AGAINST ALL ODDS

“It has always been my favourite theory that the blind can accomplish nearly everything that may be done by those who can see…Why should the blind be regarded as objects of pity? Darkness may indeed throw a shadow over the outer vision; but there is no cloud, however dark, that can keep the sunlight of hope from the trustful soul” Those were the positive and inspiring words that often came out of the mouth of Frances (Fanny) Crosby, the blind but highly prolific songwriter. And to prove the trueness of such claims, she actually wrote more songs and hymns than any sighted songwriter you can imagine. She wrote more than 8000 songs, which makes her “history’s most prolific hymn-writer” (Guinness Book of World’s Records, 1977). So productive was she that she had to use as many as 100 pseudonyms so that publishers would not have trouble publishing her vast collection of songs in their hymnals. For many people who suffer from blindness or other disabilities, it’s like the end of the world. They see themselves as wretched creatures and spend their entire lives moping, pitying themselves, blaming God and taking out their frustration on others around them. But not Fanny. Though her case was even more pathetic – considering the peculiar circumstances that led to her blindness – she never saw herself as unfortunate or inferior in life. Unable to see the things around her, she chose to concentrate on the things within her: her mind, memory, potential and aspirations. She resolved to make her life more meaningful and productive than that of the “fortunate” multitudes around her. And she succeeded, against all odds. She did what most people could not do, reached where many could not reach, and met with many prominent personalities whom many thought elusive and inaccessible. Today, her numerous songs – including Blessed Assurance, To God be the Glory, Close to Thee, Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Saviour, Rescue the Perishing, Praise Him, Praise Him, Safe In The Arms of Jesus – rank among the best and most popular hymns in churches all over the world. You may wonder how a blind woman was able to achieve so much while so many sighted people wasted away in the abyss of idleness, mediocrity and frivolities. What did she possess that many lacked? How did she stand so tall where others stooped so low? These and many more questions will be answered as we carefully explore and examine the wonderful life of the disabled woman who became “the world’s most prolific songbird.”