'The Blind Truth': Growing up Blind in Glen Cove

Photos courtesy of Glen Cove City School District

A Glen Cove resident recently visited Glen Cove High School to give students a perspective on how it was like to grow up blind in the 1950s.

Vinny St. Marten lost his eyesight at the age of 7. “I’ve dealt with a lot of issues, including bullying and racism, but the gift of blindness and a passion for music saved my life,” St. Marten said.

St. Marten shared details of his life with members of the school’s Hero Club and DECA. He told them of his mother’s difficulty in accepting his disability and how music changed his life.

St. Marten, along with his longtime friend Elysa Sunshine, shared his story, “The Blind Truth,” with the students.

Members of the TV studio taped the production, which incorporated dialogue, recorded music and live singing by St. Marten.

“The Blind Truth” also included live music and singing by Sunshine and a slideshow made by junior Aaron Hall.

Photos:

1. Glen Cove students are pictured with Vinny St. Marten (fourth left) and Elysa Sunshine (fourth, right).

2. Junior Aaron Hall complied a slideshow of St. Marten’s photographs for the production.

3. Student Raymond Salazar operated one of the cameras during the taping.

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