Eye-opening experience raises blindness awareness while fundraising

Our intrepid reporter searches the table in his attempt to “dine in the dark,” mimicking the challenge that everyday tasks can be for those inconvenienced with the loss of their sight.

Courtesy photo/NANAMI MEZAKI

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to do anything with one of your senses taken away? While Covid has taken away the sense of smell for many, have you ever thought about having your vision taken away?

On Saturday, Feb. 22, I got to experience eating dinner and playing games firsthand at the Blackout Blindness experience at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. The event, hosted by the Greencastle Lions Club and the Joly Jr.’s 4-H Group, allowed attendees to have fun with games and teach others about being blind and navigating life.

Have you ever eaten while being blindfolded? Well, imagine sitting down for dinner with the power out in the middle of nowhere. You can’t see what is in front of you, whether the food, a drink or even a napkin.

The recent Blackout Blindness event also features guide dog Cammie, who is being trained to assist in leading the blind or visually impaired.

Courtesy photo/JOE FIELDS

Not knowing what I was going into, I asked Darcy Stahl what this event was supporting.

“This event helps us fundraise for the Easter basket program where we give Easter candy and toys in baskets for all of the kids in the foster care system in Putnam County,” Strahl said.

“Von Braden, a Putnam County resident who is blind, put on a ‘Dining in the Dark’ experience that showed me what it was like to eat blind firsthand as someone who is not blind.”

For me, this experience was eye-opening. After getting my drink, I put the blindfold on and the food was brought out when I sat down. I first began to feel around for my utensils and then feel for the food.

The whole experience was like being a fish out of water, but it was interesting to learn more about what blind or legally blind people go through daily.

Braden spoke at the event, highlighting tools she uses daily to help her get around. One she used identified the color of clothing, a second identified the amount of money she had in her hand and the last recorded when an item might expire or how long an item took to make.

“When you are blind or are going blind, it’s frustrating,” Braden said. “You can’t see anything, and it’s frustrating.

“Thankfully, I have a support group, and I speak to others about being blind and sharing my experience with others. As I always tell people, I am not blind. I am inconvenienced.”

The night’s last speaker was Don Allen, Lions Club president and trainer for Leader Dogs for the Blind. Allen helps train guide dog Cammie for leading the blind or visually impaired.

“This is a great opportunity to expose Cammie to a new environment and people to get her used to strange new surroundings,” Allen said. “In her adulthood, she’ll be exposed while leading the blind to all different types of situations. As trainers, we are trying to expose her to these new situations at an early age.”

Asked about the Easter basket event, Allen said, “This is a wonderful event that is put on and an eye-opening experience for everyone to see what it is like a little bit for those who are blind.”

Other attendees say the event was “fun, but challenging because I was hearing everything around me while trying to eat while blindfolded and surprisingly did not have any food land on me.”

Another attendee said, “Having a device that can tell you the expiration date on food or whether or not food in the refrigerator is good or bad was also challenging to hear, but opens the mind to what is going on and what someone who is blind is going through.”

While showcasing the experience, the event also goes to help those challenged in other areas of life.

“We are hoping to raise enough funds to help kids in the foster care system by providing luggage for them instead of them having a garbage bag or a Walmart bag to carry their belongings,” Stahl said. “Our highest we impacted was 350 kids in the county, and I hope we can raise more and help more kids in the county.”

This whole experience has been eye-opening. From eating food while blindfolded to trying to play cornhole and hearing about how someone lives their life blind and how far technology has come to benefit those blind or visually impaired. This while also raising funds to give kids Easter treats and to give them the dignity of having luggage while going from home to home or maybe to their forever home.

If you would like to donate to the Easter Basket project, contact Darcy Stahl at 720-7412 or via email at darcyr13@yahoo.com.

The last day for donations and collected items is March 31, and assembly day will be April 8.