transition but to grow from it — to seek out and revel in that which makes blindness enlightening. Thought-provoking and brimming with warmth and humor, The Country of the Blind is a deeply personal and intellectually exhilarating tour of a way of being that most of us have never paused to consider — and from which we have much to learn.”
What Every Blind Person Needs You to Know: A Handbook for Friends, Family and Colleagues of the Visually Impaired, DB 116332
By Leanne Hunt; Reading time 3 hours, 54 minutes.
Written by someone who has walked the path of deteriorating eyesight and worked as a qualified crisis counselor, this handbook is designed to show families, friends and colleagues of the visually impaired how to offer support without being patronizing. For many people with sight loss, the real problems aren’t about mobility and access to information. Technology and training can cover these bases and, once a certain degree of competence has been reached, there are ample opportunities for independent exploration. The real problem that comes with being sight-impaired in the 21st century has to do with convincing others that few things are out of reach. Blind people have dreams as big as sighted people, and if they have the determination and courage to pursue those dreams, why stop them? If you or someone you know has been worried about helping a blind companion cope, this book may radically change your outlook. Prepare to be surprised, challenged and even inspired as you consider what new paths might open up as you adopt a fresh approach.
Blurred Vision
by Judith Goode Kirby
Available on Amazon in hard cover and Kindle. (Note: This Kindle version does not work well with Apple VoiceOver. The Audible and BARD versions are in the making.)
What is blurred vision? Is it a physical condition or does it concern matters of the heart? What is the greater loss of vision? Having encountered and dealt with both of these vision challenges for almost 50 years, Judy Kirby confidently shares the value and importance of having spiritual eyes open and aware to God and His beautiful world despite physical vision limitations. “See” how this legally blind author attempts to make this distinction “clear” in her 10-year collection of poems, writings and personally taken photographs.
At the early age of 20 and with a full life ahead of her, Judy Kirby was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Macular Degeneration, which eventually made it impossible to see the faces of family and friends. Driving would cease. Her 1970s college degree in computer programming and accounting would not be utilized. Compared to the technology of this 21st century, what was available then would be considered quite archaic! Fortunately, many huge advances have made it possible for Judy Kirby to have devices that talk to her and even enable her to take pictures with her smart phone of people, places, and things she cannot see. After enlarging her photos on a bigger device, she was able to view them and write her God-inspired entries for this book!