My Unsung Hero Dan Roche's Story
Mar 17, 2026
Dan Roach, a personal storyteller and author who was born with a severe cataract, recounts pivotal moments from childhood to adulthood. He describes a coach’s small, kind adjustment at baseball practice that changed how he experienced being seen. Later chapters touch on learning to make eye contact and his book about crafting prosthetic eyes.
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Coach Switched a Batter And Changed a Life
- Dan Roach's coach noticed he was closing his right eye during batting practice and asked him to try hitting from the left side.
- Dan surprised teammates by hitting multiple pitches and for the first time saw the ball hit the bat, changing his sense of being seen.
Small Nonjudgmental Actions Create Lasting Visibility
- The coach's small, nonjudgmental adjustment made Dan feel genuinely seen rather than teased or pitied by peers.
- That single act stuck with Dan across decades and still shapes how he approaches eye contact and being visible.
From Childhood Injury To A Book About Prosthetic Eyes
- Dan later had his right eye removed and fitted with a prosthetic and wrote a book about the experience and making artificial eyes.
- The book is titled Eyes by Hand, Prosthetics of Art and Healing, tying his personal story to the craft.
