Senses: An Anthology

Friday, 21 September, 2007

Life is difficult when you’re young, especially when you have a visual problem, but life has to go on. It’s like ‘you can’t do this’ and ‘you can’t do that’ but who is to judge what I can or cannot do? And nobody wants to listen to a thirteen-year-old schoolboy. Or at least, they just ignore me. It’s always difficult when you are part of a society where no one cares. Just another obstacle in the way. I have my own ideas; opinions and a sense of the world around me, but nobody will listen. Nobody listens! Only paper can be a source of comfort to me as ‘paper’ cannot judge nor can it argue back. It’s like a friend who just understands who I am.

I’m not a difficult child, yet other people might think I am. I’m just another child that has been pushed to the side. And why? Just because I’m different. School is always a challenge. I have to sit at the front so that I can see the board but I’m always challenged. Yes, I wear glasses, but these do not eradicate the problem. Or even make things easier. And it annoys me when people don’t understand how difficult my life is. How I have to rely on other senses to get around and do daily tasks. If other people had no sight, then maybe they might understand what it’s like to be visually impaired.

[Comment added: 4th January, 2008] Am I sounding too harsh? Maybe? Maybe not? I just don’t know. If I explained it better then maybe, just maybe, people will understand.

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Saturday, 07 March, 2010

I can say that you are probably the only friend that I have right now. I’m sure that I have people who could be classed as ‘friends’ but they just don’t have the patience or knowledge about how difficult my life is. How challenging it is for me to do the simplest thing. Another week, another day has gone by and still no one cares. I just look out of the window and wish that everything was ok. But it isn’t. Exams are coming round fast and I know what’s going to happen. Papers aren’t going to be in the right size font, the computer is going to drive me mad and I won’t get enough time to even complete the exam. But what can you do?

Getting around is still difficult despite that I do have some vision, and yet people think that there is nothing wrong with me. Which makes me wonder whether society really knows what having a ‘visual impairment’ means. And government doesn’t help; it’s down to us individuals and charities to spread awareness around. I  can’t really complain ‘cause what do I know? I may be ranting on again but that is what happens when you are stuck indoors, seeing the same four walls all day long. I’m surprised that it hasn’t driven me insane yet.

More to the point, I feel that I cannot go outside or socialise with friends because of my sight. Especially at night. You would think that daytime would be fine. But no. People everywhere; bright sunlight and those annoying buses which go straight past you if you do not put your hand out in time. For me this really irritates me ‘cause I can only see the number once it’s close to the bus stop. Night-time is even worse as I can’t see a thing until it’s almost near me, and I know how embarrassing it is when you walk into somebody and say “Sorry, I didn’t see you there, I’m blind”. You may laugh but trust me it is no laughing matter. Great. Mum’s calling me. Bye for now.