From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Books
Blind author releases first book
By Felicity Ingraham-Darville
Apr 15, 2019 - 12:50:37 PM

0-3_1__1.jpg

New author Kevin Cartwright has released “Revelations of a Silent Heart”, his first in a series of books that he hopes would touch hearts and ignite love and passion in readers. He describes the book as “a brave compilation of various moods of poetry and prose that speak about life, love, risks and the courage to face head on whatever life throws at him”. Readers will see life and live through the eyes of a blind man.

There are 75 heartfelt poems laid out in the book, which is divided into three sections – Honey-sweet Passions of Love; Bitter-sweet Potions of Heartbreak; and Refreshing Cocktails of Love, Hope and Encouragement. Kevin bares his soul, allowing readers to meander through its corridors and into the hallowed chambers of his heart and mind. Once there, readers are invited to linger for just a moment before plunging into the depth of human emotions, such as love, joy, sadness, surprise and contempt, creating a provocative and stimulating read.

The public is invited to attend the official book release event on Friday, April 26 from 10am to 12 noon at the Disability Affairs Division, 8th Terrace, Centreville. There, Kevin plans to make special presentations and will also be available for book signings.

Kevin has not allowed his disability nor disappointments to define him. Instead, like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, he embraced all the good and not-so-good things that life has dealt him, and he has allowed them to become stepping stones to a fuller, richer existence.

“The writer has a unique writing style, which allowed him to transfer his thoughts into readable poems where one can gain comfort,” says Maria Augusta Deleveaux, former Principal of the Erin H Gilmore School for the Blind who wrote the foreword of the book.

“Throughout the book,” she says, “There are clear evidences of Kevin E Cartwright’s gifts as an English language scholar and teacher.”

“As the young and old alike search for love, they should read this volume of poems, which will be beneficial to their selective choice of a mate. I am pleased that this book of love poems gives life, enthusiasm and determination to those who read it, while telling the stories of each as you perceive it.”

Kevin has served as a teacher at Erin H Gilmore for nearly ten years now, where he teaches the Language Arts curriculum, Braille and Assistive Technologies.

Forty-two year-old Kevin was born with Glaucoma and although there were several successful surgeries performed on him at birth, he lost his eyesight completely at the age of eight. He said that at the time, technology had not advanced in medicine to the point where it is today, and children in his situation now have a better chance for sight preservation as there is “so much more that can be done”.

He is optimistic about the chances for his own son, 7 year-old Kylan. He was born with bi-lateral cataracts (meaning it affects both eyes) as well as strabismus (cross eye) and he underwent cataract removal surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Florida when he was nine months old. Kylan has to do routine follow-ups three times per year. He is visually impaired but he can see, due to the constant medical care his parents do their best to ensure he receives. He attends Erin H Gilmore where his father teaches.

The proceeds from the sale of Kevin’s book will be used to assist him with the costly tri-annual examinations his son must have. The family does receive some assistance from the Wonder Fund, a US-based charity; however, Kevin says the costs are still high including airfare and accommodations, and other medical funds not covered by the charity. This July 17-26, Kylan travel to Florida to undergo EUA – examination under anesthesia. Doctors want to examine his eye movements while asleep. He will be seen by a pediatric retina specialist and a vision development specialist for his follow ups. He will also be fitted for a new pair of glasses during the trip. Kevin says estimated costs for the trip and procedures are about $12,000.

Special thanks to the Cable Cares foundation, Bamboo Shack, Fidelity Bank, the President of West Virginia State University Dr. Anthony Jenkins, and Dr. Carlos Thomas, family and friends for helping Kevin’s book project become a reality. Lester T. Ferguson wrote the book’s afterword; Kevin refers to him as “a strong source of support to throughout the entire process”.

“He was one of my friends who believed in me and encouraged me to complete the project,” Kevin said.

“He often tells me that I have a great job to do in this world and there are
many lives waiting to be touched by my contributions.”

Kevin encourages those wishing to assist to Kylan’s medical fund for ongoing treatment to contact him. For more information or to purchase a book today, call Kevin at 448-3863 or email kevin.cartwright219@gmail.com.




© Copyright 2019 by thebahamasweekly.com -