Special Collections
Blindness and Visual Impairment Special Collection
Description: A collection featuring biographies, memoirs, fiction and non-fiction by and about members of the blind community. #disability
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Memoirs of a Lechuguero
by Lucio PadillaThe autobiography depicts the life of a Mexican migrant farm worker who overcomes his disadvantages to be the first college graduate in his family. The veteran lettuce harvester suffers a crippling, job related injury that leaves him unable to work. During the painful recovery, he goes through a series of flashbacks of key events leading to the injury. Inspired by a blind man and a former teacher, he finds the turning point of his life.
Lucio Padilla came to the United States at age nine with his family to work the fields of central and southern California. As a teenager he endured the hardships and abuses that farm workers experience. He dropped out of school at age fifteen to become a lechuguero (lettuce harvester). He married at age sixteen with his sweetheart Maria Elena. Together they faced their disadvantages to raise a family and give them better opportunities. The story portrays the farm worker's way of life; it illustrates the harsh living conditions and the enslaving routines. Particular phrases in Spanish are used to illustrate the language, culture, and values of the farm worker's families.
Max Carrados
by Ernest BramahLegendary blind detective Max Carrados doesn't need his eyesight to see the crook in a tough case Max Carrados is the greatest detective you've never heard of. He may be blind, but what Carrados lacks in sight he more than makes up for in perception. He can pick out a voice in a crowded room and read a book by running his fingers over the print. Those who underestimate his abilities are soon surprised by the keen Carrados. In one story, Carrados tracks down a criminal by analyzing a coin without ever leaving his study. Another finds him solving the mystery of a train accident that has far more to it than anyone expected. Bramah's stories of Carrados regularly appeared in the Strand magazine, receiving top billing even over those of Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
The Manual of Darkness
by Enrique De HerizThe world's best magician is going blind, but is there a story in his past that can save him? Victor Losa has spent his life studying magic. His mentor, Mario Galvan, taught him not only the practical aspects of the art, but also its history and the lives of famous Victorian magicians such as Hoffman, Maskelyne, and Cooke, and the most enigmatic historical figure of all, Peter Grouse, a pickpocket who decided to challenge the best magicians of the day. But suddenly things change for Victor Losa, just as he is proclaimed the world's best magician. A light appears in his eye, but this is no magic trick - he is diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition of the optical nerve. In short, he is rapidly going blind. As he loses his sight, Victor finds that there are new ways to conjure the world through stories of the past, present and future. And finally he learns the secret behind his mentor's teachings.
The Making Of Blind Men
by Robert A. ScottThe disability of blindness is a learned social role. The various attitudes and patterns of behavior that characterize people who are blind are not inherent in their condition but, rather, are acquired through ordinary processes of social learning. The Making of Blind Men is intended as a systematic and integrated overview of the blindness problem in America.
Dr. Scott chronicles which aspects of this problem are being dealt with by organizations for the blind and the effectiveness of this intervention system. He details the potential consequences of blind people becoming clients of blindness agencies by pointing out that many of the attitudes, behavior patterns, and qualities of character that have been assumed to be given to blind people by their condition are, in fact, products of socialization. As the self-concepts of blind men are generated by the same processes of socialization that shape us all,
Dr. Scott puts forth the challenge of reforming the organized intervention system by critically evaluating the validity of blindness workers' assumptions about blindness and the blind. It is felt that an enlightened work force can then render the socialization process of the blind into a rational and deliberate force for positive change.
