open your eyes

This will open your eyes

Dear All,

 

Please do read till the end. Sharing as received.

Ref: http://stirupatirao.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/dining-in-the-dark/
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I am sharing this wonderful experience, I recently had in Singapore.

I was invited to one Friday evening event by one of MNC Vendor
organization who had organized the event to raise funds for the
visually handicapped people in a center for blind people.

As usual, since it was a Friday evening, I first thought to skip the
event considering it could be a bit boring and rather spend the
evening relaxing by some other means.

But being alone and sometimes finding it difficult to kill time, I
thought to accept the invitation and registered on line for booking.

Moreover it was free :) which was another motivation to go to the event.

I was looking at the event to pass some time, meet few people and nothing else.

When I went there, there were approx 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 etc. Initially we were shown a video about the visually handicapped center. 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 that how people from different walks of life spend time in
helping these blind people without expecting anything in return.

They shared the satisfaction and fulfilment they get by helping them.

After the video, we all were gathered 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 and worth sharing.

What is meant was that we all 40+ people 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 boys were assistant to her
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 THEIR 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;
12 o clock : spoon.
2 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. Next 1 1/2 hours we spent were
full of fun and learning. In completely pitch dark room where we could
not see ANYTHING we were enjoying various delicious food without
seeing it.

We all 40 people were taken in groups in the dark hall.

Each one was directed by blind person till he/she sits 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 were 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 1 and half hours 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 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.
Be cheerful.

Adore whatever you have in life.

You may try for whatever you don’t have but never feel sad about it.
You need to experience it, something like I had experienced, to
believe this philosophy of life.


See:
http://stirupatirao.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/dining-in-the-dark/
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Life of a Blind Person

Interview with a Blind Person

See:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HTKiTJiHq8
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video life of a blind person
life of a blind person