June 11 - Adventures and Misadventures

A number of years ago I read a book by a man who was newly blind. Although I don’t remember the author’s name, I do recall that he wrote of his experiences in the early days of his vision loss. In particular I remember his description of negotiating the streets of London using his white cane for the first time. He wrote that he had no need to climb Everest for a sense of adventure. Indeed, crossing a busy London street was thrill enough.

Now I am not denying that climbing Everest must be the adventure of a lifetime for any mountain climber ... and yes, the ascent has been made by a few climbers with vision loss. The first was Erik Weihenmayer who reached the peak in 2001. He is now an activist and motivational speaker for a world of “no barriers.”

My world will never extend to Everest but like the author of my first paragraph, I seem to have enough adventures to keep my adrenalin flowing. Most of my adventures revolve around simple daily tasks and activities. Sometimes, crossing the street is an adventure, and then there is finding an empty seat in a crowded room, in a buffet line finding foods that suit my taste buds, avoiding bumping into dogs, children and other pedestrians on a walking trail, pretending that I am making a fashion statement when I happen to wear mismatched socks or shoes, and the list goes on.

For Lyle, the heart stopping moments often happen when I am working in the kitchen. I feel reasonably confident myself when I am slicing vegetables and I haven’t cut my fingers yet, but when Lyle is watching he tells me that he is just holding his breath waiting for impending disaster.

Yes, for someone who struggles with vision loss, adventures abound. My own challenge is to keep that sense of adventure and independence alive and with all the misadventures, maintain a regard for safety. Sometimes it’s a fine balance.