Watch Going Blind

Going Blind is a 2010 documentary film directed by Joseph Lovett. The film tackles blindness head-on, following the lives of six individuals who are experiencing or have experienced vision loss. Through their experiences, the film also uncovers the broader implications of blindness, such as public planning and policy and the advances being made in medical research.

One of the featured individuals is Steve Baskis, a veteran who lost his sight while serving in Iraq. He has since become an advocate for the rights of blind people and has climbed some of the tallest mountains in the world in addition to skydiving and kayaking. The film follows him as he prepares for the grueling climb up Mount Kilimanjaro with his team of fellow blind hikers. We also see him working with a guide dog and trying out new technology that helps him navigate the world around him.

Another individual is Jessica Jones, a young mother who lost her sight after a bout with diabetes. Her story focuses on the challenges that come with parenting while visually impaired. The film shows how she relies on assistive technology to identify her daughter's clothing, as well as the emotional toll that her blindness has taken on her and her family.

Peter D'Elia is another featured individual in the film. He was born with retinopathy of prematurity and, as a result, has had reduced vision his entire life. He was the first blind person to compete in the New York City Marathon and has also spent years advocating for the rights of disabled individuals. Through his story, the film highlights the importance of accessibility in public spaces and transportation.

Other individuals featured in the film include Susan, a woman who didn't realize she was gradually losing her sight until she went to renew her driver's license; Ojok, a blind Ugandan man who works to provide for his family despite the barriers he faces; and Ed, an inventor who designs tools for the blind.

The film also features interviews with experts in the field of blindness and disability, including researchers working on stem cell treatments for vision loss and public officials advocating for the rights of disabled individuals.

Through these stories and interviews, Going Blind paints a complex, nuanced picture of what it means to live with blindness - and, just as importantly, what it means to live in a world that's not always accommodating to those with disabilities. The film acknowledges both the triumphs and the frustrations of living with vision loss, shedding light on a subject that's often overlooked.