My experience of temporary blindness

Oh no! Why is everything pitch dark? Why is this happening to me? I started bawling and screaming my lungs out hysterically. Frantically, I faced up to reality. I have lost my vision, something which I had taken for granted. Groping my way to the toilet, which used to be a 10 seconds journey, took me forever. It was tedious, knocking over my chair, some books, an alarm clock and bumping my head against the toilet door. I almost died trying to find my way around, feeling very frustrated and impatient. Everything was far from routine although I once joked that I knew my room so well I could go blindfold without any problems. Now it seems like a maze to me, I do not know what lies ahead. I was filled apprehension, uncertainties and self pity.

Fortunately, my ever loving family members encouraged and supported me. They became my ‘eyes’. Not once did they complain when I needed help in the middle of the night or when I became fiery-tempered. They were always patient and understanding, sometimes too much for me to bear that I wept in silence at my handicap. But I had to be strong. I really hated the complete reliance on my family members. I felt like a burden although nobody ever complained. In fact they pampered and indulged in me. My first independent help came in the form of a walking stick which had a little bell. After much training I was able to move around with much ease and I was proud with that little achievement.

Since one of my vital senses has failed me, I had to rely completely on my sense of hearing, touch, smell, taste and my sixth to guide me along. I am amazed how quickly these other senses kicked in and worked collectively to help me through this very difficult period of adjustment. I could smell the food, the exhaust emitted from the vehicles and the fresh air in the park. I love the sounds of birds chirping, cricket piercing and all the other cacophony of voices everywhere. Even the croaking of frog seems like music to my ears. I became more aware of the shapes and sizes of things which I paid little attention to previously. Do you know that durians, though thorny, can be therapeutic to the touch? One of my achievements was to rely solely on my sense of hearing to play one of my favourite pieces on the piano.

I missed seeing the beauty of everything: the sky, clouds, roses etc. Once we were in Swenson’s and my sweet sister painstakingly described the sundae we ordered in great details like lime green mint ice cream topped with crimson cherry, rhombus shaped nuts and snowy fresh cream. It made my mouth water even before tasting it.

Thankfully, the doctors were able to isolate the virus which caused my temporary blindness and after a course of antibiotics, I was back to my ususal wide eye self after being blind for almost half a year. How glad was I to have my gift of sight back. Now, I am more appreciative of everything I have and I really admire those who are visually impaired. I realized how much I had taken everything for granted and now my life has taken on a new meaning. I resolve to volunteer more of my time at the Centre for the Visually Impaired.