Spain: 50 Blind Persons Describe their Social Inclusion in a new book, "Con otra Mirada" (Another sight)
Ignacio Santa María (Solidaridad Digital)
On October 10, the National Organization of Blind Persons of Spain (Organización Nacional de Ciegos, ONCE) presented at Círculo de Bellas Artes, en Madrid, the book "Con otra mirada: Conversaciones", (Another Sight: Conversations) with comments and interviews of 50 blind persons: priests, politicians, television personalities, artists, physicians, and teachers.
Jose Miguel Vila, the author of this book is a journalist, and member of ONCE. He used the interviews from his radio program for Channel 11, from 2001 and 2002.
Mr. Vila has portrayed these individuals as optimistic, yet realistic people: "There is a history of struggle, will power, and persistence behind each of these persons interviewed. Life was not easy for any of them," the author concludes.
José Miguel Vila believes that the individuals he interviewed are persons first. Then they are described as "an adjective that is added... the person is the essence". The book is about strength and will power. The author presents the examples of some blind painters who were able to find techniques to paint with perspective and colors.
The book "Con otra mirada. Conversaciones" was edited by ONCE in regular print, Braille, and sound editions. The digital version will be ready soon. During the presentation to the press, José Miguel Vila expressed his gratitude to ONCE, without whose support such a challenge would have been more difficult.
He also mentioned that the National Organization of the Blind is an important part of each of the 50 stories: "The persons appearing in the book, would not have achieved what they did achieve, without the support of this organization. In Spain we have many more blind persons working in public than in other countries. That is thanks to our organisation."
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