Rosenthal

The Electric Review: Behind Our Eyes, Reviewed by Miranda Orso

BEHIND OUR EYES: STORIES, POEMS AND ESSAYS BY WRITERS WITH DISABILITIES. Sanford Rosenthal. Edited by Marilyn Brandt Smith. iUniverse. Reviewed by Miranda Orso

Behind the eyes, minds and pens of the twenty-seven contributors of this captivating book dwells a heightened sense of being memorialized in the flawless beauty of the written word. As readers will immediately note, even though most of the authors collected here are without sight, they are not without and an interesting story or poem meant to help the public better understand blindness. For example, "Bud and Me Around the World," written by Sanford Rosenthal, paints a picture of what everyday life is like with a guide dog – offering readers a real chance to explore the challenges that this disability presents. And just what kinds of "problems" might blind people encounter because their eyes are attached to the eyes of a dog? Apparently, despite clearly written laws, it is generally an uneducated public that causes the most trouble for the visually impaired; as Rosenthal writes:

"There were many places where we were refused accommodations. Apartments suddenly became occupied when we arrived. Sometimes they blatantly stated the obvious; one of us was a dog. It didn't matter to them that the law was on my side. " (At page 36). Stepping further into the collection, Albert Cooper's "Oh, Thank God I'm Blind" serves as an interesting cry for society to begin to recognize people with disabilities and their vital role in the American workplace. Specifically, Cooper asks that lawmakers, corporations and the general public acknowledge people with disabilities as important, productive members of the community, saying [that] "It takes a great deal of strength to overcome biased attitudes against individuals who may appear to be different, but every now and then we need to take a reality check and stand up for what is right." (At page 109). In sum, this book is filled with intimate stories and poems that awaken the mind and spirit of the reader. Simply, what is most striking about Behind Our Eyes is the amount of courage and conviction required to tell these stories – each of the contributors inspiring us to look beyond preconceived notions of 'disability.' Basically, Behind Our Eyes forces each of us to confront the harsh reality that says that life is cruel. Bluntly, a disability can strike anyone at any time – blindness taking no discretion as to who it affects and when. However, the writers of this book teach us that behind every disability is still a strong- willed human spirit with the ability to persevere. As Rosenthal and his co-writers demonstrate, with the help of aides, canes and guide dogs, a dark world can be permanently illuminated and a quality life savored. Order from amazon.com

Miranda Orso is a freelance writer currently residing in Philadelphia. She graduated from Penn State University in 2002 with a degree in Journalism. Reach her through The Electric Review.