Why blind historian tells the stories of the blind

Peggy Chong describes what motivates her

BY TEDDY JACOBSEN TJACOBSEN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It only takes an introduction and a few minutes of talking with historian Peggy Chong to learn something new.

Chong, also known as e Blind History Lady, can easily rattle o countless names and stories of blind people throughout history. For instance, you may know Stevie Wonder but you probably don’t know Gov. Elias Ammons. Chong has researched the stories of the blind for over three decades. She excitedly shares their biographies with anyone willing to listen, primarily through a monthly email list.

“People often nd the stories hard to believe, that there’s something special about these blind people,” Chong said. “If you read on, you do nd that there was something special about them because they just never quit.”

Chong, who lives in Aurora, was born blind into a family that understood her struggles. ree of her four sisters and her mother were also born blind. Chong said the support and connection she received from her family is rare for the majority of