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 Charles´ time and place, not to mention economic background, no one will ever be able to say for sure. Still, Ray Charles´ 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.