Yesterday, Derek shared with us some of the most important realizations he came to while learning to be a blind college freshman. We learned that college campuses are inconsistent and confusing at times, loneliness is a very real emotion and good help is hard to find. Read on to learn the last two of Derek’s real and honest life lessons.
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4. Why Is It My Job to Educate People?
At the time I started college, I was using a guide dog. If I was ever without my dog, which was rare, I always had a white cane. One would assume that when people saw either the dog or the cane they would quickly know there was something not quite right with me. However, that usually was not the case. Both faculty and students alike had many issues understanding what it was like to be a blind person. I mean, after all, they were sighted. Note: a good friend once told me that being “sighted” sounded like he had a disease. I told him it was a disease he wanted. I must admit, I was quite surprised when so many people had no idea what to do around me. Usually, they just felt guilty about saying anything dealing with the sense of sight. They hated to use words like “see”, “look” or “watched”. Most of the time, I would get questions like, “did you see the new movie… Oh, sorry man.” You could tell they felt awkward and so did I. What I quickly realized was that it was my job to help them understand how to act, what to say and what it was like living with some level of blindness. And, honestly, it was really annoying. I just wanted these goof-offs to get it without me having to tell them. How hard is it? I’m blind. Get over it. But, after some soul-searching, I realized that if I didn’t teach them, no one would. Or, worse yet, someone who had no experience would try to teach them and totally mess things up. So, even on a college campus, where there are tons of different cultures and backgrounds, it was still my job as the “blind guy” to educate people about the world of vision impairment. Yes, it was annoying, but it was well worth it when the people actually learned and the awkwardness went away.
5. College + Technology = A Winning Combination
Since this is an assistive technology blog, I guess I will close this out talking about how important assistive technology in the world of going to college is. When I started college in 2002, as shocking as it is, technology had not come that far along. I did have a computer that ran ZoomText, Jaws and other similar software. I had a scanner, a printer and a CCTV. But, keep in mind that all of these products took up about a fourth of the small room that I had. Nowadays, we have things like iPads and laptops which don’t take up hardly any room. And, we blind folk can now use almost every mainstream technology item such as the iPhone. So, no longer do we have to stay in the “dark ages” with huge pieces of machinery that make our dorm rooms look like they are from the 1970s. Even CCTVs, although still somewhat large, have gotten much sleeker and don’t take up near as much room. And with the help of organizations, like Easter Seals Crossroads, there is no reason we as students shouldn’t know about and have the technology we need. I wish I had known how many things I could have done with the proper technology when I went to college. I had gotten some, but really didn’t know how to use it all. I strongly advise anyone either in college or getting ready to attend to take advantage of services provided by Crossroads. No, they did not tell me to write this so don’t stop reading now. It just seems only right to learn from people who know about these products and services so that when you go to gain your education, you won’t be spending a ton of time trying to learn the technology instead of learning about whatever it is you are studying.
I am sure that if I sat back and thought more, there would be a ton more things to write about. But, for now, these are just a few things I thought I would share with you about my college experience. I hope they have been helpful to you and caused you to think a little bit. For all those who are getting ready to attend college, let me give you a word of encouragement. College is a wonderful time. But, it is only is wonderful as you make it. So, (in as cheesy of voice as I can muster) MAKE IT WONDERFUL! And, if you have time, try to go to a class or two. They’re actually pretty interesting.