Experiencing a disability like visual impairment can make connection more challenging. We chatted with Maybelle Center Member, Pat, to ask him about his experience during the pandemic.
Thanks to you, Pat looks forward to his calls with Jenna (Maybelle Center staff), who he describes as “bubbly, caring, and always trying to match you up with the right resource.”
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1 – The COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for many of us. As a blind person, what’s your experience?
Getting help with things like transportation has always been challenging for people with blindness, and right now, the stores don’t really want us in there. We need more hands-on help, and it’s difficult for employees to keep the six-foot rule.
There’s also a lot more people out there trying to attain the same resources, like food boxes. It’s hard when you can’t depend on the resources that you’re used to because those people don’t want to come out right now. I had a police officer bring me a food box a couple of days ago. That’s how bad it was.
It’s also tough to be cooped up and locked down in our buildings. For the blind community, a lot of our activities have been taken away – everything is going to Zoom now. My only contact is with Jenna [at Maybelle] by phone or someone bringing me supplies.
When you’re blind, you can’t really get out and walk around our neighborhood and feel safe. Awhile back, I was walking down the sidewalk, and I hit this guy lying on the sidewalk with my cane. And he says to me, “Hey! Look where you’re going!” Sidewalks are supposed to be for us to walk up and down – you shouldn’t have to go into the street to get around obstacles.
2 – How have you been able to help others during the crisis?
Right now, I’m one of the hosts for a weekly Zoom call through the American Council of the Blind (acb.org). Many callers are trapped in their house and can’t get out. Others are in assisted living places where they’re locked down and haven’t been out of their apartments for seven or eight weeks – not even into the lobbies! We try to comfort and talk to them – maybe tell jokes, play music, and all kinds of things.
[minti_blockquote]There’s a lot of pain and suffering out there – a tremendous amount. I try and wrap my mind around that and figure out how, in my little world, can I help give somebody else a little bit of relief? – Pat, Member[/minti_blockquote]
3 – When have you felt most like yourself lately?
Being open and being willing to go the extra mile for someone or a cause. I get knocked down to my knees, but I get back up and keep swinging. I love that about myself. I got that little extra bit of grit. I’m always searching to find new ideas and creative ways to get things done.
4 – What do you secretly love about yourself?
It’s always in the morning when I feel the most comfortable and the most relaxed. I get up early – like five o’clock or so, stretch a little bit, have a cup of coffee, and think to myself, “Thank you, Creator. Granted, it’s a struggle, but I am blessed that I get another day to go out and make a difference.”
5 – What’s your relationship with Maybelle Center?
I first started working with Maybelle Center five years ago when I was living at Alder House. I work with student nurses to show them that being disabled or blind is not the end of the world. Nurses want to make a difference in our community, so they need to learn how to work with people in this sector.
Maybelle Center’s a great opportunity to go down and help others. But the Center’s also a good place for people that need assistance with whatever challenges they’re having in the community. It’s hard to find resources, especially in this state.
Maybelle Center gives people somewhere to come and feel safe. The staff will be understanding and won’t rag on you. Maybelle Center may not be able to get their problem solved immediately, but it’s an outlet where they can come and figure it out together.
So many people in our world live with disabilities. But there’s something special about losing your sight that makes people think all you can do is sit in your rocking chair. And it’s not true! I always say we’re just people who need to overcome barriers.
6 – What’s your passion – the one thing that keeps you going?
I love advocating for people with disabilities. All of us lose our sight at different ages and times. Everybody has a different set of skills, and everybody has a different background. And we all have to work together.
Because of the technology today, there are so many things that the blind community can now navigate – but it still hasn’t opened up jobs. In the United States, we have 7 million blind people, but only one out of 10 blind people work right now – the opportunities are not there. Those of us in the blind community have always had to depend on finding other ways to get by.
My passion is trying to help blind people start home-based businesses. I’ve been self-employed since I was a kid. I’m always trying to find a creative way to make $1 and share it.
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