Innovation to the rescue of differently abled Brazil fan

A 31-year-old massage therapist who is deaf and blind followed Brazil’s round-of-16 match against Mexico in a unique way.

Carlos Junior (centre), who is both deaf and blind, experiences the World Cup match between Brazil and Mexico with the help of an interpreter in Sao Paulo.

Like fans all over soccer-mad Brazil, Carlos Junior followed every move the national team made on the field in its 2-0 victory over Mexico .

But Junior did not watch or listen the way much of Brazil did. Instead, the 31-year-old massage therapist who is deaf and blind experienced Monday’s game with the help of interpreters who used tactile signing, touch communication and a model soccer field to recount the passes, goals and fouls of the national team.

Junior’s technique for following the World Cup moved many people after a friend posted a video of Junior following a group game. The video caught the attention of national and international media and has been shared and seen by millions online.