![211af916-fa47-4003-a7e8-5ac46dfd5840](https://yankoivanov.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/211af916-fa47-4003-a7e8-5ac46dfd5840.jpg)
Size: 120×160 cm
Price: private collection
Year: 2019
Info: Oil on wood art painting
Blind in childhood
Although the young Ray Charles born Ray Charles Robinson began to lose his sight at the age of 7 he become completely blind when his right eye was removed due to intense pain. Most medical experts agree glaucoma was the culprit, although growing up in CharlesĀ“ time and place, not to mention economic background, no one will ever be able to say for sure. Still, Ray CharlesĀ“ blindness never stopped him from learning to ride a bike, play chess, use stairs, or even fly an airplane. Charles merely used his other senses; he judged distances by sound and learned to sharpen his memory. He refused to use a guide dog or a cane, although he did require some help from his personal assistant on tour.