March 12, 2008

When New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's resignation becomes official on Monday, current Lieutenant Governor David Paterson will take over.

Not only will he become the first African American Governor of New York...he'll also setting another first. He is blind.

Daniel Meador is a longtime UVA faculty member and professor of law, and also blind.

"The idea of a blind governor will be encouragement to a lot of people, many of whom have low aspirations, and might be discouraged about what they might accomplish, " he says.

Meador believes Patterson's biggest challenge will be the heavy amount of paperwork and reading.

But, just as he has overcome the hurdles of no eyesight, he believes Paterson will too.

Another interesting note about Paterson is that at age 31, Paterson set another record. He was the youngest state senator ever in New York state.

He's also finished the New York City marathon.