The blind adult is in need of some one who, while recognizing the
undeniable calamity and loss, is yet ready to lend a steadying hand,
encourage the uncertain feet to their old, free movements, lead the
troubled thoughts into other channels, and find new methods of doing old
things. Thus encouraged, the blind adult will soon resume his normal
attitude, realize that much good work may yet be done, and that others
have blazed a trail which he may follow, if he will. But if his family
and friends feel that, because eyesight is lost, all is lost, and tell
him that, because of his affliction he can do nothing, he will do
nothing. But if they tell him he has a handicap, and that they will help
him to work it off, all his fighting blood will come to the rescue, and
he will say, with Emerson, "the king is the man who can." I give this
sentence to all my pupils, and their spirit leaps to the call, and,
holding to my hand for the first few, uncertain steps, trusting in my
assurance that very soon they will find their way along this new path,
the bent shoulders straighten, the bowed head is lifted, the darkness is
dispelled by the light of purpose, soul sight replaces physical sight,
and the pupil is ready to face life again, undaunted and unafraid. What
a wonderful privilege, what a rare opportunity for service, to the
teacher alive to the possibilities of her unique position! "When the
song goes out of your life, you can not start another while it is
ringing in your ears; but let a bit of a silence fall, and then, maybe,
a psalm will come, by and by." To live by a song is all very beautiful
and wonderful, but to live by a psalm is braver and worthier. And, in
the case of the blind adult, the readjustment period may be called the
interim between the song and the psalm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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