A visit back home. Friday Jan 8th

Yet another sleepless night waiting for Monday morning to come but I made myself get up to go get things done. While Ben left to go dilute solvents and other chemical mamajama, I ventured to Jesse Moshure (Shop "Keeper" for the theatre department) to get the best sound reducing gear that I could. We found not only headphones but ear plugs that will reduce sound by a total of 63 decibels. I could MAYBE hear a log drop next to my face. We spoke for a bit to determine the logistics of being blind in everyday life, discussing how it may affect me immediately especially since most of my entertainment comes from visual based activities.

Jesse was nice enough to go himself to pick up the headphones for us and we'll be getting them on Tuesday (The second day of my blindness). He also gave us some gaft tape so that we may try to cover the medical bandages over my eyes so that light can not go through. This, hopefully, will work because I rather not have a sleeper cap over my face for an entire week. I said goodbye to Jesse as I tried calling my friend Ameer for our next task.



This is one of my closest friends from highschool, Ameer. You may not be able to tell from the picture, but Ameer has been blind since the day that he was born. He can slightly detect difference in light changes but is absolutely blind. Never has this ever stopped Ameer. He has been published multiple times in technology magazines for computer programming, is attending a prestigious college, and is an Eagle scout. Yes. He's an Eagle scout. Thats hard enough to accomplish as it is. Imagine being blind and trying to do that. Ameer is one of the greatest guys I know with one of the best sense humor I've come across. He's never let his disability stop him and he takes life by the horns. I feel honored to call him my friend.

Ben and I ventured out to Greenville on our way to go gaming (like every friday) to visit Ameer and to borrow a walking cane from him. We all had a great time talking about this and that while there was never a pause in the conversation. I had asked Ameer for a few pointers about going blind. "What do I do if I get lost? How do you tell where you are? What do you do in your free time? What do you think will be my biggest challenge being blind?" Ameer calmly explained that the number one thing I needed to do was to take everything slow. Its like any other new experience and will take some time to adjust. We ended our conversation with a little jazz on the piano and hugs and handshakes all round. I can't wait to see Ameer again and I appreciate all of his help.

Ben and I ventured off to Greenville to our gaming groups later that day and didn't return until very late. I think that I may try to go out, like I usually do, while blind to play tabletop games such as Flames of War and Dungeons and Dragons. These games may be challenging because they are considered to be very visually based strategy games. Positioning and sight are a necessary part to play; but instead of giving up on my games I plan on trying to engage in the same activities I would as if I did not have a disability.

I can not wait for Monday and plan for a great fun filled weekend of photography and baseline testing.