Illustrated Elaine Cimino
I have a monthly email list where I share a short story of a blind ancestor with my subscribers. Many times there is far more to say about the individual. I have published more in-depth stories of some of our blind ancestors at:
Smashwords – The Blind History Lady Presents
Drop by my pages at Smashwords and download the whole story.
IT IS FINALLY HERE! WHAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!
Don Mahoney: Television Star: Chong, Peggy: 9781098082956: Amazon.com: Books
My first book in print! Get your copy today!
Read about Don Mahoney, a man who decided to keep his blindness a secret and did so for almost ten years.
Please get your copy and encourage others to purchase a copy today.
This book is a great story for school and public libraries to include in their persons with disabilities collection.
Get my book, read it and tell me what you think.
Peggy Chong
Don Mahoney: Television Star
by
Gloria Lesher‘s review
Aug 03, 2021
really liked it
The author’s research into the early days of television was eye-opening for me. I didn’t realize how poorly paid the TV stars of the 1940s and 1950s were. Don Mahoney was one of these hardy pioneers—and my respect for him goes even higher because he was blind. The author asks a number of challenging questions, such as, “Do we, disabled and non-disabled alike, change our view of a person when we label them?” and “Do we see the label first?” Perhaps our answers today are more enlightened than they were in Don Mahoney’s time, when he felt compelled to hide his disability from the world, for fear of losing his livelihood.
This is a touching biography. Don grew up a rowdy, fun-loving and goodhearted Texas boy who made his way to Hollywood, where he sang and did stunt work. When his eyesight continued to deteriorate, Don landed a job as a ranch hand, since good eyesight wasn’t crucial for that kind of work. Six feet tall, lanky,handsome, and with bright blue eyes, Don appealed to people—especially children and ladies. Later, he became a dance instructor and manager of a nightclub. In 1948, Don started his radio career with a kiddie show on a Houston station, where he sang and played the guitar. He also married a sighted Texas farm girl named Christine. The couple had four daughters over the years that followed, as Don went from radio to a television career. He was eventually outed by the media as a blind man, but carried on as usual, being his witty, somewhat outrageous self. He made many personal appearances, founded a portrait studio, produced albums, and started a restaurant chain. Blindnessnever stopped this guy! His life story is inspiring. Just as inspiring, the author herself is blind.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 22, 2023–Inclusion and Accessibility< Heather Gardens, Aurora,Colorado.
September 7, Senior Support Group, Phoenix, Arizona.
September 8, Inperspective podcast.
October 27-29, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Convention, Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows.
November3-5, National Federation of the Blind Convention, Wichita Kansas.
December 1 and 2 Blind Health Expo, Accessible Pharmacy, on-line.
On this website you will find
Peggy Chong is The Blind History Lady
Speaking Fees
Local or Conference Presentations
30-50 minutes$ 75.00
1 hour-90 minutes$100.00
Long Distance
Expenses plus speaking fees
Any specialized handout requests are an additional charge depending on therequest.
I look forward to sharing with you the history of our blind ancestors. Contact Peggy Chong at chongpeggy10@gmail.com or 303-745-0473
The Blind History Lady is pleased to present to your group via ZOOM, conference call and more. If you would like a presentation from The Blind History Lady, please send an email to theblindhistorylady@gmail.com
Recommendation
May, 2022, from Caitlin Snyder, VA
I wanted to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed reading your newsletter over the
past two years. I am so grateful that I tuned into a presentation you did
for the Virginia Center during the height of the pandemic. As a blind person
and as a teacher, it brings me hope and pride to know a little bit about
these interesting people. Thank you so very much for all of your hard work.
You are truly a gift and your efforts are not unnoticed.
February, 2022 from Alice George-Colorado
I loved your interview this week with Penn Street on the After Sight podcast. Your deep understanding and historical knowledge of blind people in the US is very enlightening. Only someone in the older generation or has studied the history of blind people will have the broad perspective and vast knowledge that you have. I’d enjoy discussing some of these perspectives with you some day.
As I watch some of the historical stories of black people on TV during Black History Month, I find myself comparing those stories to some of our blind ancestors. A common thread of poor treatment and lack of acceptance seem to run through all minority groups.
You do a wonderful job documenting the history of our blind ancestors. Thanks so very much for doing this. I really enjoy reading your stories and look forward to receiving them each month.
September 5, 2021
Dear Peggy,
Having heard the phrase, “Blind History Lady,” for some time, it was wonderful, Peggy, to have you come to life at our 2021 State Annual Iowa Council of the United Blind Conference and Convention.
On behalf of the Iowa Council of the United Blind, thank you for sharing your interest and ongoing pursuit of the biographies of person who are blind. Thomas Schall’s story was very interesting. Too often, we in the current generation forget that we are standing and building on the shoulders of so many who preceded us. We even lose track of the more recent chapters, such as Aaron Cannon’s long road pursuing attendance at Palmer Chiropractic starting in 2004 Thank you for reminding us to of success for all persons who are blind through a favorable Iowa Supreme Court decision in his case in 2014. Beyond sharing one story, you made us aware that we as blind persons have a great deal of history to explore and, hopefully, energized some of us to do just that. Thank you for your inspiration.
Sincerely,
Carrie Chapman, President
Iowa Council of the United Blind
Ruth Sager on September 12, 2019, (recently passed away-Rest in peace Ruth)
Ms. Peggy Chong “The Blind History Lady” spoke on the NFB Senior Division nationwide conference call in June. She explained how she got started in researching information about the lives of known blind people first, in her state and then, across the country. She spoke about some of the people she met through her research and found their stories most engrossing. Blind people who were challenged and did not except the idea that they couldn’t pursue work, having families, and remaining vibrant members in their communities. Through much hard work, an indominable spirit of “can-do,” they persevered taking advantage of every opportunity and creating some when none seemed apparently forthcoming.
These stories inspire us and cause us to reflect on how lucky we are today that we had blind brothers and sisters who were willing to take risks and for the most part, single-handedly create their own successes. Peggy does relate how, blind people kept in touch with one another and did whatever they could to help each other. This should remind us, we never do anything completely on our own—we are always indebted to those unknown people who went before us.
Peggy also spoke at our annual business meeting of the NFB Senior Division. She shared some of the challenges in researching people when very little was written about them. The schools for the blind wrote about the sighted personnel and teachers but neglected much information about their students. Reading through old copies of local newspapers and other archival documents she can sometimes glimpse a picture of someone’s life often through the eyes of relatives and children or grandchildren. She noted that we must continue to learn about these blind friends from the past for they truly are our history.
The audience was most attentive and I hope will be able to furnish Ms. Chong with some new leads or help her solve some mysteries about those blind people she has found so very little information about. We fully support this much-needed work she is endeavoring to put forth on the ordinary lives of blind men and women living ordinary lives under extraordinary circumstances.
Ruth Sager,
President, NFB Senior Division
The Blind History Lady 