Lullaby of Birdland
by George Shearing and Alyn ShiptonBritish pianist George Shearing emigrated to the United States in 1947, going on to achieve success in an American jazz world impressed with the accomplishments of the blind musician. In his autobiography he narrates his childhood, his beginnings in music, and his activities and encounters in the world of jazz. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Long Time, No See
by Beth FinkeLong Time, No See is certainly an inspiring story, but Beth Finke does not aim to inspire. Eschewing reassuring platitudes and sensational pleas for sympathy, she charts her struggles with juvenile diabetes, blindness, and a host of other hardships, sharing her feelings of despair and frustration as well as her hard-won triumphs. Rejecting the label "courageous," she prefers to describe herself using the phrase her mother invoked in times of difficulty: "She did what she had to do." With unflinching candor and acerbic wit, Finke chronicles the progress of the juvenile diabetes that left her blind at the age of twenty-six as well as the seemingly endless spiral of adversity that followed. First she was forced out of her professional job. Then she bore a multiply handicapped son. But she kept moving forward, confronting marital and financial problems and persevering through a rocky training period with a seeing-eye dog. Finke's life story and her commanding knowledge of her situation give readers a clear understanding of diabetes, blindness, and the issues faced by parents of children with significant disabilities. Because she has taken care to include accurate medical information as well as personal memoir, Long Time, No See serves as an excellent resource for others in similar situations and for professionals who deal with disabled adults or children.
Little By Little
by Jean LittleJean Little, award winning Canadian author, writes her first book of memoirs. Written with vivid recall of emotions and events, Little's autobiography begins with her early childhood in Taiwan, covers her growing up legally blind, dealing with public school and social problems, and ends with the publication of her first book, Mine for Keeps. Jean Little's work has mainly consisted of children's literature, but she has also written two autobiographies: Little by Little and Stars Come Out Within. Little has been partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and is frequently accompanied by a guide dog.
Lights Out
by L SubramaniAn inspirational book about one man's (L Subramani) descent into blindness and his fight to live a normal life after it.
Lights Out
by Travis FreemanWhen the lights go out - play harder. Travis Freeman plunged into a world of darkness at 12 years old. A rare occurrence of a routine illness stole his sight, leaving the small-town Kentucky boy's dreams of football and fun languishing on the sidelines. Having given his heart to Jesus merely a year before the illness, Travis knew one thing: God was still the light for his life. That life story is now the inspiration for a major motion picture, ""23 BLAST"" that hits theatres in October 2014.
Let Freedom Ring
by National Federation of the BlindA collection of letters to President Obama about the experience of using braille.
The Kingdom Within
by Genevieve CaulfieldGenevieve Caulfield became blind as an infant, and was educated at the Perkins and Overbrook Schools for the Blind before attending college. When she was seventeen she became passionately interested in Japan, and determined to work there as a teacher. This memoir describes her long and careful preparations for her move to Japan, and her 14 years there as a teacher of English. In 1937, as Japan went to war in Manchuria and its relations with the United States deteriorated, Caulfield relocated to Thailand, where she established that nation's first school for blind children. Along the way Caulfield made innumerable friends, adopted a Japanese daughter, and raised her twin grandchildren after her daughter's tragic death. Life in Thailand during World War II is vividly portrayed in this memoir. This is a straightforward account by a woman of enormous determination and ability.
Kenneth Jernigan
by Kenneth JerniganCompiled writings of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan with editorial introduction and notes
The Journey to Independence
by Euclid HerieThe Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) has sought to improve the lives of generations of blind Canadians. Established in 1918, this philanthropic organization has guided blind people out of a time of poverty and abuse, bringing them the same rights and freedoms as all Canadians.
This book explores the history of the CNIB - from the men who crafted its charter to the people who have made it so successful. Millions of Canadians have been touched by the services it provides or by its message of hope. The CNIB has left a legacy in Canada’s legislative, judicial, and cultural fabric, and it is a history that must be told.
An Iranian Odyssey
by Gohar KordiFrom the Book Jacket: Gohar Kordi was born in a small Kurdish village in Iran. At the age of four, she became blind. She writes of her growing up in the country, the family's move to Tehran and her personal struggle to get an education and become the first woman student at the university. Compelling, with a quiet, hypnotic power, An Iranian Odyssey is an autobiography that reveals its belief that adversity can be overcome.
