I'd Rather Be Blind

by Grant Lock

Grant Lock directed Afghanistan's largest eye care program, until he himself became blind. He returns home to a society with its own blind spots: myopic attitudes to Islam, mental health and what makes us human. After battling corruption, injustice and disadvantage in the deserts, mountains and cities of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Lock confronts challenges - both intimate and global - with courage and compassion.

267 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

A successful Australian stud beef cattle breeder and agricultural businessman, Grant has always been interested in current affairs, international politics, human rights and the plight of the poor and disenfranchised. For twenty four years he and his gutsy wife, Janna, moved into voluntary development work in the Islamic Republics of Pakistan and Afghanistan. In Kabul Grant was the Deputy Executive Director of a longstanding NGO involved in training Afghans in a diversity of areas including eye-care, primary mental health, micro hydro electricity, business training and empowering widows. Richly rewarding, it was not without frustration and danger. Grant has a passion to share insights into that pivotal part of the world.

Reviews

[Leezan Suli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! What a story teller. He had me laughing so hard with tears and mourning with tears but always hope in there too. I love the poems and the Afghan proverbs. Enjoyable and thought provoking .

[Gabrielle Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad that you were speaking out for not just the communities you’ve served internationally, but to the blind community to in a sense.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A follow-up to Shoot Me First , which I haven't read. More a collection of anecdotes than a coherent book, it reads somewhat like the left-overs of an earlier book. I enjoyed it. The stories are short and simple, but thought-provoking, and I enjoyed some of the poetry. I appreciated the openness and thoughtfulness shown here. Sometimes the ingenuousness felt overdone, and at other times I enjoyed the drawn-out jokes.