S177A. My Heart Is Not Blind: On Blindness and Perception, Sponsored by Trinity University
Saturday, March 7, 2020
10:35 am to 11:50 am
Trinity University presents My Heart Is Not Blind: On Blindness and Perception. Vision loss and the broader idea of perception is something we struggle to understand. Its causes range from genetic predispositions to disease and external circumstances such as accidents or violence. Michael Nye has photographed visually impaired people who differ not only in their particular conditions and losses but also in their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds—also affording them the opportunity to tell their deeply moving and enlightening personal stories. Taken as a whole, their accounts are bound by a common theme of resilience and empowerment. Moderated by Michael Nye with a panel discussion including participants from the book. This event coincides with an exhibit of the photos and audio from the project on the AWP Bookfair floor.
Participants
Moderator:
Michael Nye has received National Endowment for the Arts and Kronkosky Charitable Foundation grants, and has exhibited and lectured widely at museums and universities internationally, including Morocco, India, and Mexico. His documentaries, photography, and audio exhibitions Children of Children (stories of teenage pregnancy) and Fine Line (stories about mental health, hunger, and resilience) have traveled to more than 150 cities across the country. His latest book is titled My Heart Is Not Blind: On Blindness and Perception.
Mario Aguirre went to the University of North Texas and obtained a master's degree in education. He obtained his counselor’s license at the University of Houston. Currently, he is a therapist at the San Antonio Rape Crisis Center, where he has worked for 22 years.
Larry Johnson was born in Chicago and is now a resident of San Antonio. A graduate of Northwestern University in the School of Speech, he received his master’s degree in economics and Latin American studies. He worked 22 years as a radio and television broadcaster in the US and Mexico and then worked 21 years as a human resource manager with Southwestern Bell. He is a motivational speaker, author of four books, and advocate and champion for persons with disabilities.
Natalie Watkins’ diverse professional background includes communications, education, and personal finance counseling. She’s taught in the public-school system; she's become a licensed stockbroker, an insurance representative, and a certified retirement planning counselor. After studying advanced counseling at the graduate level, Natalie has served as an advocate in the special needs community, a mentor to youth, and a companion to the elderly. Natalie writes poetry and prose and maintains a blog.
