THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS N Moving Story of Forty Years of Blindness By DANIEL L. TICKTON I consider my life to be divid- ed into two periods: the first, a normal, business - like atmo- sphere with the enthusiasm and satisfaction of one's capabilities and achievements; the second, a sudden plunge into darkness and uncertainty, requiring an adjustment, a quest for new values and ideals and philoso- phies, and a steadfast determin- ation to meet the problems of daily existence. The dividing line occurred on March 23, 1923, only one week before Passover. That morning I was still the hard- working accountant. Driving home in my car that afternoon, however, things abruptly took on a new appearance and even- tually a new meaning as well. That afternoon my left eye went blind. At the time I thought it was merely a strange feeling in my eyes with no great significance. But the following morning Dr. Gleason informed me that I had completely lost sight in one eye. His opinion was corroborated by Dr. Parker, an eminent oph- thalmologist then. Fear, trepida- tion took hold of me that first moment. This was Friday. For me it was the end of an era, the end of the optimism, that had char- acterized my outlook on life until that day. My wife's first reaction to the news was electrifying, but she said affectionately—and how I recollect her words—"The Pass- over feast is all prepared. Let's celebrate." And we did. * * * My family was average. The children were young, the oldest 12 years old. My wife was the one who made the holiday fes- tive and merry. She was my only source of encouragement and was forever at my side with QUALITY CANDIDS PORTRAITS MOVIES COLOR eric Bennett Black 8. White and. 8440 W. 6 MILE UN 2-5506 ■ •1111 ■ -• Personal Service. -Experience. Finest in Musical Entertainment IRV FIELD ORCHESTRA 538-5395 when you plan your wedding or bar mitzvah party thank your lucky stars for living in a coun- try where you can call the pho- tographer of your choice at—LI 2-7874. HOWARD H. TRIEST . MOTION PICTURES For Young Men 6 to 60 PRINCETON SHOP SEVEN MILE at EVERGREEN KE 3-4310 Elegant Bar Mitzvah Suits With The ROYAL Fit words of tenderness and solici- tation. She passed away in 1947, and how I miss her to this day! Encouraged by my wife, I didn't permit the handicap to conquer me. I entered the gen- eral insurance business in July, 1923, and it took weeks of tribu- lation to land my first small account. It was a bitter struggle. Even with limited sight in one eye, I had difficulty getting around. The real climax, however, came in August, 1934. I was out with my driver collecting insur- ance premiums. It was late af- ternoon, the sky covered with dark clouds. The car, my driver inside, was parked around the corner. As I approached the car I felt a click in my good eye. Everything turned black. It had happened! There had been no warning this time, either. The blackness of the world around me matched the darkness of my bitterness and regret. * * * I was not totally unprepared for this. During the years of my limited sight I realized I would have to improve • my memory should total blindness occur. Daily I studied prayers by heart, including services for Sabbath and the High Holidays. Lack of sight did not preclude friends, and neither did it per- mit me to slow my services to my customers. - The years had the tendency of eliminating the original fears and hostilities. Now, I strongly object to the Talmudic expres- sion that "A blind person is con- sidered like a dead person." That is the sentiment that too, experienced before becom- ing completely blind. But I have found out other things since then. A blind per- son is not mentally dull nor a fool. Hope does not vanish from his life. True, many new prob- lems arise. There is the omni- present problem of bumping into things, knocking my fore- head on open cabinets, colliding with lamps, walking into open closet doors. People, though often gener- ous with their help, often begin treating me like a child. They think I am utterly helpless and cannot manage without their constant and unyielding solicita- tion. They often ask me ques- tions, about blindness and the kind of life I lead, that are sin- cere and serious. There is one thing about blindness, however, that I would very much like to stress: life is not over; it can even be funny and fun-filled. I have many interests and hobbies. There are the "talking record books," records furnish- ed by the Library of Congress and the Library for the Blind, Wayne County. Also, I have dis- covered an increased ability to memorize. To know people by their voices, memorize the names of my accounts, prayers, phone numbers—my ability for this has sharply increased. * * * But there are still drawbacks which must realistically be faced. There are things that You Get All 3 in Mountain Valley Water 1. Delicious taste!= Not carbonated, not laxative, virtually salt free—you'll agree that Mountain Valley. Water is the perfect water to drink. 2. Safe—and pure. No chlorine or other chemical is added. Mountain Volley Water may be taken whenever any liquid may be consumed. 