The Blind Poet: Diversity Event

The Blind Poet

This week I attended the diversity event called "The Blind Poet". Dave Steele has recently, within the last six years, lost most of his vision due to a hereditary disorder called Retinitis Pigmentosa or R.P. for short. He was able to come to Rhode Island College because one parent has a daughter who is gradually losing her sight and hearing and connected with Steele Facebook asking if he would come to the college during his United States branch of his tour. Along with him Steele brought Barry Asmen, who is a vision specialist in Baltimore and is currently helping Steele travel during his tour. Asmen works for his family's practice and stated that there mission was to improve (those who lose their vision) their quality of life and ensure that they are included. Asmen's goal is to educate the public more about sight loss, because a lack of education has led to patients having less options and resources to benefit them in their everyday life. 

Dave Steele is from the U.K. and is traveling to raise awareness and connect with those who are also experiencing sight loss. There was a 1 in 2 chance that he would get R.P. and it all started when he started experiencing night blindness. Night blindness is when your eyes have difficulty adjusting to the lights in different rooms or areas. After experiencing night blindness, he then lost he peripheral vision and now his central vision, in which he can only see a tiny pin hole in his right eye. There is no cure or treatment for R.P., but he said he would not change his condition, because it has taught him so many life lessons.

He was once a professional signer before losing his sight and has three children two boys and one girl and a wonderful wife who he clearly loves very much, along with his guide dog, Christopher. Steele shared that his sister also has R.P. and is blind as well, but he did not know much about her condition until he was older, because his parents would not discuss it much around him. When he was in his 20's he went to his eye doctor who said that his retinas had deteriorated and Steele needed to stop driving right away. At the time Steele was struggling financially and was almost homeless. His sister told him to reach out to support groups for those with sight loss and R.P. to help feel less alone.

Steele suffered from tremendous anxiety, guilt and depression surrounding his condition, worrying that he would pass it onto his children. One night someone asked him to preform at an event for R.P. and he performed his own version of "Stand by Me". He said that the crowd was very moved and many there with sight loss said that the song connected to them and spoke what they were feeling. After this performance he started to regain his self confidence and then began to write poetry every single day.

Steele shared numerous poems he has written with us, and they are about the struggles that go through his mind, the guilt he feels for his children who are carries for the condition, but also the positive life lessons he has learned throughout his journey. His goal like Asmen's is to help spread awareness of those who experience sight loss and combat the stereotypes around it, while also providing support to those who struggle with losing their vision.

Connections

Steele's poems and life story reminded me of many of the articles that we have read in class throughout the semester. One of the texts I could relate Steele's presentation to was "11 and Gender Fluid" by Erin Zelle. In the article Zelle discusses her daughter's experience with being gender fluid, both the positive and negative experiences. Zelle states, "This summer has been difficult and she has had a particularly rough time at the day camp she's been attending in Altadena. A common and heartbreaking refrain caps off most days, 'The girls tell me I'm in the wrong bathroom and don't believe me when I say I'm a girl' she tells me" (Zelle). This statement from the article directly relates to a point brought up by Steele. In his presentation he stated how many people he has come into contact with, battling sight loss, are hesitant to get a cane of a guide dog, because they feel they are not "blind enough" for one. He went on to elaborate that they do not get the resources to help them because they feel that they do not fit into what society would deem as truly 'blind'.  Steele also shared his personal experience which relates to the quote from Zelle, in which he shared that in order to get help from Parliament since he could not work, they have to send someone (who is fully qualified) to determine if someone who has loss of vision truly needs assistance. I find that these two instances that Steele shared with the audience relate to Zelle's statement about her daughter, because people are being stereotyped and told what they need to do or not do, based upon others' opinions who lack knowledge about their identity or condition. In both instances Zelle's daughter and those who struggle with sight loss are being told that they can not do or have certain resources, if others deem them to not fit into the ideas they have in their minds.

