Challenges of circulating

At the best of times it is awfully difficult for anyone to circulate and mingle at a function, especially so when it is a function where you do not really know anyone else. For me, as a blind person, it is very difficult and sometimes I find myself in very funny or entertaining situations.

Whenever I go to any function, I do my best to find out if I am going to meet anyone there that I know and if this is the case then I do my best to contact them before hand and ask if we could hang out together. This makes my life a bit less difficult because then I don't have to feel nervous trying to make acquaintances with persons I do not know and especially so when I am not sure of my physical environment.

If I do not know anyone who will be going then here is where my challenge resides. I have to ensure that I can talk to someone before hand who will help me to find my way around the physical facilities and this is sometimes very easy but every now and then I am unable to find help and so I have to go to the function in question and hope for the best.

Now, if I go to the function, do not know anyone, and have not been able to find some assistance beforehand, I have to devise my own strategy to get by. I would usually ask for such assistance at the desk of the reception and if this does not work then I have to be brave and walk gingerly into the reception and hope for the best. It is extremely difficult for me as a blind person to find my way around in a crowded and unfamiliar room, locate the food tables, navigate what is on these tables, and find the waiters. Just another challenge for me to overcome, all in a day's work.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my blogs with others. Visit me anytime at www.sterlingcreations.ca.