We were very lucky to have a special morning arranged by Mrs Hicks today. She arranged for Open Sight to come in and talk to us about what it is like to have a visual impairment and gave us the opportunity to experience what it would be like to be a child with VI.
Terry gave us a talk about how he lost his sight and how he lives with his impairment. He talked to us to about how even simple tasks can be tricky and that he uses a stick to help guide him. Terry can see things but they are blurry so he uses a stick to identify that he may need help, rather than to trace his path to different places. He also had a guide to help him with things such as driving!
Terry gave us a talk about how he lost his sight and how he lives with his impairment. He talked to us to about how even simple tasks can be tricky and that he uses a stick to help guide him. Terry can see things but they are blurry so he uses a stick to identify that he may need help, rather than to trace his path to different places. He also had a guide to help him with things such as driving!
We also looked at different foods and activities that can be good or bad for our eyesight.
We then took part in lots of different activities. By wearing different types of blindfold, we experienced different types of blindness. Playing simple games with a visual impairment actually made them very tricky!
Threading was also especially tricky!
We also worked as guides to help support a partner around the hall with their vision impaired. We realised that it was important to listen to what the person needed help with, rather than assume and do everything for them.
With a visual impairment, it was very difficult to work out where the chair was! Rather than pushing the person down on the chair, we worked out how to guide them so that they had independence and awareness of their surroundings.
Finally, we also had a go at making our name using Braille.
What did you take away from our VI awareness day?