3. Beneficial for health. Ask your doctor how 6 to 8 glosses daily for 8 or more weeks helps to promote the best pos- sible health. Home Delivery— PHONE LO 7-0178 Ask for Free Booklet WRITE 3343 Gratiot Detroit 7, Michigan r ountain Valley Water from HOT SPRINGS ARKANSAS , irritate me considerably. Chief among these are people who cunningly approach me, and, after having not spoken to me for ages, suddenly ask me to identify them. They don't tell me who they are, but insist on playing a guessing game. It's these same people who gener- ally give rise to another prob- lem: nodding or shaking their heads in reply to a question. For Pete's sake, what kind of an answer is a nod to me? I wish people would use their mouths when saying yes or no. Life can be lived even through the wall of blindness. I have four radios in different rooms in my house and can normally recognize stations by the voices of various commentators. I do my own touch typewriting, dial a phone by myself, have written several stories and articles which were published in The Jewish News and other publica- tions, and have never missed an election by going to the poll or by absentee ballot. I have to do a -bit of guess work when it comes to foods. I judge most things by taste. My palate and .tongue are invaluable guides. My nose failed me only once. I brushed my teeth with what seemed to be tooth paste, but which turned out to be oint- ment. After that I could not smell anything and became alarmed. Dr. Mosen, whom I phoned at 11 p.m., assured me that ointment has the tendency of blotting out smells for a while. Many people ask how I enjoy eating. I try to satisfy others and especially the hostess. If my food is all served on one plate, it is arranged clockwise, and each food is assigned a cer- tain "number" on the plate. If my hostess tells me that the meat is on 12 o'clock, the pota- toes on 6 o'clock, and so forth, eating can be a lot of fun. I admit that I am a bother to others. But, taking various fac- tors into consideration, I think I've made a successful adjust- ment. I had educated and mar- ried off three children, attended their sons' bar mitzvahs, their daughters' confirmations, and even my granddaughter's wed- ding, most of which were out- side Detroit. I never missed the Passover sedorim .with my chil- dren either at Great Neck, N.Y., or Washington, D.C. Now that I am past 81, what's ahead for me? I believe in crossing that bridge when I come to it. I don't think or plan for years or even months, but day by day. In spite of all, I'm a happy-go-lucky person. I have life, a job, ability to get along with myself and others. I man- age my daily affairs without difficulty, and I live with a feeling of pride for my-children and myself. Fear and uncertainty plagued me particular when blindness first occurred. But that fear has been replaced by a lifetime of eagerness, with the solidarity of experience and personal philosophy. If there is one thing that has constantly reinforced my desire to succeed, to prove a worthy father, accountant, and citizen, if there is one thing that has pulled me out of depression and out of my quandary, it is faith in the Lord. All my life I have tried to walk upon roads of righteousness. I think my success is due to the fact that the roads were paved with the Lord's good graces and bless- ings-. . Bnai Brith Suburban Lodge Will Present Romney on Brotherhood The Detroit Suburban Lodge of Bnai Brith is sponsoring an evening with Governor Romney 8:15 p.m. April 17 at Cong. Shaarey Zedek. Gov . Romney will be speaking in honor of brotherhood. This is a non-sec- tarian affair and the public is invited to attend. . Utica to Publish Contributors' Names. Trinitsky-Cherrih Troth An110117e.ed UTICA, N. Y., (JTA)—A de- cision that the Jewish Commun- ity Council here and its fund- raising arm, the local United Jewish Appeal, publish a full community report, detailing all income and allocations and list- ing also all local contributors as well as amounts contributed by each, was endorsed publicly here by the top leadership of the Council and local UJA. PLASTIC SLIPCOVERS . Custom-Made 8 Gauge — Glass Clear PROTECT-O-COVER MISS HELENE WINITSKY Mr. and Mrs. Israel B. Win- itsky of Malmo, Sweden, an- nounce the engagement of their daughter, Helene, to Marvin W. Cherrin, son of Mrs. Mollie Cherrin of Roslyn Rd. and the late Sam Cherrin. A summer wedding is planned. ' i r) • • (4••••0411000•••••••••••9 ,—) Li • C orsets by Ova. • • •• EXPERTLY FITTED • • • • • • • DI 1-1000 18055 JAMES COUZENS a and ENTERTAINMENT BY HAL GORDON UN 3-5730 UN 3-8982 15850 W. 7 MILE RD. • • BR 3-2509 or VE 7-9783 0 Open Thurs. to 9 p.m. Free Parking in Rear • 00•••••••••••••••••••• • 9 • -40 COMPLETE SHOE SERVICE WO 2-7989 NEW YORK CUSTOM SHOE SHOP 133 E. Grand River I BLOCK FROM OLD LOCATION CORNER BROADWAY WM. E. HINTZ, Prop. Take -elevator elevator to 2nd floor,. We make shoes, arches, cork extensions, lasts from plaster casts and molded shoes. 45 years experience. Doctor's orders filled. Skating Shoes and Riding Boots, Golf Shoes and Medical Shoes. DON'T SUFFER with your feet and feel fatigue. Let us make your shoes. Any style duplicated. Domestic and Imported Leather Used. SAM .KOPPELMAN SAYS. YOUR FRONT WHEELS TOOK AN AWFUL BEATING LAST WINTER . . . LET US ALIGN AND BALANCE YOUR FRONT END AND SAVE YOUR TIRES . . . ! THERE IS ONLY - ONE 1-MILE MENDOTA SHELL SERVICE DON'T FUSS—DON'T CUSS—CALL US UN 2-9558 FREE PICKUP & DELIVERY Airimmommi ... give you the same benefits as vigorous exercise while you relax in solid comfort. Stimulates circulation and gives you sparkling new beauty. Tensions fade away and pains are soothed. Treat yourself to a Sauna hot air bath and, at the same time, join in the fun at The Whitcomb! • World-Famous Sulphur Baths • Free Movies Nightly • Nationally Famous. • Free Floor Show on Weekends' • Dancing-2 Orchestras .• Free Sun Tan Solarium Food, FREE OVERNIGHT PARKING 4 ALL THIS and MORE a day, per person "in peacf:ubie Plan 3 hours from DETROIT via Golden Belt Expwy. (Route 94) For Reservations or Information write, or call, Hotel, Sf. Joseph, Michigan , YU 3 -2501 SULPHUR SPRINGS HOTEL (On the Lake)111PETEINIMMIll