The Blind Among us

Last night a though just flash my mind, i closed my eyes and imagine those who are blind.
People who can not see the day break, the beautiful sky, those who can not see their spouses or someone who mocks them. I closed my eyes again and inside, i felt frustrated. I felt a certain kind of sadness for those who can not see.

Life is a gift, life is fragile so when you wake up in the morning, whole and healthy thank the Almighty. Its not by your power because in a split second anyone's life can turn around.

Many blind individuals around us where not born blind, but an unforeseeable incident occurred that changed their lives. So it could be anyone.
 
Lets never look down or disregard anyone because misfortune could befall anyone. Its like a thief in the night.

I implore everyone to show love, care and concern for those with disabilities in our mist.Give them a sense of belonging.

Hear are some Bible quotes that support being kind to the Blind.

Leviticus 19:14: 'You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall revere your God; I am the LORD'.









And Deuteronomy 27:18: 'Cursed is he who misleads a blind person on the road.' And all the people shall say, 'Amen.'

Even Jesus Christ had sympathy for the blind, John 9:2-7;

And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud.

 When you meet a blind person lets understand their difficulties, recognise their abilities and learn how to cooperate and communicate with them in a social as well as hospital environment.

Here are some tips from the Community Eye Journal on how to treat the Blind.
Always ask first before offering any help and do not be offended if it is refused. Some people have had very bad experiences of what a sighted person thinks is being helpful!
  
Be precise if giving instructions – giving directions by pointing and saying, ‘it is down there on the right’, is not much help and very thoughtless.

The use of a white cane does not necessarily mean that a person is totally blind. In some countries a person is accompanied by a guide dog but the animal must never be distracted. Often it is the animal who receives attention and the owner ignored! Together they usually make a good working team and rarely need extra help

Once into a conversation, never leave without saying you are doing so. Do not allow the blind person the embarrassment of talking into the air!

Approach and Attitude
Always treat a blind person normally; speak first and introduce yourself.

Shake hands but only if a hand is offered.

It is also politeness to look at him/her during conversation and adopt the same level of position, e.g., sit or stand.

Do not be afraid of using normal language and include words like ‘look’, ‘see’, ‘read’, remembering that blind and visually impaired people have exactly the same vocabulary as sighted people
  
Explain noises and silences and do not shout.
  
Do not expect or invite others to speak for blind people. Do not be afraid to ‘touch’ but be sensitive to cultural differences.

Always consider a person's age and any other disabilities.
  
Never presume where the person wants to go. Ask for details of where and how he/she would like to be guided. It is not uncommon to see a person being propelled or steered, and at great speed! Go at their pace and, if there is space, walk side by side and always ‘hand to arm’