The other month I dined with a blind man. It was humbling and eye-opening for me, and I don't think he has any idea. I feel the need to share this now, as abilities and enjoying life are in the forefront of my mind.
This man was a part of the church I visit and our meeting was awkward to say the least...He ran into me. Literally. I saw him coming, but completely oblivious to the white cane extending from his hand, I stood distracted, talking to my friends, until he bumped into my leg.
I turned and apologised, he swiftly replied, "Don't worry, my fault, should have been watching where I was going." Pause for shock on my behalf. Awkward.
After the sermon, which coincidently was about pride, humility and feeling humbled, a group of people from the church headed out to Leederville to a delicious Italian restaurant (Siena's if you live in Perth and are looking for AMAZING Italian), where the blind man was seated across the table from me... and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know his name (and still don't unfortunately), didn't know how to introduce myself, or how to start up a conversation when I didn't know how to get his attention without seeming rude or ignorant.
Yet, as the night went on and conversation perked up, I learnt many things about this man, he loves music. Absolutely loves it, and is so incredibly educated in music history and trivia, that even the contemporary music graduate and musician next to me was surprised by his knowledge.
I had to pick the mussels off his Pizza Marinara. He couldn't see them, and didn't want to put his hands all over the pizza toppings. Still, as I watched him eat his meal, I was humbled.
It's amazing how he went about the task of eating a pizza, a task that to me is simple enough, but to him, took time, patience and many accidentally empty forks.
On the drive home after dinner I could not get this man off my mind. The way he shines, and enjoys conversation and life, despite his disability was heartening in a way I did not expect.
From a night out with friends and strangers, I learnt to be more open with those who may seem different but come with many surprises and interests of their own, so I ask you, if you are reading this, do you suffer from any disabilities of any shape or form and how does this affect your daily life? Or if you know someone who lives with a disability or have had an encounter similar to mine, how did/does it affect you?
