FINDING YOUR WAY
Recently in my job as a Social Worker, on my way to a visit
with a client in their home, I encountered one of the most
frustrating things which a visually impaired or blind person
can experience. Prior to this visit, I made the usual
preparations, remembering the three keys I was taught in
blindness mobility training:
1) Destination--know exactly where you are going,
2) Orientation--know where you are at all times by having a reference point (NSEW),
3) Current location--ask yourself or others what is behind and in front of you.
In this particular situation I lost my focus momentarily
which can happen to anyone but it is especially catastrophic
for the blind as it is much easier to lose your orientation. I
have been trained to ask a bus driver at least twice during a
trip how close we are to the desired stop. This is as a
courtesy to the driver who has traffic and other passengers
needs to attend to as well. It also helps to assure that I will
arrive safely at my destination. This time I did not do that.
At a certain time during this bus ride on that particular day, I
sensed that the time this trip was taking was a bit longer than
it should in fact take. I went up to the bus driver only to
discover that we were 10 blocks past my stop. I fought the
urge to blame the driver, took a deep breath, asked the
current location and confirmed that I would be able to catch a
bus on the other side of the street which would return me to
my desired location. After crossing the street to the other
side, I used the position of the sun on my body to regain my
orientation and reassure myself that I was doing the right
thing. I knew that I was facing west by feeling the heat from
the position of the sun on my body, which meant the bus I
would be catching would be heading south. This allowed me
to visualize my position and I felt much calmer and stronger.
For those who have never experienced this type of
disorientation, imagine for a moment being in a dark
basement to change a lightbulb and groping in the dark with
no light to orient you except maybe a small window far from
where you are standing. We all know the boogey man game
we played as kids to scare a sibling in such a situation. This
feeling never quite leaves you as an adult and it has been part
of my fear that I must periodically and regularly overcome as
a blind adult who began rapidly losing his vision about 6 years
ago.
Once I was on the bus heading south, it would have been
easy to return to the safety of my office and try again another
day having lost confidence and resolve. Instead I took
responsibility to close the door to fear and asked the driver to
let me know when my stop was close. I knew in my heart that
I could do this and shouldn't give up. I opened the door to
courage!
After the short ride and being assured by the driver that I was
at the correct location, I immediately asked an elderly man
near the bus stop if I was heading in the right direction to
make certain I was appropriately oriented. He politely assured
me that everything was as I sensed it should be and I moved
forward slowly allowing myself to ease toward my destination
and letting the circumstances come to me. I established
control over my environment to reduce my fear and to avoid
any panic. Crossing the street when the traffic is properly
lined up is an important part of this process. You allow about
30 seconds for the traffic to stop moving until you cross and
then you proceed slowly but not with hesitation continuing to
listen intently for any sign of unusual movement by a vehicle
or human. The closer I came to my destination I walked more
erect with more confidence because with each step I
reinforced for myself that I was accomplishing something that
I could have avoided if I had given in to fear and given up.
FAITH MEANS facing responsibility and making the most of
the circumstances you are given. NEVER GIVE UP. NEVER
GIVE IN TO FEAR. Believe in yourself because GOD has given
you the POWER to do so. USE IT.
