Maya Angelou has been a cultural icon for many years, and even today, she is remembered for her courageous spirit and inspiring words. The question of whether or not Maya Angelou was blind is a complex one that takes into account her own personal experiences and stories. In short, the answer to the question is said to be no, Maya Angelou was not blind.
The truth of the matter is that Maya Angelou experienced a period of temporary blindness in her childhood and adolescence. At the age of eight, she was raped by gang leader, Mr. Freeman, and punished for not screaming. In the aftermath, she was so consumed by guilt and shame that she stopped speaking entirely. During this time of muteness, Maya endured an affliction that has often been confused with functional blindness: Nystagmus, or involuntary eye movements. It is said, however, that she did regain her sight after her muteness was broken.
It is unclear whether or not Maya suffered from any visual impairment later in life, though it is likely that she did not. During a speech delivered at the American Academy of Achievement in 1994, Maya recounted a story in which she discusses traveling to an eye clinic to get a cataract-correcting lens after having suffered partial blindness. It is speculated that this was simply another instance of nystagmus, though no definitive answer has been reached yet.
In any case, Maya Angelou was, by all accounts, not blind. She was an incredibly resilient, determined and courageous woman who overcame adversity and went on to produce some of the most inspirational works of literature. Her legacy has inspired and touched countless people, and for that, she will always be remembered and revered.
Effects of Blindness on Maya Angelou
Blindness, or any form of visual impairment, can have a severe impact on a person’s life. Despite the fact that Maya Angelou was not officially blind, her childhood experience of nystagmus, or involuntary eye movements, would have certainly been harrowing. Her developmentally fragile age and the traumatic circumstances caused by the rape would have undoubtedly impeded her physical, emotional, and psychological growth during that time.
Maya’s experience with nystagmus, however short-lived it may have been, certainly had an impact on her life and writing. Her works have often revealed a delicate and sensitive awareness to the experiences of those with physical impediments. In “Phenomenal Woman”, for example, she celebrated the beauty of rise and falls of her body, a direct result of her experiences of judgment due to her physical appearance. Additionally, her poem, “Caged Bird” is an oblique reference to her own experience of the inner trauma caused by feeling locked out of the world because of her disability.
Through her unique works of literature, Maya Angelou was able to transcend adversity, and even though she was not visually impaired, her own personal accounts indicate that her experiences with nystagmus as a child certainly influenced her works in meaningful and profound ways.
How Maya Angelou Overcame Blindness
As mentioned, Maya Angelou experienced a period of temporary blindness due to her bout with nystagmus as a child. Through her own determination and resilience, however, she eventually reverted back to normal vision.
First and foremost, Maya regained her sight through her own tireless efforts to combat her inner sorrow and guilt. Much of her own trauma was rooted in the same guilt and shame she had experienced due to the rape. Slowly, but surely, she regained her voice and through her words, was able to find solace in her own thoughts and feelings.
Maya’s experience has taught us that instead of seeking physical solutions for inner turmoil, the best way to approach such matters is to start from the inside. Her works have often served as encouragement for others to face their inner demons and to find the courage to confront them head-on. It is likely that her courageous words and deeds act as a testament of how adversity can be overcome when we find the courage to address our innermost issues.
Other Demonstrations of Sustaining Through Temporary Blindness
Even though Maya Angelou was not officially blind, her own experience with nystagmus taught her just how difficult it can be to make it through such an affliction. Her words and works are there to serve as a reminder of how accessibility barriers can be eliminated with a combination ofstrength, resilience, and the courage to face down innermost demons.
Many other public figures have gone through similar experiences of temporary blindness and emerged victorious. Terry Fox, for example, had to have his right leg amputated due to cancer. Despite the amputation, Terry was determined to do something extraordinary to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. As a result, he started the world-famous Terry Fox Run, a marathon that is still held today in his honor.
John Hockenberry is another example. He suffered from paralysis due to a car crash at the age of 19 and went on to become an acclaimed journalist, editor, and New York Times best-selling author. Michael Hingson, a victim of the 9/11 World Trade Centre attack, and internationally recognized expert in disability awareness has been blind since birth, but this did not stop him from going on to become one of the most important advocates for accessible design, accessible technology, and accessible business.
Maya Angelou’s Legacy and the Strength of Her Writing
After the passing of Maya Angelou in 2014, her legacy has lived on in her works and has been celebrated in books, stage performances, and documentaries. Her words, such as those found in her works“Phenomenal Woman” and “Still I Rise”, were a testament to her courage and strength. They were an inspiration for people of all ages, genders, races and cultures throughout the world. In addition, her works have also been credited with initiating a conversation on gender, class and disability, as well as serving to break down gender expectations and erase gender stereotypes.
Maya Angelou will always be remembered as one of the most inspirtational figures in history whose courage and fortitude allowed her to break down barriers, reject shame and inspire a generation of people. Her inspiring works of literature will continue to be read and quoted for many years to come.
How Prevention of Blindness is Possible Even During Early Age
Though Maya Angelou’s blindness was only a temporary affliction, it is important to acknowledge that there are many forms of blindess throughout the world, from congenital to acquired. It is thus important to note that prevention of blindness can be carried out in manyforms. Regular eye examinations and visits to an optometrist can help detect any issues early on. It is imperative that children of all ages receive regular eye examinations, and if any issue is found, rapid intervention should be given, as well as follow up care to ensure that the issue does not worsen.
Vaccines, such a the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, can also help prevent certain forms of blindness, as certain viruses, such as measles, are known to cause eye damage. Additionally, reducing exposure to ultraviolet rays, as well as avoiding accidents can help reduce the prevalence of blindness.
In short, blindness can be prevented and it is important to seek out the proper treatments and intervention methods. Prevention of blindness, first and foremost, would involve regular eye examinations, timely vaccinations, protective eyewear, and taking precautions to ensure that vision-related issues do not worsen.
Impact on Society in Terms of Taking Necessary Actions for Prevention of Blindness
With so many ways to help prevent blindness, it is becoming increasingly important for society to take steps to do so. Governments and organizations must prioritize vision-related issues, in order to properly allocate resources as well as to bring the issue to the attention of the public. Awareness campaigns can be undertaken to inform the public on the importance of regular eye examinations, timely vaccinations, protective eyewear, and other precautions.
Governments should also ensure that public health programs are adequately funded, especially in developing countries. This will ensure that preventive measures can be taken for scenarios such as extreme poverty, lack of access to healthcare, or inadequate nutrition. With proper financing, vision impairment can be reduced, and consequently, can help eliminate other disabilities.
In conclusion, Maya Angelou’s legacy is certainly a reminder of the power of resilience andpersistence. Despite visual impairment, she was able to overcome her trauma and inspire countless people around the world with her works. We, as a society, cannot afford to ignore the issue of vision problems, as prevention of blindness is the key to creating a more equitable and accessible world. Only with effective and sustained preventive measures can we build a world in which everyone is given the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
