NILES, Ohio (WKBN) — For those without sight, music is a form of vision, an alternative lens through which the world can be experienced in vivid detail.
Blessing Offor is an award-winning musician who has become a dedicated partner with the local non-profit Sight for All United, using his music to bring a new kind of vision to those in need.
He struggled with his sight at a young age and at 6 years old, he came to the US from Nigeria for treatment.
“Got the treatment, saved the vision — then I got shot in the eye with a water gun right around 12 and that wrecked the vision in the good eye — there wasn’t any vision in the bad eye,” Offor said.
It was around that time when he found music, the universal translator. Where his eyesight fell short his ears helped unlock a vision that is felt rather than seen.
“It was just a way to express, a way to communicate, a way to build discipline just like it would for anybody else, it’s something I could focus all my attention on,” said Offor.
Blessing Offor is a two-time Grammy Award nominee and GMA Dove Award winner. He’s even recorded an original song with Dolly Parton.
He’s also a champion for Sight For All United, the local nonprofit dedicated to providing eye care and restoring sight to those in need.
“Initially it was just a gig and then we became family. I mean deeply when I say it, I got a lot of help from a lot of people who didn’t have to and it makes a world of difference,” he said.
At the annual Eye Ball of the Mahoning Valley over the weekend, Offor played for a crowd at the Eastwood Event Centre, sharing his songs and the mission of Sight For All.
He’s lived in Nashville, New York and several other places but he also considers Youngstown home.
“You need people, you need people to embrace you and you need to embrace other people — and my entire life has been a story of being embraced and Youngstown has done nothing but embrace me and I’m grateful for it,” Offor said.
