May 19 - North to Alaska

Lyle and I have just returned from a seven day cruise to Alaska and it was wonderful. This was the first time that we had been on a cruise of any kind and the experience didn’t disappoint. We had booked at the last minute on a deal and were thrilled at also getting a last minute upgrade on our cabin.

Let me tell you about that first. The upgrade was a balcony which was nice, but for me, the best part was that the room was at the very end of a hallway at the back of the ship. I could find our room on my own without having to count doorways. The deck level was announced on the elevator and I simply walked down the hall until I reached the end. Of course, this might sound a simple matter to those of you who can see the numbers on the doors, but for me it was a huge stride in independence. I did have a bit of trouble on the elevators. I wasn’t able to see which floor number to press. I solved this by pressing them all and then just waiting until our level was announced. Until I reached this solution, I did do a bit of riding up and down and experimenting.

While the location of our cabin was made easy, now let me tell you about the most difficult part for me. The breakfast and lunch buffet line was a nightmare. The line seemed to go from each end of a long counter of foods extraordinaire but the throng of people crowding around often carrying full dinner plates and cups of hot and cold liquids was very confusing. I was afraid that I might bump into someone at every step I took. Not only that, it was almost impossible to manage my own selection in one hand with my cane in the other. I ended up just sitting at a table at letting Lyle wait on me. With the long lines at the food counters, this wasn’t his favourite thing to do either.

So, those are the two practical issues. Other than that, we both really enjoyed life on board the ship and the different and in many cases, spectacular scenery. Our ship left from Vancouver and stopped at Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, with a short cruise into Glacier Bay before returning again to Vancouver. I will tell you more of each spot once Lyle has had a chance to sort through our photos.

In the meantime, here is a picture of our ship. We travelled on the Volendam with Holland America. It was definitely a good first cruise experience. 

Sue in front of the Volendam

May 9 - The Power of Words

This morning I was thinking about a recent visit to an ophthalmologist and the old adage, Sticks and stones can break your bones but words can never hurt you. In truth, I think that words might have an even greater power to hurt than sticks and stones. Certainly, in some cases words can have a far more lasting impact than a bruise or a bump or even a broken bone. At least, that has been my experience.

I clearly remember my first visit to an ophthalmologist. I am sure that he was a very clever man but his bedside manner was severely lacking. I had come to his office after the initial trauma of becoming legally blind. I was emotional to start with and his brusque manner did nothing to sooth me. Basically he said, “Your condition is irreversible. I suggest you go home and learn Braille. There is nothing I can do for you. Don’t bother to make another appointment. It’s just a waste of my time.” That was it. He stood and left the room. Yes, his words were all true, but the effect the delivery of this news had on me and the way the words were spoken left me in an even greater emotional upheaval.

Over time I have had the opportunity to speak with many people about their visits to eye doctors, optometrists and the like. Their experiences have been coloured not so much by the extent of their vision loss but often by the delivery of this news by their specialist.

Last week I again had occasion to be chatting in the office of an ophthalmologist. Again, a very clever man with years of medical training and practical experience to his credit. However, this gentle man made a comment which I hope will stay with me. In a quiet voice, he said:

 “I am often humbled by the accommodations people make when they are faced with very difficult challenges. I have such admiration for them.”

I would hope that I can emulate the attitude of this wise man. His words had a powerful effect on me. People who encounter challenges in their lives are not to be pitied but to be admired for their positive reaction to their circumstances. When I left the office, I resolved again to try to be one of those people held in high esteem by this humble man.

May 5 - Definition of Blindness

What do you think when you hear that someone is blind? The other day I was reminded again of the different perspectives of blindness. While some people see being blind as being totally without sight and living in a world of darkness, still others see it as having severe low vision. Then there is the definition of being legally blind – for instance, being unable to read the large print on a newspaper or seeing an object across the other side of an average room. I fall into the latter category, but explaining to other people how it is that I see often presents a challenge.

Just the other day I was making a travel booking on the phone.  For safety reasons and for the protection of the carrier as well as for myself, I usually offer the information that I am legally blind. The phone conversation went something like this:

Me:      Is there a place on the application to note that I am legally blind?

Agent: What do you mean – legally blind?

Me:      I am quite visually impaired.

Agent: Well, there are only three categories on the form – blind, deaf or wheelchair user. Are you one of those? What do you want me to do?

Me:      Well, I suppose that you should check “ blind”.

Agent: Are you blind? Do you use something so that people will know you are blind – like...a stick or something?

Me:      I use a white cane.

Agent: Oh good, that’s it then. I’ll put you down as blind.

As a postscript, in her next email, the agent sent me a form to be filled out for passengers with disabilities.

What is your definition of blindness? Did you know that only ten percent of CNIB clients are completely without sight? The majority of clients have some degree of vision. How do I describe myself?  I suppose that I use a variety of terms depending on the given situation. Sometimes I say that I am blind or legally blind or visually impaired. When I am feeling politically correct I use the term partially sighted but mostly in general conversation I simply say that I don’t see very well.  I wonder again – What is your definition of blindness?