Exploring the Bigger Picture

Walk beside me and you will see, that blindness may not be as scary as you thought it would be. In my life, being blind has created some challenges, but it has also given me a new perspective. Sure, when I first lost my eyesight, there were feelings of fear and sadness, but through time, those emotions turned into enlightenment. Awareness is the key to understanding yourself and others. I’ve had the opportunity to experience life as a sighted person, and now as a blind individual. Both experiences have helped shape me into the person I am today. There’s a greater purpose behind the loss of my sight, to which I believe it is for me to help others.
To those who may not know a lot about blindness, I want it to be known that I am a person who happens to be blind. Blindness does not define me, but instead is one part of my identity. When passing people on the street, my blindness may be all that they see, but to my loved ones and friends, I’m still Robin. I’ve often been told by friends, co-workers, peers, and professors that they forget I can’t see. I engage in a lot of the same activities that I did when I had sight, but with some modification.
On August 11, 2010, there was a release of an alarming study conducted by Surge Research Inc. The study found that most Americans are more afraid of becoming blind than being diagnosed with heart disease, which is the number one killer of people in the United States. It is hard to fathom how some people would rather succumb to a potential fatal disease than lose one of the five senses. Again, this is where awareness and education can make a huge difference. Blindness has not stopped me from living my life. I’ve graduated with a double major and a master’s degree. If you take anything away from this post, please remember that with or without a (dis)ability, all things are possible when you set your mind to it!