Seeing What No One Else Does

Innovation requires those who see things that others do not.



It requires looking through new lenses and envisioning possibilities when all others have doubts. 



I am reminded of this every day.



People who drive through my hometown, Morristown NJ, first pass by statues of three men who met here and who were innovators of their day — George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette. 





Then, 50 yards away, they encounter a bizarrely life-like statue. 



That's Morris Frank, the founder of The Seeing Eye , and his first dog, Buddy. The Seeing Eye is based in Morristown and celebrates its 85th Anniversary today.



All the dogs train here. Most every shopkeeper is used to several dogs walking in their stores many times a day — first with sighted trainers, then with their new blind owners. NJ Transit commuters are used to boarding trains with dogs learning their commands. 



It's now commonplace for guide dogs to go everywhere we do. Planes, trains, schools, high-end restaurants and malls. Their access is guaranteed by law.



But imagine January 1929. Imagine trying to convince politicians, restaurant owners, bus drivers, elevator operators, librarians and more to let these "pets" in with all the people. Imagine launching this service in the same year as the Great Depression when "normal" sighted people were hurting in unprecedented numbers. 



Morris Frank and his partners had a vision. They saw a world that no one else could see. A future where the blind had as much freedom and independence as everyone else.



We now live in a time where the lives of the deaf and blind and amputees and those with other disabilities are greatly aided by amazing technologies. 



But long before those or any of today's amazing technological innovations were created, somebody had to have a vision. 



Somebody needs to see what others do not.

Will that be you?