I had a very eye-opening, eventful weekend this past weekend. It has made me really appreciate and be thankful for everything that is provided to me: My limbs, my working body, my eyesight, and all the rest of my intact senses.
I was fortunate enough to be a part of a blind person's daily experiences this past weekend, and I learned so much. Learning from a first hand account of someone who can't see, made me think about a lot how much we take our senses for granted. Walking in the mall with her and her guide-dog, was so interesting. I watched her "be in tune" with her dog leading the way, watched the way the dog maneuvered swiftly around people. I watched her giving instructions to the dog to "Follow" Dong and I or to go "Down" when she sat down waiting for us to finish our shopping. I asked her so many questions.. the nosy speech therapy person in me really wanted to be educated.
She told me about her experiences when at guide-dog school where she had to learn how to manage the dog and form a connection with them. She talked about how during the last day of the program, she and the dog walked around New York city together. She said that she always has to depend on people and hold their arms when walking but with a guide-dog she can do it all on her own, depending less on people. She said that in school, she memorizes the route that she is supposed to take to walk from class to class, or from class to home. And after a few times of walking the route, her dog remembers it too. When she gets lost, she waits for someone to pass to ask the way she should go. When I asked her how she finds an empty seat in class she said that she goes there early enough so that there are plenty of empty seats, if not she just asks. But now, her dog has actually learned to lead her to an empty seat when they walk into class. She talked about how she can feel people staring at her a times and she can hear comments people make about her and her dog. She says she's got used to it, and sometimes it's hurtful but people just don't understand. She talked about her professor and how he told her she didn't have to do the group research project because "it will be difficult for her" and then later when she insisted to try first, he said to her group members "take care of her, she has special disability" - that really infuriated her. And I understand why. 'Normal' people tend to underestimate those who are different, or who has a disability. We think we're doing them a favor by giving them special treatment, but really all they want is to be treated like everyone else. They are just as capable as anyone else, as long as they have the right support.
She also talked about how some Asian restaurants are really not receptive to guide-dogs in restaurants, but American restaurants are better. That later then led to the discussion of how in Asia, the public views people with disability differently and don't know how to deal with them. In America, it is the government's responsibility to provide for people with disabilities, to give them any assistance they need. But in Asia, you are segregated if you have a disability, and you have limited opportunity of living a regular life.
When we were shopping together, I described the color and pattern of the clothing that she thought felt comfortable. I picked out the size of jeans that she wanted. I helped swipe her credit card, and she taught me how to hold her hand loosely while she signed on the line of the credit card machine. I learned from Dong and started being more aware of our surroundings, where there were steps, or obstacles in the way. I learned so much from her that day. I learned that people who are blind do SMS, and they just want to be seen as regular people. Even though they can't see, doesn't mean they can't have ambition, or should be treated any differently.
Thank you Soo for educating me. :) I admire you, your life, and all that you strive to be.
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