After 33 years as president of the Carroll Center for the Blind, Newton resident and author Rachel Ethier Rosenbaum spent eight years writing an engaging biography of her charismatic and talented predecessor, Father Thomas J. Carroll. He was a founder of the Catholic Guild for All the Blind, which was renamed as the Carroll Center in his honor after his untimely death in 1971. Rachel recently published her 497-page book as Caution, Blind Priest Driving: The Story of Father Thomas J. Carroll. Father Carroll was a pioneer in the treatment and rehabilitation of newly blinded adults, and through his leadership, writings, and talks, he changed the public’s perception of blindness. And yes, he introduced fencing to the Center, and it’s now a required course for all students. Rachel has also told part of her own story in an earlier book, The Unmaking of a Nun.
Caution: Blind Priest Driving
by Bruce Henderson | May 13, 2022 | Newton Authors | 1 comment
The Carroll Center for the Blind is an invaluable resource for goodness in Newton. The students have shown that a quality of life is attainable through working as earnestly as their sighted cohorts. They are a testament to destroying the centuries-old myth inherent within the societal ‘norms’ of our nation: persons with disabilities don’t possess possibilities.
KUDOS to The Carroll Center for the Blind’s educators who go above and beyond their duties to ensure the future is better for their students who will be our great nation’s leaders! As a Catholic and active advocate (41 years!) for persons with disabilities, I am eager to dive into Rachel’s book. Best of everything always!