Reflections from my first state convention
On October 19, I set out for my first state convention of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. I had so many objectives for the weekend;
- Speak on behalf of the Monroe County Council of the Blind and share our accomplishments
- Meet other blind people and hear their stories and learn new ways for handling common experiences
- Get to know the others in the MCCB a little better
I am happy to say the trip was a success.
The two hour ride to the Brunswick hotel in Lancaster was fun. At least for the non drivers. During this time I had the opportunity to get to know two other MCCB members a little more than before we set out for the trip. Later that evening we hooked up with a few others from our organization and had a good time over dinner. I decided prior to the trip that I would keep an audio journal of the events. Something about having a microphone and recorder that brings out the humor in people. Oh yes, thanks to the sighted member of the group for knocking down that glass, its ok, that sometimes happens.
It was a learning experience being around such a varying degree of blind people. Not just in terms of the wide range of visual acuity, but also people from all walks of life, socio economic as well as people with other physical or even mental challenges.
Two people from this trip left a positive impression on me. First, one of the workers in the hotel named Patrick became quite fond of our group. It is often very obvious when people are uncomfortable being around the blind. Patrick was quite the opposite. He quickly understood that we were just regular folks who liked to have a good time like anyone else. He is just a genuinely kind person who likes to be around people. When my wife and I were putting our luggage in the car, he ran up to us making sure to say goodbye. He has even offered to those responsible for managing the convention details to volunteer for next years festivities. He just had a good time with us and enjoyed being helpful and appreciated.
The other individual was Timothy. I actually didn’t have much of an opportunity to talk with him, but he made an impression on me. Timothy is a sighted person who volunteers with his local blindness advocacy group. As far as I know, he does not have a direct relationship with any of the members of the organization. He simply enjoys their company. Not only does he drive for the organization but he works on various committees to advance their mission. When talking to him, he constantly stressed the point that they do for him, opposed to what many would see as his good deeds. Just a regular guy doing something right for the right reasons. Too often it seems that some in the blindness field assist the blind community but perpetuate the belief that blind people cannot do for themselves. Often treating the blind as though they are less of a person simply because of their blindness.
It felt good watching how we all helped one another. Not from a self righteous pity toward each other, but rather it is just how it’s supposed to be. I think most people at the convention realized that each individual’s physical or mental challenge could easily be their own. For me it felt like everyone there understood my story because they too are living it. That felt good!
- Speak on behalf of the Monroe County Council of the Blind and share our accomplishments
- Meet other blind people and hear their stories and learn new ways for handling common experiences
- Get to know the others in the MCCB a little better
I am happy to say the trip was a success.
The two hour ride to the Brunswick hotel in Lancaster was fun. At least for the non drivers. During this time I had the opportunity to get to know two other MCCB members a little more than before we set out for the trip. Later that evening we hooked up with a few others from our organization and had a good time over dinner. I decided prior to the trip that I would keep an audio journal of the events. Something about having a microphone and recorder that brings out the humor in people. Oh yes, thanks to the sighted member of the group for knocking down that glass, its ok, that sometimes happens.
It was a learning experience being around such a varying degree of blind people. Not just in terms of the wide range of visual acuity, but also people from all walks of life, socio economic as well as people with other physical or even mental challenges.
Two people from this trip left a positive impression on me. First, one of the workers in the hotel named Patrick became quite fond of our group. It is often very obvious when people are uncomfortable being around the blind. Patrick was quite the opposite. He quickly understood that we were just regular folks who liked to have a good time like anyone else. He is just a genuinely kind person who likes to be around people. When my wife and I were putting our luggage in the car, he ran up to us making sure to say goodbye. He has even offered to those responsible for managing the convention details to volunteer for next years festivities. He just had a good time with us and enjoyed being helpful and appreciated.
The other individual was Timothy. I actually didn’t have much of an opportunity to talk with him, but he made an impression on me. Timothy is a sighted person who volunteers with his local blindness advocacy group. As far as I know, he does not have a direct relationship with any of the members of the organization. He simply enjoys their company. Not only does he drive for the organization but he works on various committees to advance their mission. When talking to him, he constantly stressed the point that they do for him, opposed to what many would see as his good deeds. Just a regular guy doing something right for the right reasons. Too often it seems that some in the blindness field assist the blind community but perpetuate the belief that blind people cannot do for themselves. Often treating the blind as though they are less of a person simply because of their blindness.
It felt good watching how we all helped one another. Not from a self righteous pity toward each other, but rather it is just how it’s supposed to be. I think most people at the convention realized that each individual’s physical or mental challenge could easily be their own. For me it felt like everyone there understood my story because they too are living it. That felt good!
posted by T.Reid at 7:10 PM
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