I don’t wear dark glasses. I don’t carry the standard Braille Tap cane, I don’t have a dog. (Well i do, but Tasha, my 9 pound Pomeranian, would only lead me to food.). So when people hear me say I am blind, they respond, “You don’t look blind”.

They see me at the gym (circuit training), at the mall, the local stores, walking, riding my bike (that took a year) and doing these by myself. I do wear a Braille ID tag around my neck, I always wear a visor (blocks the sunlight) and I do carry a BIG stick, painted whtie with a red tip. I may be slow, but I will not stop.

I dont act blind either. I am probablly skipping ahead, but it ready to be said.

Understand that I walk erect. Im scanning everything, (I can see with the sides of my eyes, but really just movement). I know that when there is a dip in the sidewalk, its usually a driveway. I stop, I look and look again and then I go. I dont expect people to see me. I know that when its a curb, I have to step up. I kick the curb, to know where the step up is. I can see something blocking the sidewalk. I usually have to wait till I’m right on it to know if its a person, or a ladder. I carry a phone, radio or audiobook, I can put on my head phones by my self.

I have only been blind for 7 years. The other 40+ I was like everyone else. I got up, I went to work, I cleaned the house and took care of my family. I just do things slower.

I am lucky enough to have a group of “Seeing Eye Dogs”. They know I say that loveingly. Besides my wonderful husbnad who gets stuck reading most things to me, I have a bunch of gals, who pick me up for different events. T, Becky, Suzanne, Coloma, Betty, my deepest thanks. They know to walk in front of me, so I can follow. When we get near a curb or step, they calmly quietly say “steps here”

I do have bus passes for different transportation systems around me. As well as a list of who to call for emergency transportation.

i may not look blind, but the fact still reamins, I am.

As always,

One Blind Mice