Blindness Awareness

Yesterday the kids had the opportunity to hear our friend Kevin teach about his job.  He teaches youth and men and women up to 21 years of age who are blind or visually impaired.  Some are born blind.  Some became blind later in life, and some have no eyes at all.  He gave an amazing presentation to our students.  He taught them Braille and allowed the children to write their own name using a Braille typewriter.  He had visual impairment goggles to help the children see how his students see or don’t see.  He taught them games that blind boys and girls play, and then he allowed our children to play ball using a special ball that relies on sound and not sight.  The kids ate Jello and banana slices while blindfolded.  They folded letters using a simple machine, tried out magnifying equipment and sound equipment, matched objects, made a textured map of their room, read books written in Braille, put a meal tray together, took a stroll through the library using the harness of a seeing eye dog, and other challenging activities, all while blindfolded.  Many of the kids cheated and took off the blindfold, the activities proving too challenging for their patience level.  I watched my friend’s daughter, blindfolded, trying to stab the banana slice with her fork.  The slice was clear on the other side of her plate, and my heart ached watching this.  I can’t imagine the challenges these boys and girls who are blind must face each and every day.  These simple tasks for me I definitely take for granted.  Looking at my world a little differently today.