Paul Bach-y-Rita

Who is Paul Bach-y-Rita you ask? Well, he is noted as one of the first Neuroscientists to explore neuroplasticity in depth. I decided to write about him because he proves as a good example of how science seems actually scared of change more often than we'd like to believe. Think back to Galileo, a pioneer of the Scientific Revolution who was scoffed at for believing that the earth was not, in fact, the center of the universe. Though he had carefully and precisely constructed instruments that could support his claim it took a lot of time, ridicule and opposition before he was able to convince the scientific world what he found to be true. People simply don't like change, even if it can be for the better.

So, back to Dr. Bach-y-Rita. Waaaaaay back in the year 1969 - over 30 years ago - Dr. Bach-y-Rita constructed a machine, which was attached to a camera (picture those big honking studio cameras with a seat for the operator) and this machine allowed blind people to experience sight. People who had never been able to see were suddenly able to see through his substituting tactile sensory input for the missing or malfunctioned ocular system. The tactile system was able to communicate what the ocular system could not. This work Bach-y-Rita did with the blind in the seeing machine led him to the conclusion that the brain was not, in fact, static as was the belief at the time, but the brain was plastic and could change even in adulthood. I am astounded at the fact that this was done in 1969 and am astounded at the fact that I have not heard of this until now. To me, this is the kind of research we should be building off of. So why isn't it in our high school science text books along with Gregor Mandel or Benjamin Franklin?

In 1969 Bach-y-Rita's belief that the brain was plastic, even in adulthood, was seen much the same as Galileo's theory of Heliocentricity back in the early 17th century. It was scoffed at, ridiculed and then just plain ignored. It was not until YEARS later that this theory was accepted. Luckily Bach-y-Rita kept pursuing his scientific study and has helped many people with neurological disorders (such as balance disorders and persons suffering from stroke) recover, sometimes back to 100%. He has been able to do so by building off of his research done with the blind in the seeing machine.

I read about Bach-y-Rita with great interest because I feel a similar opposition from the scientific community trying to prove myself as an Art Therapist and convince people that it is not only beneficial, but needed. I do not even have (at the moment) empirical evidence to stake my claim. (Blerg!) It is, however, incredibly inspirational to hear his story and to know that opposition can sometimes mean you are actually on the right track. He kept pursuing his passion, even when it seemed the world was against him.

Dr. Bach-y-Rita - you are my hero.