The struggle to see

"Every time they say to me I cannot dance. My doctors have not yet closed their mouths."

At the age of nineteen, Alicia Alonso endured her third surgery for detached retinas, for the first time in both of her eyes simultaneously. The young ballerina was at the top of her career, and the recovery was long: for one year and a half, she lied in bed, forbidden to move her head. "It was torture to me being still, feeling my muscles lose their power. I danced my fingers, and after a while, I could do any step with my hands." (Beatrice Siegel Collection, Brooklyn College Archives)

"I couldn't see him, but I could hear his voice"

The problems persisted, and Alonso had several other surgeries, including one for cataracts. For ten years, the ballerina was virtually blind, only being able to see very strong lights. That did not stop her from dancing. Instead, it meant that Alicia had to memorize not only her steps, but also the stage. She mapped the stage in her brain, guided by the lights. "I still have the habit of studying everything. When I danced in Carmen, I would run and throw myself into my partner's arms. I couldn't see him, but I could hear his voice, 'Here, Here' " (Kriegsman, Alan. May 28, 1978, The Washington Post)

The images below help tell the story of a passionate and dedicated ballerina that never stopped dancing - not even when she could not see anymore.