Adventure 8

For last weeks class we learned about blindness. We watched a couple of videos pertaining to the subject. the first video was about a lived experience of a man who paints. We also watched a video about how GPS's, can be used to help someone with blindness orient and locate different locations with out a guide. We also watched video about Orientation and Mobility Specialist and how one can be a sighted guide.

We were able to put the sighted guide information into practice by partnering up a classmate. We took turns being blindfolded and being the guide. As a leader we were instructed to guide our partners to a different building. For our excursion, we were suppose to allow our partners to experience different terrains and not give clues to where we were located. As the person being lead, we had to try and orient our self by making a mental map and listening to the noises that one heard around themselves.  I am someone who watches the road and tries to avoid pot holes and sorts. During this activity, I felt it was especially difficult for me to fully let go of my control and trust my partner. When I was the ginny pig and being lead around campus, I constantly felt like I was about to roll into something or off of something. I would flinch or duck my head if there would be different light shadows. As the leader, I noticed that I would forget that my partner could not see where we were going therefore, I would turn before I would give her the direction to turn.

When we came back together, we continued with two other activities.   For these activities, we were not allowed to speak to each other for communication. We had to find other means.  For the two activities we did wall tape art, this is were one can create a mural with painters tape. The other activity was creating different objects with clay. I was also blindfolded for the tape art activity. With no communication, I was confused to what I was suppose to do.  I was the guide for clay activity and there were moments that I became frustrated because my partner was not understanding what I was trying to tell her.

Through out these experiences I learned better ways to communicate with individuals who may be blind. I also have gained some understanding to what it may feel like to be guided. Having this experience helps me become a better guide to someone when needed.  It was interesting to be able to help other individuals as a change, instead of individuals always helping me.