18 Sep 2009, Posted by Cat in News, 2 Comments. Tagged life
sleepwalking
Yesterday in the cavernous interior of Central station’s country trains section I watched as several people, one after another, walked smack bang into a blind man who was making his way towards the exit. The blind man was large, black and clearly identified with his red and white ping pong ball tipped cane. The space was not crowded – there was plenty of room. The folks who bumped into him were not paying attention, trucking along mindlessly in their own little worlds. After tripping up, they threw him bemused looks. The blind man was not rankled. His pace did not slow. Clearly, this sort of thing happens often.
2 Comments
September 18, 2009 8:39 am
mireille21
I used to cross from Flinders St station at the busy intersection of Elizabeth (where they have a four way cross), each morning. one morning i noticed a blind guy crossing, coming towards me. i watched carefully in case he needed any assistance, after all he had to navigate tram tracks and a hoard of people going in all directions. As he was sweeping his cane from side to side, there was another guy walking towards him not paying attention. As the cane swept to the left, the sighted guy tripped over it and fell on his face, got up, looked mildly embarrased, brushed himself off and kept right on walking. The blind guy continued without even pausing, having not noticed at all. I, on the other hand was very amused, and quite assured that the blind guy probably did not need my assistance.
September 18, 2009 1:06 pm
lyndahawryluk
Slow and steady wins the race. I like his resilience. I doubt I’d have that much myself.
There’s a man in town here I’m involved in the Surfrider Foundation with. He’s been blind since he was 19 and contracted meningitis. Wade makes his way around town with a cane and a guide dog, Ernie.
I’ve been in the car before with his fellow SF mates as they slow down, call out ‘Hi Ernie’ and toot the horn. Wade, without missing a beat, grabs his crotch, yells ‘fuck orf!’ and keeps walking.
I’m not saying I have no compassion for the blind man – but I do appreciate that Wade’s friends treat him pretty much the way any of their mates are treated – with affectionate mocking. Being treated as an equal is a form of respect too.
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