I suppose it was a couple of weeks ago or so. I was studying in the library, when my boyfriend came in to tell me about something that had just happened. I can't really remember where he was headed, but he saw this guy, a blind guy, that had dropped his walking stick. The guy was trying to search around for his stick. Keep in mind, that this happened in the middle of campus. The guy was on his way to class. From what I was told, there were many people just standing around staring at the guy. My boyfriend said he just looked around at everyone standing there and decided to help the guy. He goes over and gets the stick for the guy and hands it to him. I guess the guy asked Clint (my boyfriend) if he would walk with him to class. Of course, Clint said sure. They talked on the way to the building. From what I remember, they guy has been blind most, if not all of his life. He lives on campus and uses some sort of tapping and counting with the stick to get around campus. I was told that he's a pretty fast walker. The guy also tells Clint how he can hear really well. That's not surprising because when you don't have one of your senses, the others are heightened. He said that he can hear people always talking about him and that it hurts his feelings. People usually don't know that he can hear them. He also said that he doesn't have many friends because people are scared of him, or whatever the reason be. Well they make it to the building and they guy says thanks and that he can make it the rest of the way. They then go their separate ways.
Okay... first, I am completely amazed. Yes, I didn't actually meet this guy and I wasn't there to experience this. However, I can imagine. I can't believe he can get around so well. I have never really known someone that has been blind their whole life so I don't really know what they go through. Obviously, simple tasks for people that can see would be hard for people that can't see. I'm amazed that he lives on campus and walks around by himself and goes to class, etc. I just think it's so great. We complain about the dumbest things in life and take so much for granted. This was just another eye opener for me.
Second, I am extremely disgusted, so much so that it's hard to put into words, with humanity. We supposedly live in the "Friendliest Town in America," yet people on campus can't take a second to help a person. People were just standing there looking at him and probably talking about him. It's just rude!! People need to stop being so self-centered and selfish. Try helping someone else for once. It could make their day or even their life. A simple act of kindness can go a very long way. I am tired of having to lower my expectations for people; people need to start raising their standards.
Next time you see someone in need, think of your father, mother, brother, sister, or someone that you are close to. Better yet, think of your child (born or unborn). How would you feel if this person was your child, frantically searching around on the ground? Would you want someone to just pass them by or laugh at them? I'm guessing no. Well then stand up and start doing something about it. Making the world a better place starts with you. If you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in a better or safe world, then YOU make it that way. Let's make kindness epidemic.
Lastly, thanks to Clint for helping this guy and being kind. I'm glad kindness isn't extinct yet.
