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James Holman FRS (October 15, 1786 – July 29, 1857), known as the "Blind Traveler," was a British adventurer, author and social observer, best known for his writings on his extensive travels. Not only completely blind but suffering from debilitating pain and limited mobility, he undertook a series of solo journeys that were unprecedented both in their extent of geography and method of "human echolocation". In 1866, the journalist William Jerdan wrote that "From Marco Polo to Mungo Park, no three of the most famous travellers, grouped together, would exceed the extent and variety of countries traversed by our blind countryman."

The Royal London Society for the Blind:
It was founded by Thomas Lucas, in 1838, using a system of embossed type invented by Lucas.
Funds for the school were raised largely through the efforts of the Ladies' Committee under the secretaryship of Mrs Lydia Johnson. Her husband, Percival Norton Johnson, founder of what is now Johnson Matthey plc, also took a prominent role in the affairs of the Society for many years.

Real Life Batman: Daniel Kish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpxEmD0gu0Q&feature=related

POD
James Holman was a remarkable man but unfortunately already forgotten in his lifetime. But what if he got the recognition he deserved? Not dieing before he finished his last books would certainly help. But the best possible outcome would have probably been to be invited to the The Royal London Society for the Blind to motivate the children there and maybe even teaching them his way of seeing.
Those things combined might launch some other adventure careers, especially if one of the children improves Holmans technique to Daniel Kish level of expertise.
It wont probably change history in any major way, aside for butterfly, but what cultural impact would it have?

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