Jacob Bolotin

Jacob W. Bolotin (January 3, 1888 – April 1, 1924) was the world's first totally blind physician.

Jacob Bolotin
Bolotin at his desk, 1914
Born(1888-01-03)January 3, 1888
Chicago, Illinois, US
DiedApril 1, 1924(1924-04-01) (aged 36)
OccupationPhysician
Known forFirst totally blind physician

Born in 1888 to a poor immigrant family in Chicago, United States, Bolotin fought prejudice and misconceptions about the capabilities of blind people in order to win acceptance to medical school and then into the medical profession. He fought his way into and through the Chicago Medical School, graduated with honors at 24, and became the world's first totally blind physician fully licensed to practice medicine. He was particularly recognized for his expertise on diseases of the heart and lungs. Bolotin used his many public speaking engagements to advocate for the employment of the blind and their full integration into society. After he died at the young age of 36, his funeral was attended by 5,000 people.[1]

Legacy

In 2007, a biography of Botolin, The Blind Doctor: The Jacob Bolotin Story by author Rosalind Perlman was published.[2] In 2008, Perlman designated the National Federation of the Blind to present the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award given to innovating individuals working in the field of blindness.[3]

References
  1. Joanne Wilson. "Dr. Jacob Bolotin, the Blind Doctor". National Federation of the Blind. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
    - Deborah Kendrick (January 2008). "The Blind Doctor: The Jacob Bolotin Story (review)". Braille Monitor. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  2. "The Blind Doctor: The Jacob Bolotin Story". National Federation of the Blind. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  3. "Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards". National Federation of the Blind. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
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