Blindness is not a handicap.
It’s a workaround. Everybody’s got a
workaround:
I’ve got a bad hip.
I’m afraid.
My knee is messed up.
I don’t like fighting.
A person with sight learns visually.
A blind person is taught by feel.
It’s like dancing where your partner acts as your eyes. You stand behind the blind person and grab their wrists to guide them through the movements. In many ways, a blind person is more aware and attuned to his/her surroundings than a person with sight.
Their sense of hearing tends to be stronger and their ability to interrupt their surroundings is different than my students with sight.
Focus
A person who can see will focus on what’s in front of them versus from the
sides or behind. A blind person doesn’t rely on what they “see” in front of
them, but rather what they “feel” or “sense” around them.
For these reasons a blind student can be a better fighter. They are very
aware of their environment and they move quickly in circular motions to
make sure things are clear and safe. They’re less likely to become
distracted.
Blindness & Tae Kwon-Do
Please don’t think I’m promoting blindness or that Tae Kwon-Do is easier
for the blind. That’s absurd. I merely have empathy for the blind because I
personally would not want to be without sight.
But I would overcome it because I’m bull-headed, just like my teaching
assistant, Mark, who happens to be blind. It’s a workaround, and it’s what
makes you stronger.
Overcoming adversity in life makes you a better person.
