Many authors impress the reader with inspirational content but Nick Gleeson’s memoir is quite exceptional.

At the age of seven, Nick lost his sight due to a retinal detachment, after bumping into a supermarket door.

‘In desperation, I look up into Mum’s face. A small face – a loving face – and the lights go out. Her face is the last image I will ever see in my lifetime.’

These are the poignant sad words, but the book is amazingly upbeat in its tone and describes in a conversational manner that is very easy to read, his adventures – climbing Mount Everest, and Kilimanjaro, marathon running, carrying the Sydney Olympic torch, completing an expedition across the Simpson Desert, as well as marrying Heather and helping raise two children. Perhaps growing up in Broadmeadows in the 60’s really did help to make him tough and resilient.

Nick’s acceptance and energy are astounding; he quotes Beethoven, when the composer became profoundly deaf – ‘I shall take Fate firmly by the throat. It shall not wholly overcome me’ – and proves that blindness need not be an impediment to a good life.

The many ways of seeing is available at any good book store or online through Booktopia and The Book Depository.