Taking Hold: My Journey Into Blindness

by Sally Hobart Alexander

The author recounts how she gradually lost her sight from retinal hemorrhages, and describes her experiences in a training program for blind adults

128 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1994

Reviews

[Kathleen Hagen]

Taking Hold: My Journey Into Blindness, by Sally Hobart Alexander, Narrated by Suzanne Toren, Produced by recorded Books, Downloaded from audible.com.

Sally Hobart, now a famous author, at the age of 24 was teaching school, engaged to be married, and living life in southern California. Then, she began a series of events where her sight kept deteriorating. Finally, she faced the fact that she was going to be blind. She went to a Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Pittsburgh where she learned new skills and faced the frustrations of becoming blind after a lifetime of sight, and how she prepared to move on with her life. I am blind, and I’m not generally in favor of such books. They’re either inspirational or tragic. This book was neither. It was an honest look at the process of going blind by an intelligent woman who faced it and moved on.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the author did an awesome job at describing her journey including the various people around her and how more than just her sight was effected. Her handsome boyfriend's faults were more obvious when his looks were taken away. Friendships changed as the focus was on their conversations. Sense of loss expands beyond just sight including loss of independence and job opportunities, struggling to relearn simple tasks that were done before. The end did feel a bit abrupt, but it is her journey INTO blindness and not, living with blindness so I guess it makes sense where it ended. I just felt there were things I felt were unanswered. But to her at that stage, they were also unanswered for her. I probably would have felt better with a short epilogue.

[Gerardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very realistic indeed! Yes I’m blind from birth of course, but the book made me understand better still the process people go through when losing sight. I loved the approach the rehab center took, exactly if I were to be the director of one, how I?d like it to be by integrating not only the rehab aspects of sight loss, but especially the psychological aspects of. I didn’t like the ending; it was to abrupt; I’m left wondering what happened afterwards. I sure wish a sequel would be available!abrumpt psychlo

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I met the author of this book in 5th grade - at that age I had couldn't grasp the entirety of her situation & wasn't able to bring myself to read the book...a couple years later, I read "Taking Hold" and was gripped by her story of a dramatic & deeply disturbing change, and the remarkable resources she discovered with which to cope. It truly fascinated and inspired me - while helping me to find the courage to deal with any of the unexpected.

[Tera · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super quick read. Read it in one sitting. It was an interesting read as she documents what happened, how she felt and what it was like going blind at 25yrs old.