D. J. Wessler

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Daniel James Wessler (born 1982 in Boston, Massachusetts) is an American sculptor who has been blind since birth.

Stricken with Retrolental fibroplasia (aka Retinopathy of prematurity) during infancy, Wessler lived with his mother outside of Los Angeles until 1998, when she was critically injured in a near-fatal automobile accident. Daniel subsequently moved in with his father in Philadelphia; though for years they were estranged, they eventually came to terms with each other.

In spite of his blindness, Wessler's sculpture has earned him numerous awards. On one occasion, his work was submitted to, and eventually placed first at, an art competition, even though the members of the jury had no prior knowledge of the artist's handicap.

In 2002, Wessler's work was selected for a special exhibit in Japan focusing on the artistic achievements of people with disabilities.

He is also openly gay, and a survivor of longtime sexual abuse at the hands of a family member.

Wessler was interviewed for an article in The Advocate examining the hardships faced by those who are both disabled and gay. He co-wrote Chasing Echoes Through the Dark^[1] with author Adam McDaniel,^[2] which explores the memories and traumas of his teenage years. The book is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2008.^[3]