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CHANGE OF GEARS

Today we change gears, let us have an insight about persons with visual impairment. Here are some courtesy rules that Mugambi Paul has highlighted.

COURTESY RULES;
I'm an ordinary person, just blind. You don't need to raise your voice or
address me as if I were a child. Don't ask my pal what I want'"Cream in the coffee?"'ask me.
1. I may use a long white cane to walk independently; or I may ask to take your arm. Let me decide, and please don't grab my arm; let me take yours. I'll keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps.
2. I want to know who's in the room with me. Speak when you enter. Introduce me to the others. Include children, and tell me if there's a cat .
3. The door to a room or cabinet or to a car left partially open is a hazard to me.
4. At dinner I will not have trouble with ordinary table skills.
5. Don't avoid words like "see." I use them, too. I'm always glad to see you.
6. I don't want pity. But don't talk about the "wonderful compensations" of blindness. My sense of smell, touch, or hearing did not improve when I became blind. I rely on them more and, therefore, may get more information through those senses than you do'that's all.
7. If I'm your houseguest, show me the bathroom, closet, dresser, window'the light switch, too. I like to know whether the lights are on.
8. I'll discuss blindness with you if you're curious, but it's an old story to me. I have as many other interests as you do.
9. Don't think of me as just a blind person. I'm just a person who happens to be blind.

In Kenya I hope one day we shall have a law requiring all drivers to yield the right of way when they see my extended white cane. Only the blind may carry white canes. You see more blind persons today walking alone, not because there are more of us, but because we have learned to make our own way.
One day you shall understand why I sang
#heshima kwa fimbo yangu.
Take a few minutes and watch the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK6glYgAeZQ

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