This journey through life is not meant to be easy in the best of situations, and it can be filled with roadblocks for people with disabilities. Molly Burke takes us by the hand and leads us into her world of sightlessness and allows us to see.
Unseen: How I Lost My Vision But Found My Voice
I often choose my books by the cover, followed by reading the author’s information and a summary of the story. Molly Burke’s is unusual because it is meant to invite everyone: people with and without sight. The cover includes tactile braille, bold imagery, and gold-foiled lettering to honour the little bit of light perception Molly Burke still has. The cover was made possible by three talented, creative disabled women, Steph, Dominique, and Sam.
When Molly Burke was four years old, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa. This rare degenerative eye disease causes gradual and complete blindness, but this disease never stopped Molly from playing sports or being a rock-climbing instructor.
Molly had to deal with bullying at school and people’s misunderstanding of the definition of legally blind. Molly eventually finds what she thinks is the ideal job as a speaker for Evolving as One. Unfortunately, Molly had to deal with toxic work conditions, her trusted assistant leaving the job, and the loss of her seeing-eye dog. But did this stop Molly? Molly has a voice, and there is no roadblock that can stop her.
Conclusion
Did you know that there is a difference between blind and legally blind? Molly explains the definition and invites the reader into her world as she blossoms into a Canadian YouTube personality, a motivational speaker, and a disability rights advocate. In the television series In the Dark, the character of Murphy Mason is based on Molly Burke.
Unseen: How I Lost My Vision But Found My Voice is a fun read, and I absolutely love how Molly Burke has found so many fun ways to open our understanding of disabilities and the fight to fit in.
