by Sarah J. Blake
E-publication date: 1998
In 1998, I began a journey in response to a personal struggle. Despite the fact that I had grown up with very limited vision and was comfortable using nonvisual techniques, I experienced an emotional crisis when I suddenly lost my remaining vision. My emotional reaction forced me to come to terms with my feelings about blindness and its impact on my life.
Since beginning the journey, I have often felt compelled to tell my story. Many biographies have been published by people who are blind, and all of them provide insight into the various reactions people have to blindness. I am happy to add my voice to this collection in honor of the fifth anniversary of the beginning of my journey. I have decided to make this first edition available free online in an effort to raise awareness of blindness and the issues involved in getting medical treatment for severe eye problems. I am also facing the possibility of more surgery, and I expect to publish an updated edition in the future. My ability to have the surgery depends on two things: being a candidate for the procedure and raising money to cover the procedure. For more information about the procedure and my status, please visit my artificial cornea page.
Some of the events and thoughts I describe in this book are not positive on the surface. The fact that blindness does not need to relegate a person to a life of inactivity and sadness is very important for me to communicate. This is why I devote most of my work to writing books and articles that give people information that empowers them to remain active and overcome the barriers that blindness can place in the path. This book is no different; however, its method is. I felt that speaking honestly about my struggles would provide encouragement for other people who are in their own process of coming to terms with similar experiences and feelings, especially because I am now much more satisfied with my life despite the disappointing results of my treatment. I pray that the story is as cleansing for you to read as it has been for me to write.
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