love story

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

I Can Hear You!!

As a part of my Special Education class, we are required to experience in a small way what people with disabilities experience everyday. One of those disabilities is to have visual impairment for 4 hours. This means wearing masks that limit sight and in one case, eliminate it all together. Their are 4 masks, one for each hour of the simulation. I can't even imagine what it must be like for those who are blind, to be that way all the time. I'm so grateful for the blessing of good sight.
The first feeling I felt was self-consciousness. Everyone is staring at you and whispering. Although I was wearing a mask which must look kind of silly, I could hear people asking their friends, "whats wrong with her?" or "is she crazy?". People saying things like, just stay away from her. I wanted to tell them that I was just a normal person and nothing was wrong with me but I couldn't explain the simulation.
It was amazing how much my other senses were strengthened and heightened when I couldn't see. I could hear what was going on around me so well. This allowed me to hear the whispers of , she's a moron, or I wonder whats wrong with her...or it must suck to be her...she must want to die. I wanted to tell them that while I couldn't see them, I could hear every word perfectly. It made me wonder how those with real sight disabilities feel. Do they have to listen to the whispers too? This caused me to feel incredible frustration at those around me. Why do they whisper and point and laugh? Do they think the person who can't see doesn't know. I promise...they know.
I was surprised at how few people offered to help me walk around or help me if I looked like I was struggling. Most people walked quickly by or walked as far away as possible from me.
The most powerful emotions I felt were humility, empathy, and some sympathy. I never thought about how hard it would be to lose your sight and I never paid attention to the actions of others around these people. I don't know if people just don't know what to do around someone who can't see so they just don't do anything...that's better than the alternative at least. If nothing else, I am more grateful than ever for the blessing of sight. I will never take that blessing for granted again. Nor will I pass by the opportunity to help someone in need.

1 comment:

  1. Nicole! This is so amazing. I love that you can see it through such mature eyes!

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