Images: Communication and Connection: Fukushima Satoshi, the World’s First Deafblind Professor

©Throne/Karavan Pictures

Katō Koyuki (stage name Koyuki) plays Fukushima’s mother, while Tanaka Taketo plays Fukushima as an adolescent. (© Throne/Karavan Pictures)

Satoshi lost sight in his right eye at the age of three. (© Throne/Karavan Pictures)

Fukushima Masami (played by Yoshizawa Hisashi) comforts his wife Reiko when she discovers that Satoshi has lost his sight. (© Throne/Karavan Pictures)

Reiko rides alongside Satoshi, her bicycle tied to his wrist, as he exercises to try to treat his condition. (© Throne/Karavan Pictures)

Fukushima Satoshi in his laboratory at the University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology. To the right is finger braille interpreter Maeda Atsumi. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Reiko communicates with Satoshi after suddenly hitting upon the idea of finger braille. (© Throne/Karavan Pictures)

One of Satoshi’s great joys while he could still hear was listening to the piano being played by his classmate Masuda Manami (Yoshida Mikako). (© Throne/Karavan Pictures)

What went through Satoshi’s mind that spring day when he learned he had been accepted to university? (© Throne/Karavan Pictures)

Fukushima demonstrates the use of the BrailleSense mobile device used to input braille and collate information. At left is finger braille interpreter Haruno Momoko. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Professor Fukushima walking in the corridor of the University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology. He uses the toilet unassisted. (© Hanai Tomoko)