VICTORY FROM THE SHADOWS

A memoir reflects on a lifetime full of grit and determination.

This expansive work by Gary Ted and Elaine Carson Montague opens as 8-year-old Gary arrived at the New Mexico School for the Blind with his mother in 1944. The pain and longing after they separated are visceral; the married authors circle back to this watershed moment several times, as it encapsulates the sacrifice and fortitude pervading the entire text. With the passage of time and benefit of hindsight, everyone involved came to a better understanding of the situation. The authors also solve the mystery of why Gary’s family never visited him at school until graduation. They strike a nice balance describing Gary’s rigorous schedule at school and intense labor on a farm during breaks. He thus moved between two worlds: new language codes and systems (Spanish, Braille) contrasted with the familiar rhythms of the animals and the terrain. This is a story of many peaks and valleys; for instance, after the VJ-Day celebrations, Gary’s family returned home to find the aftermath of a fire on the property. At such moments, the authors kick their reporting into high gear with evocative prose and arresting imagery. Gary recalls the “grumbling chi-cha of the coal-burning steam locomotive” on the night he left home. A vision of his mother’s crocheting (“Like my heart, held together by knots of hope and loss and dreams”) leads into associations linked to his father and twin sister. For added authenticity, the authors employ nonstandard spellings to represent Gary’s father’s distinctive speech (“You’re gittin’ smarter a’ready”) and incorporate family photographs and letters. They pick up the pace as they chronicle Gary’s moving through college and marriage. With a fierce work ethic and assistance from others, he attained a degree in secondary education. After some trouble finding suitable work, he began a 32-year career at Sandia National Laboratories. Despite the challenges Gary faced, the narrative tone is not always gloomy. The hazards of visual impairment are often presented with a wry sense of humor. After Gary entered the women’s restroom by mistake in a dark restaurant, he commented demurely: “I heard two women talking outside my stall, but it was too late to exit.” At the end of the text, the authors provide six discussion questions as well as historical information on the rights of the disabled in America.

A stirring testament to the resilience of a visually impaired individual.