Wednesday, November 11, 2009

The Special Girl!!

It was a usual Monday morning. I quickly packed the lunch box and got ready for office and my husband dropped me at the bus stop. It was already late and so I decided to board any BMTC bus that comes my way rather than wait for my usual Volvo bus. I somehow made up my mind to get into the crowded BMTC bus. Though I detest the very sight of the old fashioned, dirty looking BMTC buses, today I had no other choice(Late riser should pay the price!!). After some time, the girl sitting next to me got up from her seat and another girl took her place.I didn't notice who she was or what she was having in her hand until she asked me whether we have reached CMH Road(the stop where she wanted to get down). She never looked at me while asking this question. I felt something abnormal in her.Then I realised that she was a blind girl!!I was a bit shocked and surprised seeing the life that she was leading. Despite being blind she travelled travelled alone and just used one stick for assistance. She sought the help of any stranger who came her way to reach her destination. She was proabably going to some blind school or for work.She travelled like a normal person, all alone.She got down at the same stop where I got down. Then she just started asking for the directions to reach her place jus looking straight.She kept on repeating the same words till someone heard that and came to her help.Since I was nearby that day, I took her to the road where she wanted to go. On the way there was a tender coconut seller and near him there was another blind man sitting. The tender coconut seller called the girl and took her to the blind man, then both of them left to the place wherever they wanted to go. This was my first encounter with a special girl who was leading a normal life despite being blind.It was really touching. I was admiring her courage and boldness. I was wondering how she was able to trust her fellow travellers for her directions.I 'm too skeptical about talking to strangers or asking for any address to them.The very thought runs chills down my spine. But she is used to it .May be she has some special characteristics that we normal people don't have to distinguish between good and bad people.She might be following her instincts to trust some people and go in the directions they tell.That's why people with inabilities are called as special people since they have some special abilities. Unlike us she has to rely on strangers and trust them.Hope she always finds her way correctly with the help of trustworthy people around her.It just made me feel small.
This just sparked another thought in my mind...Aren't we also blind in a way despite having a perfect eyesight. We are blind towards so many things in life when we are insensitive and fail to help such poeple with inabilities, when we are insenitive to other people's feelings, like our own family members, friends or colleagues.We have our own reasons for being like this. But wouldn't it be better if we can open our eyes a bit and start looking at things around us with our mind's eyes too??

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