[nagdu] Over There

[Craig Heaps]

That's terrific.  I know that on BART trains most of the empty seats are 
"over there".  I know because people tell me that's where they are.

The other extreme is the person who, when I say, "Is there a seat available 
for me and my guide dog?", grabs my arm and drags me "over there."

Craig and Chase

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kristen via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2014 8:08 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Over There


>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
>
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