[nagdu] Over There

[Kristen]

I do not know who wrote this, but I bet we have all experienced 
the very same thing. I found it on a Facebook group and thought 
it would be appropriate here:

  "Over There"
  As my guide dog Shadow and I stood in line at the checkout of 
the River City Market at CSUS, I asked the cashier what I 
considered a simple question. "Where are the napkins please?"
  Her response was hurried, but sincere, "over there."
  Emerging from the light rail for the first time, I managed to 
catch the attention of a passer-by. "Please sir, can you tell me 
where I might catch bus 63?"
  A kind voice offered a pleasant response before disappearing 
into the cacophony of the early afternoon, "You can catch it, 
Over there."
  So many things reside over there -- napkins, bus stops, 
pencils, pens, clothing racks, department stores and even my 
shoes! A never ending supply of important and indispensable items 
and locales all reside in this place which is shrouded in mystery 
and intrigue. I stand in perplexed silence after learning that 
something is over there. It is a place I have never been and have 
no hope of finding on my own.
  My guide dog is quite skilled in finding chairs, stairs, 
elevators, escalators, helping me cross streets, and can even 
find me the Diet Pepsi display at Food Town; however, when I tell 
her to find "over there", her little bottom hits the floor and a 
small whimper tells me that she is as confused as I.
  We will not be going "over there" today. Over there has caused 
me abit of vexation, a lot of confusion and, on occasion, made my 
heart race. I have discovered that "over there" can be a 
dangerous place.
  One day while crossing a street, I heard a driver's irritated 
voice shout out a warning of a truck bearing down on me from over 
there. Shadow artfully dodged the oncoming vehicle and pulled me 
to the safety of the curb. Our hearts were both racing as we took 
a few moments to compose ourselves.
  Close encounters with over there can be frightening 
experiences. Although many blind people have wondered as to the 
exact location of, "over there,", few have dared to venture forth 
in an actual exploration of the mysterious place.
  One day, while standing in line at the supermarket, I asked the 
clerk where I might find the aspirin. With a cheery smile in her 
voice, she informed me that the aspirin was located, "over 
there."
  With a weary sigh, I decided that I would take the extra step 
that would unravel the mystery, which had vexed my compatriots 
since the beginning of time.
  Taking a deep breath, and attempting to look nonchalant, I 
smiled at the clerk, "Where," I asked, "is over there?" I 
imagined the girl's shocked expression. I felt her sharing 
condescending and concerned looks with her fellows in the store. 
The silence grew palpable as they mulled the possibility of 
allowing a blind person access to the forbidden land. She had no 
choice; she would have to tell me how to find "over there!"
  I had won! Exhilaration swept through me as I waited in 
breathless anticipation. A victorious smile crept to my lips, my 
hand tightened on the handle of Shadow's harness, we would soon 
be going over there!
  The clerk's voice reeked with resignation as the decision was 
made. "That way," she said.
--
Kristen