When I directed the training center in Seattle, we provided challenges to students in order to allow them to prove to themselves that they could live full, active, competitive lives regardless of how much or how little eyesight they had. We involved students in water skiing, cross country skiing, swimming, horse back riding, over night camping, roller and ice skating and much more. In class room settings the students learned adaptive skills. But class rooms are inherently safe havens. We knew that to "jump start" newly blinded adults we would need to pull them out of the safe zone an into the real world. Noticing our many outings, some of our Department staff called the training center the "Country Club", where staff and students played the day away. But in reality those were the most intense and stressful years of my career. They were also among the most rewarding and happiest.
Now, working with older newly blinded people, we have family members worrying that we are not keeping mom or dad "safe" when we are teaching them to slice, dice, sauté and bake. Many of these family members tuck mom or dad away in pretty, safe little cubicles called Assisted Living Facilities, where their basic needs are taken care of and they sit all day feeling forgotten and useless.
Life is to be lived. We'll have eternity to be safe.
Curious Carl
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