Susan Barry was born into a flat world. From an early age, her eyes were crossed, and she saw in just two dimensions, even after corrective surgery helped straighten her eyes. She had problems learning to read, and her school principal called her a "dim bulb." But Barry persevered, becoming a professor of biological studies at Mount Holyoke College. For many years, she believed—and taught—the conventional wisdom that stereovision, or seeing in 3D, can only develop during a critical time in infancy.
As she got older, Barry's vision became "jittery." She consulted with a developmental optometrist and began a series of exercises designed to help stabilize her gaze. Along the way, and to her own surprise, Barry developed the ability to see in 3D. She was 48. The feat earned her the moniker "Stereo Sue," coined by neurologist Oliver Sacks.
Barry now knows that our brains are more "plastic" than she ever thought, which is good news for all of us. "If we’re stuck in a rut, it’s because we think we’re stuck in a rut," says Sue. "We can get better at everything." Below, she describes her profession in 30 seconds, then fields 10 questions. Learn more about Sue's life-changing experience on her Secret Life homepage.