Dear all, Colleague shared this with me and thought of sharing this to the list.
"I was invited to a Friday evening event by a MNC Vendor organization who had organized it to raise funds for a center for blind people. When I went there, there were approximately 40 people from various industries invited for that event. I found some Indians and naturally talked to them about how life is in Singapore etc . Initially we were shown a video about the center for the visually handicapped. What are their activities, how are they helping blind people in Singapore to lead a more fulfilling life, etc. It was a short 15 minute video and quite inspiring to know how people from different walks of life spend time in helping these blind people without expecting anything in return. They enjoyed the satisfaction and fulfillment they get in helping the blind. After the video, we were all gathered together in a hall and were briefed about next event. The theme of the next event was "Dining in the Dark". And this is the event which turned out to be inspiring. It is worth sharing. All of us invitees were going to have Dinner in a pitch Dark room !!!! The next 2 hours were completely planned, organized, directed and executed by three blind youths. One was a girl ( Leader ) and other two were boys assisting her and forming a team of three blind volunteers. The blind leader first gave us tips for dining (These were ACTUAL STANDARDS THE BLIND PEOPLE FOLLOW IN ORDER TO MAKE THERE LIFE EASIER) 1. When you sit at your table the things will be placed as follows : at 3 o clock of your dish : You will find a spoon. at 9 o clock : Fork; at12 o clock : spoon. At2 o clock : Empty Glass Dish at the center with Paper napkin tucked at 6 o clock. 2. There will be two large Jugs circulated to you. The Jug with plain walls will have water and the Jug with curved wall will have orange juice. 3. When you get your Jug based on your choice you have to pour it in your glass. You have to dip your forefinger in the glass so that when you fill it and the liquid touches your finger, you have to stop pouring. She asked whether everyone has understood. All said yes but everyone was confused and trying to remember what she said and confirming with each other. The next 1 ½ hours that we spent were full of fun and learning. In a completely pitch dark room where we could not see ANYTHING we were enjoying various delicious food without seeing it. Each of us 40+ people were taken in groups in the dark hall. Each one was directed by blind person till he/she sat on a chair (We were finding it awkward because actually we are supposed to guide blind people to their destination and help them). We were Served full five course dinner by this team of three blind people-Welcome drinks, Appetizers, Starters, Main course and Desserts. The amazing thing was that the team of three blind people was serving exactly vegetarian dishes to vegetarian people who were sitting randomly in the room! While registering on line we were asked question to choose from "Vegetarian" or "Non vegetarian". I obviously chose Vegetarian, being one. We were so nicely hosted that we did not have to wait in between serves. As we were ending finishing one dish, we were served with next without any delays. After approx 1½ hour of Dining in the dark, the leader asked whether everyone has finished eating. After confirmation she switched on the lights of the dining room. We left the Dining room with tears in our eyes. We realized how lucky we are and how we have been gifted with beautiful eyes to see the beautiful world. We realized how difficult lives of blind people are (and other handicapped) without being able to see. " We realized how uncomfortable we were for just two hours without being able to see anything and how they must be living their lives. We realized how unfortunate we are , that we do not value such simple things in life that we have and cry (sometime louder, sometime within ourselves) and run after what we don't have... for whole of our lives without having time to adore for the things we have. The blind opened our eyes _____ Time to meet up again! Register for AccessIndia Convention 2014: http://accessindia.org.in/harish/convention.htm Register at the dedicated AccessIndia list for discussing accessibility of mobile phones / Tabs on: http://mail.accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/mobile.accessindia_accessindia.org.in Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in Disclaimer: 1. Contents of the mails, factual, or otherwise, reflect the thinking of the person sending the mail and AI in no way relates itself to its veracity; 2. AI cannot be held liable for any commission/omission based on the mails sent through this mailing list..
