I've always been curious about everything.
That natural drive got me to try many things in life in an effort to understand the world around me. Besides, I never liked to tar everyone with the same brush and tried to learn as much as I could about other views and perspectives. Knowing that we all are unique, I always tried to understand at least a little bit about how others may feel, experiencing the same things.
So there was a time when I decided to have myself blindfolded for a full day to get an idea of what it may feel like when you lose your eyes – the main source of information for our brain.
I thought it through, prepared and also asked for help to come halfway through the day.
I got up and right away I put a blindfold on. To ensure I had no room for cheating, I had to place cotton pads underneath so I wouldn't see anything at all. (As the day went by, I started catching changes in lighting, so my experience wasn't 100 per cent accurate, but it gave me an idea.)
The first hour was pure cursing, as I would hit every single corner in my not-so-big apartment. After some time, my brain figured that since I didn't have the eyes to rely on anymore, I had to use other senses and resources. My hearing became a big help. So did the memory, as I could locate a battery that fell on the floor and had been laying behind the left leg of the table for the last two weeks. Of course, it was helpful only because my eyes helped create those memories before. But apparently, I realized that I had a way better knowledge of the world within the apartment than I thought I did.
The next stage included the trip outside. My best friend came over to ensure that I didn't get lost or hit by a car. So hand-in-hand we took the elevator – a very different experience when you don't see – and went outside. It took me hours to calm the adrenaline down even though I knew for certain that my friend was by my side to ensure my safety.
After a walk, we agreed I was ready to take the next step. So we hopped on the bus and then took a train to go out of town, so I could have the experience of being "blind" in the area, where my memory couldn't help much. And that was surreal.
In my neighbourhood, I knew what things looked like and I learned to distinguish how many people were walking by through the sound of their steps. So I had somewhat of a picture of what was happening around me.
But in the countryside, I was completely blind. So the world consisted of only those things that the friend would describe. It was empty with a house of no colour and no façade unless she would give some details. There was a cloud, looking like an elephant, she'd say. But I'm guessing that my vision of an elephant would seriously differ from what she'd see.
I think that experience taught me a lot about the lives many people are living. And I totally understand that it was one-hundredth of their real experience. But it also made me pay more attention to things that would make a difference if you are visually impaired.
When I had just arrived at Estevan back in 2013, even with 20/20 vision, I didn't feel secure walking or biking in most places in the community. There were no sidewalks in some areas, and they would suddenly come to an end in others, pushing me to go on the road to continue my way. Some, if not most traffic lights, wouldn't have signals informing as to when pedestrians can cross and when they have to wait. I don't think any of them had a second countdown to when the crossing time would be over.
In many areas curbing wouldn't be much help for the visually impaired either. And there were hardly any other means of navigation through town for those who can't see.
So, to see all the changes that are happening in this community to make it accessible and welcoming for all of our unique members is really exciting. Traffic lights were taught to talk. The mall is changing its approach to storefronts so it would be safe to walk alongside it.
Pathways were big in general, but the fact that they are now made to serve everyone's needs talks about the values this city has. And it makes me happy to be a part of this community.
Besides, the CNIB is creating more opportunities for visually impaired locals to be able to access everything they need and want to have a full life. That's another great sign of Estevan becoming more inclusive. And that's something that I've always cheered for.
Way to go, Estevan! Keep the good work going!
