[stylist] Lamenting blindness

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Chris and others,

We all can speak of things we miss after losing vision or never having
had it.

It didn't seem so big when I first lost my sight, but through the last
ten years, I've really grown to miss driving. If I could just get in my
own damn car and go anywhere, anytime, on time, to add, I'd be a happy
girl.

Also, one thing I don't enjoy so much anymore is the ballet and other
dancing shows. I was a dancer from the time I could walk, and I always
loved the ballet. Now... I might as well just go to the symphony. It's
just not the same. I still enjoy dancing myself, but watching it, not so
much.

But as you say, Chris, we grow, adapt and learn about new experiences to
hold dear. And my life has blossomed so much since first losing my sight
too that focusing on any negatives just seems fruitless and detrimental
to any state of living. And I still have the ability to recreate my
memories through the pen, so to speak, grin.

Bridgit
Message: 13
Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:26:21 -0500
From: "Chris Kuell" <ckuell at comcast.net>
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Prompt_When we dance together
Message-ID: <3951BACD596F42908D20CA5DA65139FE at ChrisPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
	reply-type=original

Linda,

I think you did a great job capturing the euphoria of speed and riding
in 
this poem, and the blending of song lyrics was excellent. Nice job.

On a side note, I'm sure you miss riding, and probably will for many
years 
to come. I've been blind for 17 years now, and still dream of downhill 
skiing, golfing, and driving my Mustang (my 1969 Mach 1 is still parked
in 
my garage, and I'm finally coming to terms with selling it). I've tried 
golfing and skiing, both of which I was very good at while sighted,
blind. 
In short, the thrill is gone, as BB King used to say. However, I've 
discovered new ways to give me that same speed rush. About 10 years ago
I 
took up water-skiing, which I never did while sighted, and it's a blast.

I've also grown to love water parks, with those 5 story tall water
slides 
where you shoot down a tube at lord knows what speed, but it's damn
fast, 
and it's a real rush.

My point is, there are new and exciting things to explore as a blind
person. 
Embrace them.

chris