Invisible
by Hugues De MontalembertThe impressionistic memoir of an artist who was blinded in a sudden act of violence, leading to a profound meditation on what it means to see and be seen. "You live in a city like New York. You read the papers. You look at the television. But you never think it will happen to you. It happened to me one evening. " One summer night in 1978, Hugues de Montalembert returned home to his New York City apartment to find two men robbing him. In a violent struggle, one of the assailants threw paint thinner in Hugues' face. Within a few hours, he was completely blind. Eloquent and provocative, Invisible moves beyond the horrific events of that night to what happened to Hugues after he lost his sight: his rehabilitation, his solo travels around the world, and the remarkable way he learned to "see" even without the use of his eyes. Without a trace of self-pity, Hugues describes his transition from an up-and-coming painter to a blind man who had to learn to walk with a cane. His status changed in the eyes of other people as their reactions ranged from avoidance to making him their confidant. Hugues traveled to faraway places and learned to trust strangers and find himself at home in any situation. Part philosophy, part autobiography, part inspiration, Invisible will change the way readers understand reality and their place in the world.
Inner Vision
by Craig Macfarlane and Gib TwymanCraig MacFarlane lost his sight at age 2 and went on to become not only the world's greatest blind athlete, but a much-sought-after motivational speaker. His message is PRIDE -- Perseverance, Respect, Individuality, Desire and Enthusiasm.
In The Land I Did Not Choose
by Ana L. CuevasPrejudice and discrimination against people with mental and physical disabilities still exist. Ana L. Cuevas, a blind woman, knows this all too well. But she also knows compassion, love, and courage. This book is a testament to her determination to reach her dreams no matter the obstacles. As a young girl, Ana moved to the United States from Mexico against her will. Her parents picked this country, and though it has its faults, Ana is forever grateful. This land is where she received the proper education and tools to lead a full life. However, while researching pregnancy and disabilities, Ana realizes she is considered different in the eyes of others. Many "able-bodied" people assume blindness affects intelligence, speech, and other capabilities. Knowing this changes the way Ana looks at the world. This is a problem that must be addressed by the public and the government to alleviate prejudices and help people with disabilities achieve the same success as their peers. This poignant memoir will have you cheering, crying, and standing up for love and acceptance of all people in this world. It is a must-read for counselors, social workers, psychologists, and teachers.
Infinite Vision
by Suchitra Shenoy and Pavithra MehtaWhen a crippling disease shattered his lifelong ambition, Dr. V (Venkataswamy) chose an impossible new dream: to cure the world of blindness. The tiny clinic he founded in India defied conventional business logic and is now the largest provider of eye care on the planet. At Aravind, patients choose whether to pay or not. Millions are treated for free, yet the organization remains stunningly self-reliant. Serving everyone from penniless farmers to the president, it delivers world-class outcomes at less than a hundredth of what similar services cost in advanced nations. Its model is emulated by organizations everywhere from Rwanda to San Francisco. Infinite Vision uncovers the radical principles behind Aravind’s baffling success. Charged with profound insights and stories, it draws readers to the heart of Dr. V’s selfless vision, proving how choices that seem quixotic can, when executed with compassion and integrity, yield incredible results—results that can light the eyes of millions.
If You Could See What I Hear
by Tom Sullivan and Derek L. GillThis memoir traces the life of Tom Sullivan from premature birth to age 26. Born blind from too much oxygen in his preemie incubator, he is alternately overprotected and set loose. His parents both encourage and hinder him. Mr Sullivan graduates from Perkins School for the Blind with many records, including most number of suspensions. He eventually graduates from Harvard, and pursues a life with music. He marries and has two children.
