Training in the blind center isn’t all about learning new skills, or brushing up on old ones, our activity director does a good job at finding extra curricular things to do. The social events do more than give a break from the daily life in the rehab center. The blind vets get to go into the “real world” to put some practical use to what they’ve learned.
sometimes the events are after hours, and some take time away from the daily routine, and a nice break from class. There’s also a public awareness element to it, as the crowd of blind people visit places like golf courses, restaurants, museums, ball parks, a fishing hole, and more. The volunteers at those locations get to assist, but also socialize as they do. The blind vet gets to practice using their cane, shifting to help with a sighted guide, or to using other navigational techniques where needed. There’s plenty of complexity in the world, and applying as many of those classroom lessons lets you know how they work in real environments.
It’s a constant give and take as the volunteer and vet interact to accomplish a mission, and enjoy the social interaction along the way. The latest event was at a VFW hall where we were invited for a dinner and bingo.
I’ve heard comments on the natter of letting blind vets play bingo, and being allowed to gamble, as if it might be corrupting us innocent, naive, young veterans. What? Us? (Insert surprised look of innocence here). They even serve adult beverages at such events… (gasp)! don’t act so surprised. For that matter, nobody is twisting anybody’s arm to sip a little strong drink, and often the majority of us stick to soft drinks.
I don’t know that the kind of bingo involved is gambling, since no money is at stake. Nothing is paid ahead of time to play, and just because prizes are awarded doesn’t make it a gamble. You come with nothing, and usually everybody leaves with something.
To me, the bingo is only as fun as the conversation at the table, and the level of interaction of the volunteer who is assisting in spotting numbers on the card. Honestly though its all about getting a bingo, I’d rather miss a few numbers on the card, and miss out on making bingo, than have a helper who is a little too diligent.
OK, prizes, or winning a dollar is nice. Of course, its good to be aware of numbers that have been covered, the ones left to fill in for a win, but the pressure for that is on the blind vet as much as the volunteer. If you don’t ask, or express the desire to know, your sighted helper doesn’t necessarily know how much to share with you.
They may see their main job as just filling in the squares on your card. They may forget to make small talk. If that’s important to you, then be the one to make the small talk. I’m horrible at that. If I don’t have fun because of it, I at least know who to blame. It’s all me.
Before the game, (which by the way, my big bingo winnings amounted to $3) there was a nice dinner. No, make that a big steak dinner. Some of the biggest rib eye steaks I’ve ever had, a full pound if they were an ounce. Cooked a touch more rare than i might like, but cooked all the way through, tender, juicy, and an inch thick. We’re not talking a tiny plate either. It was one of those rectangular platters, with potatoes and veggies from edge to edge. Then if that wasn’t enough, apple pie with ice-cream for dessert. The meal alone was worth the night out.
In short, the lady’s of the VFW auxiliary and their cook staff did an excellent job at hosting the event. All the various folks from VFW always do a great job in giving us blind vets a break from training, and this is just one example of their dedication in supporting fellow veterans. I know the events are attended with much gratitude.
This has been only one example of folks who go beyond expectations every week to help blind vets be motivated, and encouraged to get out there, and stay active in the world. From people who aren’t instructors. People who go out of their way in volunteering. All I can say is, thanks again.