It’s only our second shoot together but Olmedini’s appearance has already dramatically changed. The magician is poor and lives in city housing for the disabled. Money comes to him in crumpled single dollar bills. Nonetheless, today his hair is freshly cut and his hands manicured. His suit has been cleaned and pressed.

Soon, Olmedini will stop leaving home without his prosthetic eye.

Such is the power of knowing that you’re seen, that your talent and gifts are recognized. And of course, that goes double for an octogenarian performer who also happens to be blind.

We blossom when someone believes in us.