Blind and deaf former Catholic priest Cyril Axelrod has launched his third book in Cape Town, encouraging disabled people to first appreciate the challenge of their conditions.
The 80-year-old was born deaf but became blind later in life.
Axelrod says he started reflecting about his life as a blind and deaf person after doctors told him he would gradually lose his sight.
Speaking through a translator, he says it was 20 years later that he was fully blind.
“I took my time to reflect what blindness will mean to me. It took me about 20 years to be fully blind, and I went to the specialist and I sat and thought about it, said to him I was born deaf, deafness for me was a gift from God, so I believe my future blindness will be another gift from God. He agreed with me and that helped to develop the courage to face my life.”
