What do the Blind see (condensed)

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Jaime Fradera
Senior Member

since 2000-11-25

Posts 843
Where no tyranny is tolerable

0 posted 2007-09-16 03:18 PM

Or, to say it in a nutshell,
why don't we all just put out our eyes,
so that we can see the lovely things
that not even the fully sighted see?
and, while when're at it,
let's all punch out our eardrums
so we can hear the angelic music of the spheres?
Any volutterds?

Southern Cross

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

1 posted 2007-09-16 03:24 PM

It's good to know that you SEE and hear beauty even in darkness.
Indeed, sometimes while closing our eyes there is a whole new perception of creation.
Intense write, Jaime.
Love,
Margherita

Honeybunch
Member Rara Avis

since 2001-12-29

Posts 7115
South Africa

2 posted 2007-09-16 03:32 PM

Jaime - yes, this is an intense write but somehow the "sense" of things is always so very meaningful and true. You have the sense of things!

DennisTheMenace
Member

since 2005-09-04

Posts 240

3 posted 2007-09-16 04:34 PM

Hmmm, since my girlfriend is blind, I’m not so sure how to take this. It really doesn’t address the subject or describe the why you think we should put out or eyes. I can tell you she sees in a way unlike the sighted see. When she touches it’s not like the touch of the sighted. What were you going for in this poem?

Midnitesun

Member Empyrean

since 2001-05-18

Posts 28647
Gaia

4 posted 2007-09-16 04:40 PM

~sigh~
Forgive them Jaime, for they do not understand. You know I am not a Bible person, but this seems to ring the same bell as that old oft quoted
"Forgive them Lord...for they know not"
...yada yada yada...
Good intentions abound, but a rare few truly comprehend. Mis-perception rules and is perpetuated by myth, handed down each generation and sadly, even embellished.
I remember the BBQ in Littleton, the real-life anecdote about accommodations at the Renaissance Fair, and the blind wanting driver's licenses. And I remember countless hours of discussion about mis-perceptions and attitudes.
Rest assured, you taught me much, and I value each moment of learning.
You are no different than me, you just 'see' differently. You have the same hopes and dreams. Your other senses are NOT super developed. I know you've eaten things that were spoiled because your sense of smell is NOT acute. I don't know where the myth began, or where it shall end, that blind/deaf somehow have all their other senses more finely tuned than sighted/hearing humans. I have found the same misconceptions with regard to people who are elderly....watching someone yell at them and treat them as if they were mentally incompetent, or a newborn.
~sigh~I hope someday people will know what I know about all people with 'other abilities,'
and learn that we are all far more alike that different, and that losing one sense does NOT heighten all the others.
You have been so patient all these years, far beyond anything reasonable. But in all honesty, the greater majority of people are raised to believe the myths, and most never have the wonderful opportunity I had to meet you, and to interact with the many dynamic people from the Colorado School of the Blind. (Say hi to Dave and Mrs Dave whenever you chat with him)
Love and hugs, your Midnitesun
(Dennis, read the other poem with this title.)

Jaime Fradera
Senior Member

since 2000-11-25

Posts 843
Where no tyranny is tolerable

5 posted 2007-09-16 04:49 PM

The point is that we all have the ability to perceive and imagine wondrous things, but that blind people who buy into the abnormality stereotype claim that, because they are blind, or nearly so, claim, as popular culture has taught them, that they (and they alone) can "see," by orders of magnitude, strange loveliness that not even the sighted "see." (See previous article in the series.)
since this is a common stereotype among sighted people, I expect that few here will ever get it.
But giving a try anyway.

Jaime Fradera
Senior Member

since 2000-11-25

Posts 843
Where no tyranny is tolerable

6 posted 2007-09-16 06:24 PM

Dennis: The touch of your blind girlfriend is not special because she is or isn't blind, or because she stands five eleven, or because she is a red head and her eyes are blue. The touch of your girlfriend is special because the empathic soul connection that you two share is special. Compared with your empathic soul connection with her, everything else is merely trivial and would mostly be of interest to an eye doctor.
Dennis: Don't sell your self short, or your soul friend short. You and she are smarter, tougher and more resourceful and resilient than the nastiest s**t this harsh and unforgiving world will ever SLAM at you. And that has nothing to do with your ability to see.
What good are a saw, boards, , mortar, drywall, and associated construction materials unless one knows exactly how to use them and what they are for?
Dennis, when I was a teenager I could hear. But what did I do with this wonderful faculty.
Since you presumably are not deaf, just think of the wonderful things you could do with yours.

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

7 posted 2007-09-16 07:59 PM

Jaime, I enjoy reading your in-sight-ful thoughts.

Loving hug,

Linda

[This message has been edited by Earth Angel (09-18-2007 10:38 AM).]

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