I’ve tried to make an effort for this blog to truly reflect who I am. Sometimes it can turn into solely a “refugee ministry” blog. . . and that is a large part of who I am these days. My life is drenched in ministering to and spending my days with refugees and immigrants. They are my cloest friends and true family here in the Twin Cities. But I am many other things. Most of you know that I am legally blind. I don’t try to hide this really but because of the nature of my eye condition and independence I can sometimes appear very sighted. Great story from today. . .
I was walking down the sidewalk by my partment early this evening while talking on the phone. Suddenly, a man who was riding his bike hit me fairly hard in the right shoulder as he was passing by. Having about 12 or 14 degrees of peripheral vision (the avg peson has about 180), I realized it was probably my issue so I sad, “Sorry about that.” About 10 seconds later I knoticed this guy had turned his bike around and was all pissed about bumping into me. He says pretty forcefully, “Are you blind or something?” I responded directly, “Yeah, actually I am. I’m severely visually impaired.” You can’t stay ticked when someone responds that way. He turned his bike around and drove away.
Inside I was laughing my head off. I wasn’t too bothered that I bumped into him. I was on the phone with a friend trying to figure out where a mysterious box of clothing came from that was in front of my apt door as I arrived home. I certainly wasn’t going to try to ignore who I am – I am legally blind and I’m not ashamed of that; it’s part of who God made me to be. So I just let the chips fall where they fall. Could God change who I am and make me perfectly sighted? Of course. But there has to be a certain confidence and trust in who I am. Today was just a reminder.
Just a heads up for you guys. Hardly any legally blind (those who see 20/200 or less w/ corrective lenses or who have less than 20 degress peripheral vision) people carry a white cane or use a guide dog. And hardly anyone who is legally blind has no sight at all. The assumption is that blind people see blackness and that is true for very few of us. Anyways, just helping you out so you don’t stay a fool forever. 
(sarcasm intended)
So yep, just wanted to amuse you for a bit today. Thanks for tracking with me – a blind, confident, independent, continually humbled, passionate follower of Jesus who loves refugees.
