I have been exploring vision and sound as of late. The way a blind child will ask to touch a person's watch, bracelet or ring a thousand times in one sitting. The way the air changes when a door is standing open, as opposed to when it is shut. The tactile world that I am only fractionally familiar with.
One of the things that remains a learning curve for me when it has been a while since I have been a guide to a blind person is pacing and movement.
Do not walk illogically slow.
Do not run.
Remember that you are the width of two people and be aware of anything that may block or trip or trick you both. I recall my first time guiding when I, unthinking and standing on solid/dry pavement, led a DeafBlind man onto a patch of black ice.
Be aware, but don't overthink it.
It's like when people ask me if it is rude to say things like "sounds good" to Deaf people. Nobody cares. It's not like hearing people are saying "wow, that sound sounds incredible in my ears" when they use that phrase. It's a turn of phrase of agreement or confirmation.
Don't over think it.
But still, there are times, when I feel a person's hand on my arm- and I feel my legs stiffen and my stride become stuttered.
Get over yourself, I think lovingly to myself within my head.
Don't over think it.
k.
(image: Miguel Miguel)
