This month, the Blinded Veterans Association is excited to introduce the BVA Book Club Interest Group, a new way for Association members to connect, share experiences, and explore literature. The inaugural selection is the powerful and inspiring biography, Caution, Blind Priest Driving: The Story of Father Thomas J. Carroll, Changing the Public’s Perception of Blindness, by Rachel Rosenbaum. The BVA Book Club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm Eastern Time via Zoom. Joining information can be found on the calendar at BVA.org.

Father Thomas J. Carroll, BVA’s first National Chaplain from 1946-71, was a trailblazing figure in the history of blind rehabilitation. His work left a lasting impact on both the blind and sighted communities. This biography covers not only the life and work of Father Carroll but also provides a deeper look into how he changed the perception of blindness in society, helping countless individuals adapt to and thrive with vision loss.

A longtime friend of BVA, author Rachel Rosenbaum was Father Carroll’s successor at the Carroll Center for the Blind from 1976-2009. She attended the BVA 69th National Convention in Reno, Nevada, in 2014 to gather information and interview blinded veterans who had personally met Father Carroll.

Father Carroll’s connection to blindness began early in his career, but it was during his time as director of the Catholic Guild for the Blind that he made his most significant strides. He dedicated his life to improving services for those who were blind or visually impaired, offering holistic approaches that integrated emotional, psychological, and social support. His work wasn’t just about teaching practical skills; it was about helping people rediscover their purpose and autonomy in life. 

One of Father Carroll’s most notable achievements was his dedicated service to blinded veterans and BVA. World War II saw hundreds of soldiers returning home with life-changing injuries, including vision loss. Father Carroll understood the unique needs of these veterans and worked to develop programs that addressed both their emotional and physical rehabilitation. His legacy in this area affects the work of both BVA and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) still today. His own landmark book, Blindness: What It Is, What It Does, and How to Live with It, has been a powerful influence on policies and programs in the broader field of blind rehabilitation far beyond VA.

Each year, BVA schedules a traditional Father Carroll Luncheon in his honor at our annual National Convention. This special event is an opportunity to reflect on his contributions and remember the progress made in changing the public’s perception of blindness. Father Carroll believed that blindness was not an end but a new beginning—one in which individuals could learn new ways of living fully and independently. 

The Book Club is delighted to offer Caution, Blind Priest Driving as the first read, and BVA members are invited to join the discussion. The book is available for download through BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download of the National Library Service), so be sure to grab your copy in advance of our first virtual meeting. The BARD number is DB 107915. 

Please mark your calendars and join us for this first Book Club meeting. Together, we can learn from Father Carroll’s extraordinary journey and continue to build a community that supports and uplifts one another.