I Can Feel Blue On Monday
by Marc MaurerThe title vignette involves a teacher who is determined that a young boy (who is blind) should be able to feel the color of the piece of paper which she gives him. When he assures her that this is not possible, the teacher badgers him until he answers: "I can feel blue on Monday." He is sent to the principal's office for punishment. The principal is a wise man, and the "punishment" is quite fun. "The present volume, I Can Feel Blue on Monday, is number nineteen in the [Kernel Book] series. Here you will meet old friends and new-the real blind men and women whose stories tell what blindness is and, perhaps equally important, what it is not. Although our problems often seem complex, they frequently result from simple matters of misunderstanding and lack of information. ... How does a blind tourist absorb the splendor of the palace of the Imperial Chinese Emperor? What about the woman with failing eyesight who can no longer see the beautiful wings of a butterfly-can she no longer hope to experience those magical moments of beauty which once moved her to tears? And, finally, if (as Thomas Edison once said) 80 percent of all we learn comes through the eye, can our hope for normal lives be anything more than a futile dream?
How Late It Was, How Late
by James KelmanA raw, wry vision of human survival in a bureaucratic world, How Late It Was, How Late opens one Sunday morning in Glasgow, Scotland, as Sammy, an ex-convict with a penchant for shoplifting, awakens in a lane and tries to remember the two-day drinking binge that landed him there. Then, things only get worse. Sammy gets in a fight with some soldiers, lands in jail, and discovers that he is completely blind. His girlfriend disappears, the police probe him endlessly, and his stab at Disability Compensation embroils him in the Kafkaesque red tape of the welfare system.
A masterpiece of black humor, subtle political parody, and Scottish lower-class vernacular.
Man Booker Prize winner
How Do you Kiss a Blind Girl?
by Sally Roesch WagnerSally Wagner grew up in Prairie Village, Kan., and received a B.A. in English from Grinnell College. She taught high school English in Lakewood, Colorado, and re ceived an M.A. in journalism from the University of Colorado. She turned from teaching to journalism, but within months came the first signs of what led to blindness three years later.
With Andy, her golden retriever dog guide from the Seeing Eye, she took a public relations post, returned to reporting and collected the anecdotes which drew her back to Prairie Village to write this book. Wagner, 42, now covers a police beat for the Kansas City Times from her Prairie Village apartment.
Home Before Dark
by Susan WiggsShe left her child behind, but couldn't let her goAs an irresponsible young mother, Jessie Ryder knew she'd never be able to give her newborn the stable family that her older sister could, and the security her child deserved. So Luz and her husband adopted little Lila and told her Jessie was but a distant aunt.Sixteen years later, having traveled the world with the winds of remorse at her back, Jessie is suspending her photojournalism career to return home-even if it means throwing her sister's world into turmoil.Where life once seemed filled with boundless opportunity, Jessie is now on a journey to redeem her careless past, bringing with her a terrible burden. Jessie's arrival is destined to expose the secrets and lies that barely held her daughter's adoptive family together to begin with, yet the truth can do so much more than just hurt. It can bring you home to a new kind of honesty, shedding its light into the deepest corners of the heart.
Have Dog, Will Travel
by Stephen KuusistoIn a lyrical love letter to guide dogs everywhere, a blind poet shares his delightful story of how a guide dog changed his life and helped him discover a newfound appreciation for travel and independence.
Stephen Kuusisto was born legally blind—but he was also raised in the 1950s and taught to deny his blindness in order to "pass" as sighted. Stephen attended public school, rode a bike, and read books pressed right up against his nose. As an adult, he coped with his limited vision by becoming a professor in a small college town, memorizing routes for all of the places he needed to be. Then, at the age of 38, he was laid off. With no other job opportunities in his vicinity, he would have to travel to find work.
This is how he found himself at Guiding Eyes paired with a Labrador named Corky. In this vivid and lyrical memoir, Stephen Kuusisto recounts how an incredible partnership with a guide dog changed his life and the heart-stopping, wondrous adventure that began for him in midlife. Profound and deeply moving, this is a spiritual journey, the story of discovering that life with a guide dog is both a method and a state of mind.