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A Person to Admire

by Audrey Pihulyk

That bright spring day, Susan* laboriously pedaled her three-wheeled bicycle, deftly dodging traffic as she delivered her twice weekly flyers. Little did she know that in a few moments a car would rear-end the bicycle, sending her and her papers flying. As she picked up her bruised body from the pavement, she strained to see the car license for the accident report. Try as she might, her eyes just could not pick out the numbers. Frustration flooded her. This was just one more incident to stack up to the injustice of macular degeneration that left her with failing eyesight. What was a person with three percent sight doing riding a bicycle, delivering flyers to houses whose numbers she could not even read?

Susan’s life had not been an easy one. She had never known a stable family life; her birth mother, when giving her up, did not sign the necessary papers to allow her to be adopted. Consequently, she became a ward of the government. Susan was shifted from one foster home to another with no one really appreciating the bright, kind and independent girl they had in their care. It is this independence and kind nature that I most admire about Susan. The many-faceted tasks even facing a sighted person can sometimes cause frustration; how much more for those who have limited vision. Thankfully, this handicap has not stopped her from experiencing the richness of life.

A few years ago, while at the CNIB, she met a kind and gentle man named Sam*. They fell in love and later were married. Many poignant and humorous events have since occurred in their married life. A number of years ago they owned a tandem bike; Susan would do the steering, with Sam behind her. On this particular day, they were driving down a hill on a rather busy road in a large city, enjoying the sunshine and the breeze as it rushed past their faces. All was well, until to her horror, Susan realized that the bike’s brakes had failed. Here they were, gathering speed, two people on a bike, one with limited vision and the other with none at all. Susan shouted to Sam, “Jump! We have no brakes.” He, putting his trust in her, did so, with Susan right behind. Fortunately, as they leapt from the bike they landed on a patch of grass, and except for a few bumps and bruises which they sustained, it became no more than an unforgettable experience.

There have been many memorable times that Susan and I have spent together, but the most cherished was on the occasion of our first walk together. I had asked her what I could do to make her life a bit more enjoyable. Without hesitation, she said that she would love to go for a fast walk. One of the frustrations in her life was that if she went for a walk, she would have to do so carefully, picking her way along with a white cane.

On my first walk with her I experienced a moment that is forever etched in my mind. It was a beautiful spring day with a warm caressing breeze and bright sunshine, the kind of day that gives the heart hope of the soon-coming summer. As we walked briskly with her arm entwined in mine, I noticed that Susan had a look of pleasure on her face and a determination in her stride. We spoke of our hopes and dreams, challenges and frustrations. I could feel her joy and ventured a lingering look in her direction. Her face was slightly uplifted to the sun, its rays playing on her features, the gentle breeze caressing like fingers through her hair. On her face I saw a distinct look of pleasure and contentment. My heart rejoiced with the thought that such a small effort on my part could give such joy and pleasure to my friend.

One would imagine that the yard belonging to those with limited vision might be untidy, having weeds intermingled with the flowers and vegetables. Not so for this couple. Their yard spoke of two pair of loving hands that took time to plant flowers and vegetables in specific locations, even though the two pair of eyes had limited or no vision. Paving stones formed a pattern throughout the yard acting as landmarks or guideposts for the couple to maneuver around the yard safely.

As we continued to stroll through the garden, I saw a fenced area running from the house to the back alley which I learned belonged to Sam alone. No one dared set their foot in this area. This private place is where he enjoys long hours of pleasure operating his model train, complete with a station, hills and even stop lights. As he sits by his train, listening to the noises the wheels make as they roll over the tracks together with nostalgic sound of the whistle, his thoughts go back to his childhood days. As a child Sam lived in a town that did not provide any special education for the blind. Consequently, he had to travel thousands of miles by train to receive special education. At certain holiday times, as he traveled home by train, the clack, clack sound of the wheels and the lonely whistle added to his anticipation as he neared home. These nostalgic memories are special to Sam, making this hobby a very special one.

When we leave our homes, most of us do not experience obstacles, but not so for Susan; there are many obstacles with which she needs to contend. Where does the curb end? Where are the lamp posts? Is that car going to stop for me? Are those people who are approaching me friendly? And even with her acute sense of direction, on occasion, Susan becomes lost and resorts to flagging down a passing car, whose driver then points her in the proper direction.

In our world, many of us take our vision for granted: the color of the sky, the different shades of green found in our plant environment, and the wonderful matching colors of the clothes we wear. Not to mention the satisfaction of seeing the faces of family and friends we care for so dearly. However wonderful these things are for us, we have to sit back and marvel at what is accomplished by people like Susan and Sam. We can all learn from their example, and when we do, the world will be a better place for us all.

* The names have been changed to protect identity.

Nurse Audrey is the “Stress Strategist,” who brings to your audience cutting-edge strategies and thought-provoking ideas, always with a touch of humour. Her motivating keynote and interactive breakouts are described as inspiring and energizing.

Her book: I Really Gotta Quit! Break Free from Eating Disorders & Other Addictions, together with her audio programs are available through her website. To order product, or to book Audrey to speak at your next meeting, email her at: audrey@possibilitiesnetwork.com, or contact her through her web site: www.possibilitiesnetwork.com , or call 1-866-484-2197

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