How Do the Blind See the World?
Reflections From Someone Who Doesn't See Through the Eyes
Today I had the profound opportunity to learn from someone who has been blind since the age of 14 due to an eye illness. She joined the course I am currently taking part in, to openly share her experiences and answer our questions about blindness, her life, and how she perceives the world.
It was an eye-opening experience that left me with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by those with visual impairments.
One of the most intriguing aspects was learning about how she “sees” the world without visual input.
She described constantly perceiving a kind of grey, nebulous image in her mind’s eye. But beyond that, she has developed a heightened sensitivity to the emotional energy and atmosphere in her surroundings.
She could vividly describe the feeling and vibe of our classroom, picking up on subtle cues that sighted people often miss. It seems almost like a sixth sense, an ability to read the unseen currents that flow between people and places.
This made me reflect on how much we rely on visual appearances to inform our sense of self and others.
Without access to mirrors or images, her sense of identity seems to stem from a deep inner presence — a pure “I am” without that much attachment to the external form. There’s a profound lesson there about the essence of who we really are beneath the surface.
However, she also candidly shared about the challenges of navigating a society that is still largely unconscious about the needs of the blind and other differently abled individuals. Simple things I take for granted, like walking in open spaces or using public transport, can be a constant struggle.
It opened my eyes to how much progress is still needed in creating a truly inclusive and supportive world.
As part of the course, we each spent an hour blindfolded to experientially step into her world. Let me tell you, it’s disorienting and humbling. Your normal sense of space and orientation gets completely destabilized.
You realize how much you depend on others’ guidance and goodwill to navigate even basic environments.
Luckily, she has a beautifully trained guide dog to assist her. Interacting with the dog was a heartwarming highlight that demonstrated the power of inter-species connection and service. We could take the dog for a walk in the beautiful forest, surrounded by mountains and a waterfall.
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