BLINDNESS
Work
As a blind child grows up, he or she can learn to do many different kinds of work.
On page 509 in Chapter 54 we list many of the different kinds of work that disabled
persons can do. Those types of work marked with a * have often been done by blind
persons.
The village child who is blind should be given many opportunities to help with work
around the home and with farm work. The blind child should be invited and expected
to help in a wide range of daily activities, just like the child who can see. What
starts out as play and imitation ends up as learning of useful skills.
A family that farms the land can begin to include a blind child in gardening and
farming activities from an early age.
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To get an understanding of the whole process of
growing the family food, the child can start by
planting seeds, watering them, caring for them as they
grow, and finally harvesting, cooking, and eating the
product.
Later, the child can go with his father or mother to
the fields and help with the planting. With his feet he
can follow the furrows, or grooves made by the plow.
Try to involve the child with each aspect of housework and farm work. At first show
her and guide her as much as is necessary. Then help less and less until finally the child
can do the whole job alone.
Social life
The blind child should have all the same opportunities in the community as other
children do. Take her with you, and then send her, to the market, well, river, school,
and temple. Introduce her to the people you meet. Explain to them that she is an
active little girl like any other, except that she cannot see. Ask them, when they see
her, to make a point of speaking to her (since she cannot see them), of answering her
questions, of helping her to find what she is looking for. Ask them not to do everything
for her, but instead to help her figure out how to do more for herself. Little by little
people will begin to realize that a blind child can do a lot more than they would ever
have dreamed possible. And they will begin to respect and appreciate her. For the next
blind child in the village, it will be easier.
Take the child to meetings, movies, puppet shows, and town events. Explain to her
what she cannot see.
When children who are blind grow up, they can marry and have children. They can be
as good parents as persons who see.
disabled village children