It is hard for me to imagine my life if I were blind. I’m confident I take my sight for granted. Do you? Spoiler alert: Photo below by Pete.
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In episode #14 of Finding Inspiration, I spoke to Mr. Pete Eckert. He’s a very impressive human with a marvelous sense of humor! Pete has faced physical challenges for many years. You wouldn’t know it by talking with him. First, pretty fast onset of blindness at age 27 from a rare genetic eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and now later in life Parkinson’s Disease. In his twenties, Pete was an aspiring architect and had been accepted to Yale University before he went blind. A blind architect sounded too strange to Pete, so he quickly changed course and adapted to his new reality. |
He got his black belt to be able to defend himself on the street as a blind person and an MBA to be able to support himself. Fast forward, Pete Eckert is now a highly acclaimed and award-winning photographer. Yes, a blind photographer. It’s not a typo. CNN reports Pete as a "Successful career as a self-taught photographer. His striking, ghostly images have been sought after by the likes of Playboy magazine, which commissioned a series of eerie nudes, and even Volkswagen.” In addition, Pete has done work for the TV Show NCIS and Swarovski. CLICK HERE FOR: CNN Article on Pete
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In episode #14, Pete shares his view about blind people: “This is the best time in history to be a blind person. Technology has moved ahead by leaps and bounds. And it’s possible to be employed and work at home with corona. The social stigma of being blind goes away now that we are all working from home. Leveling the playing field, so that blind people can better compete in the job market. One benefit of the corona pandemic. I'm happy to say that blind people are the most viable than they've ever been.” Have you heard the difference in sound as you climb a stair? Or can you hear the street signs outside? No to both for me. |
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Pete talks about how he uses his photographs as a feedback loop and shares his secret recipe to taking photos as a blind man. Click here to check out Pete's amazing work.
Think about it — a blind photographer. Listen to this short episode and learn what is scary about being blind in a sighted world. You will feel inspired and admire Pete just as I do.
It’s worth a few minutes of your time today. Click below to listen to the podcast: