July 18 - Blind Expectations

When I hear the word “blind” I think of someone without sight - but there are variations of that meaning. Being blind doesn’t only mean being unable to see with one’s eyes.  People can also be blinded by narrow perceptions and expectations. I was confronted with this just the other day.  I am waiting for knee surgery.  The comment was made that the knee surgery would not make much difference to my activity level.  After all, I was visually impaired and wouldn’t be doing the same things as people who were sighted. To say that I was affronted would be an understatement.  Admittedly I don’t aspire to be a tennis pro or a downhill skiing champion.  However, within my circle of sighted friends, we like to walk long distances, sometimes swim, go to yoga classes and generally enjoy life. At the time I was too surprised to correct this stranger’s narrow perception of my abilities and capabilities.  I hope that he will watch the upcoming Paralympic Games and expand his perception of the accomplishments of people who are without physical sight. I am wondering if I should have labelled this post Blind Expectations or Expectations of the Blind.  What do you think?

July 9 - Blind Golf

It’s summer and the golf courses are hopping - well, perhaps not so much this week in Western Canada with the extreme heat conditions of the past few days. Lyle and I have a number of friends who love to play golf. The vast majority of these people are fully sighted but we also know a few who are either blind or visually challenged.

Players who are blind do need a guide to enjoy the game. That is likely the most difficult aspect - finding someone who is willing to sacrifice their own game in order to assist the blind player. The guide lines up the shot. Often he or she will place a golf club on the ground to indicate the direction of the fairway. The guide will estimate the distance to the next hole and of course help retrieve the ball at the other end. I remember the first time I was at a fundraising tournament with blind players participating. Gerry, totally without sight, challenged a media person to don a blindfold and beat him on the putting green. You might guess who was the better player. Gerry won hands down. It was a good demonstration of the abilities of a blind golfer.

I was reminded of all this when I joined our family at our annual day at mini golf. I don’t play the big game myself and find that mini golf is challenging enough. Someone describes the tee for me and I give the ball a little whack to send it on its way. Surprisingly, I do not too badly when the final scores are tallied.

I always feel good after our day at mini golf. Of course I could always step back and say that I can’t see but then I would miss out on all the fun. It doesn’t matter that I’m not an expert and we always go for ice cream afterwards. I definitely don’t need sight to enjoy that.

Players who are blind can enjoy golf recreationally or competitively. Although golf isn’t my chosen sport I do admire others who have taken it up. The 2024 Canadian Blind Golf Tournament is being played from July 6 - 24 in Cranbrook, British Columbia. You can check this out for yourself on the internet.