Living Blind in the Wind
What’s life like for someone blind or partially sighted in a place with no pavements, no trains, and the odd cancelled ferry? Would love to hear from anyone living in rural area
The holiday is well over; the suitcase is unpacked and back in the bottom of the cupboard.
The Western Isles is now a distant memory, but it did leave me wondering, how does anyone blind manage to live there without either going mad or being carried away into oblivian by a gust of wind?
The storms felt relentless. The constant buffering of the wind while disoriantating for me is of course ‘normal’ for locals.
As someone who’s totally blind, I have been trained how to orientate myself and use tactile crossings in places that at least have some simple infrastructure.
My guide dog did his best, keeping tight to the side of the road and facing oncoming traffic like he’d done it all his life. Trouble is, when the wind’s howling, you can’t hear a thing. I call that blind man’s fog. You know there’s potential danger nearby, you just can’t tell where.
Public transport was another story. No trains, very few buses, and taxis that may or may not exist. The villages are so spread out you could walk for miles and still not find a shop. Apparently it’s beautiful countryside with amazing beaches, just not ideal when you’re trying to get a pint of milk.
Then there were the ferries. I was lucky to be travelling with someone sighted, but it got me thinking how I’d cope alone. The CalMac staff were brilliant, but I do wonder what it’s like for someone travelling solo with a guide dog and a sea that’s not exactly calm.
Back home in my small central Scottish market town, life’s simpler. I can imagine living independently here but I think I would struggle somewhere so rural. We’ve got pavements, crossings, a railway station, and even a bus service I like to pretend I’ll use one day. Everything’s close enough that I can get around without too much drama.
Still, it’s made me curious. For anyone blind or partially sighted living somewhere so rural, how do you get on? Do you access special mobility training? Or do you Rely on family and friends? Or is it just that you know every path and pothole because you’ve been brought up there all your life?
I can’t imagine moving somewhere so rural without intense support. I’d be lost before I’d even unpacked, or got on the ferry, for that matter.
Don’t worry, I’m not heading for Benbecula with my white cane or dog any time soon. My small town suits me fine, and my guide dog’s got the route to the station and the pub memorised. Though if he had his way, we’d move somewhere with beaches.
But I’d love to hear from anyone who does live there with a disability. How do you manage? Were you born on the islands or did you move there?
(And if anyone from CalMac’s reading this, how would you handle a blind bloke who hasn’t got a clue how the access arrangements works.?)
If you’ve had your own adventures trying to get around rural communities, blind or not, I’d love to hear your tips.
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