As I’m researching my two upcoming books, Blind and Blind Economy, I’ve pondered the question,

Where would the world be without blind people?

There would be some folks who’d say we don’t make a difference—that would leave us to fend for ourselves on the mountain tops, streets, and blind communities—leaving the non-blind people alone. However, if you stop and think about blind folks throughout history, you’d come to realize that we have made a significant difference in the social-economic structure of the globe.

We all know folks like Helen Keller and Louise Braille for their influences on the blind and non-blind communities; and we know about Ray Charles, Andrea Bocelli, and Stevie Wonder for their musical contributions; and we may even dig a little further and remember that Galileo, Homer, and Milton were blind. Stop … really, STOP! … What would the world be without these people?

Think about that for a minute before you read any further.

Now, think about what the world would be like without Monet, Pulitzer, and Roosevelt. Yes, these folks were legally blind!

And there’re so many more. So, you see just as you, the seeing people have touched our lives, us, the blind have impacted yours. We all make a difference! We all matter! We all have a voice. We all are valuable, lovable, and worthy.

In my upcoming books, I’m going to let you know how you, the sighted, can help us, the blind, to have equal participation in the world.

It’s time for blind people to have equal access to technology!
It’s time for blind people to be seen with high expectations!
It’s time for blind people to achieve independence and dignity
And, it’s time for blind people to be a part of the 3% unemployment, not the 70% of unemployment or underemployment!
The time is now to promote equality in all characteristics of society.

I challenge you not to read my blogs with passivity, but to discuss these things with your loved ones, friends, and even me! I challenge you to buy my upcoming books! I challenge you to make a difference, change the way you see, and change the way you live!