The loss of sight is undoubtedly a great tragedy in life. John Hull, a blind lecturer at a British university, says: „When I lost my sight, my world collapsed. I felt as if I had no body, as if I were stripped naked and plunged into endless darkness. Only gradually did I create a new world in which I now live.“
Blindness is often followed by depression, alcohol or drug addiction, or even suicidal behaviour. However, most people affected by blindness manage to cope with this fact in an admirable way. According to the perceptions of sighted people, blind people live in constant impenetrable darkness or in a kind of foggy world of shadows. Fortunately, in many cases we are mistaken. Blind people find themselves in a different world, a world of sounds, smells and touches, which they perceive more accurately and sensitively than others. Their memory also improves, which they need more.
He does not know what darkness is, nor what light is.
If a person who has been blind since birth regains their sight – for example, after successful medical treatment – they will be just as disoriented and stressed for a certain period of time as someone who has suddenly gone blind. Although it sounds paradoxical, regaining sight somewhat narrows the world of the blind. The word „darkness“ describes blindness inaccurately, because the eyes of a person who has been blind since birth cannot see anything. Light is as abstract a concept to them as terrestrial magnetism is to sighted people, whose existence we do not doubt, but which we do not perceive. Yet migratory birds use it to navigate.
It is therefore absurd to ask such a person what it is like to be blind and what they actually see. „Do you only see darkness?“ They do not know what darkness is, nor what the term „see“ means. Those who become blind during their lifetime retain memories of light and see it in their dreams. But even when awake, they „see“ something that is not there. Landscapes, faces, light phenomena, staircases and various objects. Typically, these apparitions are repetitive, do not depend on any triggering mechanisms and look very real, vivid, bright and too beautiful to be true.
Frenchman Jacques Lusseyran lost his sight as a result of an accident at the age of seven in 1932. He „saw“ light emanating from a place he did not know. However, as soon as he felt anger, fear or impatience, the illusion disappeared. Thanks to this, the boy learned kindness, courage and patience, because he wanted the light to always accompany him.
He saw blue vacuum cleaners, golden sparks and floating bridges.
American writer and cartoonist James Thurber was visually impaired and went completely blind in the mid-twentieth century, when he was in his early fifties. This was followed by fantastic, surrealistic illusions. He saw blue vacuum cleaners, golden sparks, snowflakes, flowing saliva, a cheerful elderly lady walking through a lorry, a cat rolling down the street in a colourfully striped barrel, and stone bridges rising upwards. These images did not torment him, but rather enriched his work.
What can we add to the slightly provocative title of this text? Perhaps only that our sympathy is definitely appropriate, but it would also be good to know that some blind people do not particularly want it and even find it annoying. They themselves can sometimes joke harshly about their situation. More than our pity, they need consideration or help when necessary. But do we always know how to behave? Here are a few tips from Hermann van Dyck's brochure Not like that, but like this.
Salutation
If we want to help a blind person, we should first make sure that they actually want our help. We should approach them and ask if they need assistance. It may be that they can manage on their own and our well-intentioned efforts could be a nuisance to them. If their answer is yes, offer your arm and say, „Please hold on to my elbow.“ It is not very effective to grab them and push them in front of you. Please note the order. First speak to them, then make physical contact. This is important because doing it the other way round is like someone unexpectedly jumping on your back. Warn them of any obstacles. Just say „pavement up“ or „pavement down“; there is no need to stop, as they can manage the situation with their walking stick.
Means of transport
An experienced blind person who walks independently can also travel. Just bring them to the car and place their hand on the door handle. The same applies when getting out. When getting in or out at the same time as them, go first, show them the handle, or offer your hand. You can warn them if the step is high or low. Offering them a seat is a matter of course, but leave it up to them to decide whether they really want to sit down. If so, show them the seat by placing your hand on the backrest and saying, „Here is the seat.“
In the toilet
First and foremost, put aside any embarrassment if a blind person asks you for help. Believe that it is much more difficult for them than it is for you. If you are of the same sex, enter the toilet together and explain what type of facility it is (cubicle, urinal, trough). Show them where the toilet paper, flush, sink, soap, towel or dryer are. You can also point out that the towel is noticeably dirty and that they should use their handkerchief instead. Be tactful and step away from the urinal. If you are of the opposite sex, ask a member of staff or another customer for help. If there is no one around, help in the toilet for the opposite sex, calmly and without embarrassment.
How to inform
Do not say, „The chair is here“ or „There is a free table by the wall,“ but rather, „The table is about three metres away“ and „The chair is in front of you.“ At the table, you can say, „The glass is in front of your right hand.“ It can be difficult to help a blind person find their coat or luggage, especially if they do not know the colour. Therefore, it is best if they put their things away themselves.
How to speak
Do not be afraid to approach blind people and talk to them. They also enjoy company and do not feel comfortable being alone. Even if you know each other well and you know that they can recognise you by your voice, it is always better to remind them who you are, where you know each other from, or when you last „saw“ each other. There is no need to avoid phrases such as „look at this object“ and placing it in their hand, but neither should you avoid words such as „blind“, „blindness“ and the like. Definitely avoid saying things like „how awful“ and „that's the worst thing that can happen to a person...“ in their presence. Even if you speak quietly, remember that even completely blind people are not deaf, at least in most cases. Their hearing is more sensitive than ours.
On a busy street, in a room where the radio is playing, or in the company of several people, do not leave a blind person without letting them know, and also let them know when you will return. You don't have to talk constantly, as this tires everyone out. Silence also has its place. It is not necessary to report on everything that is happening or can be seen around you. They are more aware of their surroundings than we think, and if they want a description, they will ask for it. Be punctual for appointments. Minutes of waiting are much longer for blind people than they are for us.
Useful information
When sharing a common space, it is important to maintain order and precision so that blind people can remain independent. Everything must have its place, return shared items to where you found them, and if you are unsure, ask. Doors must be either completely closed or completely open, and cupboard doors and drawers must always be closed (they could be an unpleasant surprise even for sighted people). And do not leave any objects lying on the floor.
What else can be said in conclusion? Perhaps only that „We see clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.“ (A. de Saint-Exupéry)
This article was published with the kind permission of of the magazine Sphere
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