Memoir cover shot of Judge David S. Tatel (Ret.) with his guide dog Vixen
Voices of Experience

The Judge is Blind, Justice is Not

Jul 17, 2024

The Judge is Blind, Justice is Not

Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice by David S. Tatel

David Tatel achieved great success as a civil rights attorney and a circuit court judge, while also dealing with the significant challenges of progressing vision loss. I was first introduced to Judge Tatel by Frank Bruni, in a NY Times column titled, “Am I Going Blind?,” and again in his memoir, The Beauty of Dusk.  I got to know David even better thanks to Ricky Enger’s wonderful conversations with him on Hadley Presents podcasts. But through David’s recently published biography, Vision, A Memoir of Blindness and Justice, I have gained a greater perspective and appreciation for his extraordinary life.

The diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, at age fifteen, would neither stunt his intellectual growth nor diminish his personal expectations. He did not allow the impending blindness to define him. He expresses some regret about covering up his vision loss, until he began using a white cane in 1980. In this context, David can be assured, the cover-up is no crime, it is a normal part of the process. A far more compelling part of this story is how David’s family and colleagues step up, with quiet and loving support, naturally lending their voices to fill the visual voids he encounters. 

Vision loss is, in some respects, a subtext throughout Tatel’s story. His life’s work is focused on advancing civil rights and ensuring equal justice for all. He opens, to us, a captivating narrative of his historic role in the judicial system. He conveys the steady demeanor we hope to find in every judge, that of patience, humility, integrity and courage. You may not think you have much in common with David Tatel, but you will be surprised to discover that you do.

In this Washington Post video clip: Tatel talks about the discussions he and wife, Edie, had in the writing process and the  revelations that were part of learning to deal with and accept his blindness.           

Thanks to Michelle Ritholz for recommending the audiobook and sharing her review on AudioFile Magazine. She says, “In his introduction, which Tatel narrates, listeners can sense the spectrum of emotions he describes.” Read the full review here.

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About the Author: Dorrie Rush

Dorrie Rush is the Chief Content Officer and Visual Accessibility Expert at Ophthalmic Edge Patients (OE Patients), an online resource, presented by the Association for Macular Diseases, providing practical information and empowering advice for living a full and successful life with vision loss.

She is the former Director of the Grunwald Technology Center and Information Resource Service at Lighthouse International 2001 to 2016. Dorrie is known to have an eccentric view, which is particularly useful in compensating for her central vision loss from Stargardt Disease.

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