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My ‘Gotcha’ Moment: Tech and Blindness Misunderstandings
Mondays with decent weather mean one thing: a walk to my favorite local spot, BeanStalk Coffee on Main Street here in Norman, Oklahoma. I cut through the brisk wind, navigate the crosswalks with my cane tapping the way, and arrive around 8 AM feeling accomplished. I order my usual drip coffee (the barista kindly brews a fresh batch when it’s low), grab it when it’s ready, and head outside to a bench a few hundred feet away. Coffee in one hand, I settle in, pull out my iPhone, and start scrolling through Instagram the way I always do. That’s when it happened. A guy approaches, big smile on his face,…
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A Shot in the Dark: Still Chasing Light as a Blind Photographer
Hi, I’m Jefferson Davis, I’m a photographer. It still feels a little absurd saying that out loud sometimes, like confessing a quirky habit at an awkward support group meeting. “Hi, my name is Jefferson, and I’m a blind guy who insists on taking pictures.” But here I am, more than five decades into this wild ride on planet Earth, still hauling cameras around and clicking shutters, even as my vision fades. It all started way back when I was just one day old. I contracted spinal meningitis in the hospital, a brutal infection that nearly ended my story before it really began. I survived, but the damage was done. It…
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Progressively Blind Photography
As someone on the cusp of complete blindness, I’ve found joy and frustration in equal measure within the vibrant online communities for the blind and visually impaired. Social media groups buzz with stories of adaptation, innovation, and triumphs over adversity, reminders that we are not defined by our lack of sight but rather our spirit. This morning, whilst scrolling through my feed, I stumbled upon a post from Blind New World that caught my attention. It linked to an article in Amateur Photographer titled, “How Can a blind photographer take such great photos? Find out here.” As a photographer who’s been chasing light and shadow for nearly 40 years, selling…
