Voice is a powerful part of the human experience. Voice can be more than sound, it can become the sum of our shared experiences and is how we express ourselves. It reverberates throughout time, space and culture.
“Unseen” is more than a book, it’s a journey where the author finds her voice through challenges and adversity.
“Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice,” is a book written by Molly Burke. First published on Oct. 14, the book is a memoir of Burke’s experience with vision loss.
The memoir starts with Burke’s childhood and discusses the discovery of her condition.
Burke was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age four, a condition where the retina gradually degrades. By the time she was 14, she had lost most of her vision and was declared legally blind.
Burke goes to chronicle her journey dealing with bullying and the difficulties of living with a disability.
“But it was time to surrender, to let go while embracing and discovering my new, inescapable reality,” Burke said. “But healing is never linear, and my journey would have a lot of unexpected twists and turns.”
One of Burke’s strong suits is her authenticity and unflinching honesty within her story telling. This sentiment is one example of Burke’s content being relatable and resonant to many.
From speaking at large conventions, to winning a beauty pageant, Burke narrates how she always lives her life the best way she can.
Fashion is very important to Burke and it’s fun to see her express herself through it. Throughout her book, Burke often mentions how much her outfits and style mean to her, and how they make her feel more grounded.
She also spoke about the discrimination that she’s faced, and the challenges of being turned away from certain places. It was especially heart-wrenching to learn that a lot of the treatment was because of her service dog and people’s lack of understanding or willingness to accommodate her.
“I’ve learned over the years of growing my career that no amount of public status or high-powered friends, and not even that Cartier Love bracelet, removes injustice or discrimination. It doesn’t make the world more accessible or accommodating; it doesn’t remove all of the barriers and hardships that disability can cause on a daily basis,” Burke said.
Burke went on to mention the importance of community and building a welcoming space for many different people. Her message is important because voices like hers are still too rare. Seeing someone with a disability use their platform to inspire and connect with others is refreshing and inspiring.
Burke is honest about different kinds of struggles in her life. She mentions the difficulties of running a YouTube channel and working around her disability, but despite obstacles, she finds fulfillment in the work she does.
The book was two years in the making, partly because Burke was dedicated to making it truly accessible. Working closely with Abrams Publishing, she helped design the book with accessible design elements as a priority.
Some of these features include the addition of braille on the cover and large print. The book is also available fully in Braille, large print and audio-book formats.
Overall this memoir is a must read. From Burke’s unbridled honesty to her genuine voice, “Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice” is a great view into the life of someone who is unapologetic in their right to belong.
Burke is currently working on her next project, a children’s book from the perspective of her guide dog. No expected release date has been given as of now. “Unseen: How I Lost My Vision and Found My Voice” can be found at major online and physical book stores.
