In the Land of the Blind

One day I was walking down a sidewalk and came up to an intersection. A blind man was waiting there, and I offered my assistance. He allowed me to help him to the other side, and we talked a bit as we walked.

When we got to the other side, he thanked me and asked me to confirm which street we were on. I told him that we were on Queen Emma Street, and he had a look of surprise about him.

He asked, "We're not on Richards?"

I looked up and, sure enough, we were on Richards, not Queen Emma.

"My mistake," I said. "We are on Richards."

He looked relieved, announced his departure and went about his business, and I on mine.

One benefit from this moment was that I discovered my true location. I may have gotten lost if I didn't get this new knowledge.

The most important benefit I got was this: I learned that you should never underestimate what someone is capable of just because of their perceived limitations or what others tell you that you can expect from them.

The most pleasant surprises come from unlikely sources, but you'll never know that until you give someone a chance. - Cam Beck

(See related article: Don't Be Fooled by Pedigree)

Comments

[Lewis Green]

Cam,

I once lived next door to a fantastic couple, who were friendly, giving and kind. They taught me nearly everything I know about gardening and screws. (The man was proud of his lifetime working in a screw factory.) I love these folks. Both were deaf and mute.

[Robert Hruzek]

Wonderful story and great life lesson, Cam! Amazing how we can fall so quickly into pre-conceived thinking, isn't it?

Still, the value of an "outsider's opinion" should never be underestimated, can it?

[Alan Wolk (The Toad Stool)]

Your story is especially relevant these days, when people's "expertise" may mean they've been doing something a few months longer than everybody else.

And where people's experience in related areas is often discounted because they haven't been vocal about playing in the right spaces.

We have a lot to learn from people who are curious and open to learning. In my mind, there's no risk in seeing what they have to offer