Happy New Year! From the ANSWER project, we welcome 2025 by sharing with you this incredible story of personal overcoming:

Last Saturday, January 4th, we commemorated the birth of Louis Braille, born in 1809 in the French town of Coupvray, a small village about 40 kilometers east of Paris.

His journey of overcoming obstacles began at just 3 years old, when he injured his right eye in his father's workshop. The infection from that wound spread to his left eye, causing irreversible blindness.

Concerned about his education, the priest Abbé Palluy learned about a school for people with visual disabilities in Paris, where they were educated and taught a trade.

In 1821, a French army officer visited the school to present a tactile reading and writing system used by the military to transmit orders without revealing their position to the enemy. It was then that young Braille began seeking ways to improve this system of dots so that blind individuals could read. 

He became an exemplary student thanks to his effort and determination. His strong will to overcome challenges led him to create a tactile code to help all students with visual disabilities read and communicate normally.

This story shows us that everyone can overcome adversity and receive a quality education.

Stay tuned for more stories of personal overcoming and new updates!

Source: National Geographic History