We hear the story of Mary Gillespie, a woman born with normal hearing and vision, but who developed several illnesses starting at age ten. Gradually, she became deaf-blind. Now living in Los Angeles, Mary is a regular volunteer at the Braille Institute, where we recorded this remarkable episode of Humankind.

Stewart Brand, founder and publisher of “The Whole Earth” catalogue, sets forth the vision behind his “school for compassionate skills” designed to teach the fine art of “uncommon courtesy” and being a “do-gooder.”