Perseverance is one of humanity\u2019s greatest qualities. With it we have overcome world wars, brutal genocides, plagues (pneumonic and bubonic), earthquakes, tsunamis, and famines. It is our luck then that this particular trait isn\u2019t limited to humans as a collective — but rather it\u2019s something found in each and every one of us.<\/p>\n
A famous story of an individual harnessing this remarkable human quality took place in the early 1900s in the north of France. It was there and then at the young and fragile age of three a boy named Louis irreversibly blinded himself playing with his father\u2019s work tools.<\/p>\n
His story could have ended there. His life could have become something others had to manage, something he no longer controlled or commanded. He could have depended on the mercy, pity, and compassion of others, and no one would have blamed him. In fact, most probably expected that from him.<\/p>\n
But that wasn\u2019t the life meant for Louis.<\/p>\n
He was determined to persevere, because as far as he was concerned, his inability to see didn\u2019t take away his ability to be \u2013 whatever that may be.<\/p>\n
Louis\u2019 way of persevering was to create a way for the blind to communicate. So he took an existing system of bumps and dots called \u201cnight writing\u201d — originally created for Napoleon\u2019s grand army so they could communicate in the dark \u2013 and revised it and made it usable for the blind. It became hugely popular, the standard system for the visually impaired.<\/p>\n
That system came to be known as Braille, named after its creator, and the focus of our story, Louis Braille.<\/p>\n
What can Louis\u2019 story teach us? Plenty, but my favorite take is that no one should be underestimated, regardless of their apparent disability. No one should be robbed of his or her potential or dignity. Even when we mean well, our biases or expectations can unintentionally belittle someone.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re unsure of what you need to do, here are some tips from the Illinois department of human services I found helpful:<\/p>\n
1. Practice the Golden Rule<\/strong><\/p>\n Treat everyone as you would like to be treated. Think of the person first, not their disability. Don’t shy away from people with disabilities – relax and be yourself!<\/em><\/p>\n