Another connection I made to an article that has been read in class this semester is to the article, Privilege, Power and Difference by Allan G. Johnson. In the text Johnson discusses the problems of stereotypes in the world and that in order to fix these problems we need to discuss them and deal with the discomfort in order to change society. Johnson also states that social boundaries only exist because man made them and that these boundaries create spaces between others. I found this article to relate to Steele's presentation, because he discusses at the end that his goal is to spread awareness of the issues and lack of resources that those with vision loss face. I will admit it was uncomfortable to hear that those with sight loss struggle to have the proper resources and lack support, but I then I remembered Johnson's article. The article reminded me that I may be uncomfortable in the moment, but in order to change societal ways we have to cope with the feeling and understand the changes that can be made. Steele also talked about the social boundaries those with vision loss experience such as Johnson did in his article. Steele stated that many of those losing their vision will stop doing things they love because they do not feel as though they belong. These boundaries are not just created in their minds, but it is reassured when there is a lack of resources in stores, restaurants and activities for them. I realized that even though I felt uncomfortable I had to deal with it in order to understand Steele's point of view and help change society.

The third reading I connected Steele's ideas to was Unlearning the Myths that Bind Us, by Linda Christensen. In the article Christensen discusses the assignment she has her students do, which is to write in their journal their ideas about other authors writings and television programs that may portray stereotypes. In the text she states, "The dialogue journal spurs them to argue, to talk back, and create a conversation with the writer" (Christensen 128). Her goal is "to develop their critical consciousness, but also move them to action" (Christensen 134). I felt these statements made by Christensen in her articles related to Steele's presentation, because it was implied that his goal was to bring about discussion relating to sight loss and try to influence others to take action on the limiting the stereotypes surrounding vision loss and the lack of resources their are for them.

Hyperlinks

As I looked more into sight loss I came across many articles, blogs and websites that could relate to Dave Steele's presentation, however, I am going to limit it to three that I found. 

Living With Sight Loss
The first link I found was to a website by Mary Lee Turner who provides resources to those who know someone who lives with sight loss or is someone who is losing their vision. On the website she provides resources to help support those with sight loss. She herself has been vision impaired for thirty years and wants to provide resources to help those who experience sight loss along with their friends and family. She provides contact information for people to reach out to her, along with videos and advice. This link directly relates to Steele's discussion, because he too wants to provide support to others who are losing their vision and encourages them to reach out to him to conversate about their fears, worries and challenges they experience. Steele tries to provide support and encouragement to others who are experiencing a similar situation that he has.

American Foundation for the Blind
There is a link for the website created by the American Foundation for the Blind, which provides numerous resources for those who have lost their vision or are starting to. On the website their are numerous links that allow people to understand the various eye conditions, how to use technology when starting to lose eye vision, and there is a link for parents to look at in order to help their child with losing their sight. There is a tab a the top of the home page that shows how people can take action to advocate for those with sight loss and sponsorship opportunities as well. I find that this website relates to Steele, because one of his main goals is help provide support to those experiencing sight loss and help them live a life of quality despite the challenges they may face. Steele advocates for those who struggle with stereotypes surrounding the issue and like Steele the website provides ways that others can advocate as well.

Vision Impairment
This link provides information explaining what sight loss is, how to adjust to the world with vision impairment, apps that help those with sight loss, doctors and organizations that specialize with low vision patients and where to start if you are deemed to have vision impairment. I feel as though this website correlates well with Steele's presentation, because Steele provided the definition of his eye disease R.P. and the doctors and organizations he has used throughout his journey with low vision. Steele shared numerous stories of his struggles with his loss of sight, but also has helped many others get the proper resources for their sight loss and how to cope and manage the struggles they face each day. This website like Steele teaches people where to start if they are diagnosed with vision impairments and different tools that they can use on their phone or in their everyday life to help themselves.

Personal Thoughts
I personally felt that the presentation was well worth it. I felt like I learned many things about sight loss and the struggles that many people face with it. I liked that Dave Steele was very open about his own anxieties and worries surrounding his life with R.P. The poems he shared were very well written and highly personal. Steele was vulnerable and transparent during his presentation, which added to the impact his stories had. The stories he shared of not only himself, but others who struggle with sight loss as well were highly moving and motivational. Steele taught me things that I did not know and how many negative stereotypes surround sight loss. I will now think twice about what I say to those who experience vision impairments and I will try to not make assumptions about their conditions.

Steele with his guide dog Christopher

Steele with his volumes of his poetry