I Am Blind, but I Can Walk

Believe it or not, many people seem to think that blind persons are unable to walk. This leaves me speechless! This is especially so when it comes to travel time at the airport. At first these incidents used to make me very frustrated, but now I giggle to myself and every now and then will take the time to explain that, despite not being able to see, I can walk.

So many times whenever I go to the airport the attendants will ask me "Do you need a wheelchair?" When I say no, I can tell they are at a loss as to why I do not need one. I wonder if they think that because I am unable to see, then somehow my legs are also unable to move? What is really going through their minds at this point?

I guess that the only way to beat this is for me to do a wee bit of educating here. We may not be able to see, but the rest of our bodies are just fine. The legs are not connected to the eyes and the inability to see has nothing to do with our ability to walk. Blind persons are fully capable of walking and they use a cane to find their way around. Many can be seen using guide dogs to navigate their paths.

Blind people can walk to the supermarket, to the bank, to the pharmacy, and can even enjoy hikes and walks. Yes, they can certainly walk. So, the next time you meet a blind person, just remember that they may not be able to see where they're walking, but they can walk just fine. If you would like to learn more about how blind persons function in a sighted world and the types of devices that can help them to do so, then please visit http://www.independentlivingaids.org.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your accessibility and special-needs business consultant wishing you a terrific day and encouraging you to go out there and tell the rest of the world that, yes!, blind persons can walk and do a lot more for themselves!