Blind Paterson Feeling His Way as NY Governor

Much of Albany familiar, but layout of new digs takes getting used to
By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 21, 2008 11:18 AM CDT
Blind Paterson Feeling His Way as NY Governor
In a file photo New York Lt. Gov. David Paterson speaks during a news conference at the state Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, March 13, 2008.    (Associated Press)

It takes a lot of extra sweat for New York's legally blind governor to act like a person with 20/20, the New York Times reports. David Paterson spends hours each night listening to recorded staff briefings—and memorizing speeches, since he can't read a teleprompter. And though the veteran politician knows Albany well, he's still learning the layout of the governor's mansion.

“The secret is how to adjust,” said Paterson, legally blind since infancy. “I ask myself how am I going to fit into this world, and how am I going to do it without killing myself.” (More David Paterson stories.)

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