“Our Mission Is to Live Our Lives”: A Deafblind Professor on the Meaning and Value of Life

In this scene from the film, young Satoshi (Tanaka Taketo) and his mother Reiko (Koyuki) celebrate his admission to university despite losing his hearing as well as his eyesight. (© Therone/Karavan Pictures)

Professor Fukushima walks down the corridor of the University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology. He is able to use the toilet unassisted. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Fukushima’s finger braille interpreter Haruno Momoko taps his fingertips to allow him to understand what is being said. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Fukushima demonstrates the use of the BrailleSense mobile device used to input braille and collate information. The black pad at the front of the device allows him both to read and write using braille. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Fukushima demonstrates the use of his BrailleSense device by reading out the news from an online newspaper. Sitting to his left is finger braille interpreter Maeda Atsumi. (© Hanai Tomoko)

One scene in the film depicts the moment when Satoshi’s mother, Reiko, is inspired to invent finger braille as a way of communicating with her son. (© Therone/Karavan Pictures)