Reflecting On The End Of Sight

In this episode of Fresh Air, Terry Gross interviews Andrew Leland, the author of "The Country of the Blind," about his experience with slowly losing his vision due to retinitis pigmentosa. Leland describes his current vision, the challenges he faces, and his internal conflict between preserving his remaining sight and embracing blindness. He discusses the impact of his condition on his identity, marriage, and ability to write, as well as his experiences within the blind community and the use of assistive technologies. The conversation explores philosophical questions about the hierarchy of senses and the role of vision in perception, and the practical and emotional adjustments he and his wife have made.