White Coat, White Cane: The Extraordinary Odyssey of a Blind Physician By David Hartman
The woman's arthritic fingers feel gnarled and crooked,
her knees lumpy rocks. But I can detect no swelling, so I press here, there,
trying to rouse an inflamed spot. "What are you doing"she challenges.
"You're blind!" "I'm examining you.
Haven't you ever been examined by a blind doctor before?" She refuses to
be humored. "That's silly. What can a blind doctor do?" "I'm not
sure, but we're going to find out..."
When David Hartman, blind since the age of eight,
announced his intention to become a doctor, the reactions ranged from sympathy
to ridicule. How could he diagnose his patients? Examine them, except by touch?
Look through a microscope? Even understand what was being described? The battle
lines were drawn: David and his family on one side, the schools and society on
the other. But with an incredible strength of purpose, David Hartman went on to
become the first blind person in over 100 years to enter medical school. What
is it like to adjust to a world of darkness? David Hartman lets us know
bluntly, with real emotion, insight, and humor. He had to relearn the simplest
things. He had to overcome mental obstacles that were at times more formidable
than the physical ones. Yet he was determined to reach beyond his difficulties
to fulfill an impossible dream. His teachers were helpful, hostile,
embarrassed, unsure-and in medical school he had to work twice as hard. The
work had to be read to him or translated into Braille. Often he had to rely on
a sighted person to confirm his diagnosis, and he needed a nurse to read the
patients' charts to him. But he utilized all his other senses to
achieve his greatest desire: helping to heal. His journey is a moving and
inspirational story for us all...we can achieve any and all dreams if and when
we set our minds to.
