Blind

'Do you mind just feeding the lady in bed D'...

This is often a question I am asked both as a student nurse and as a health care assistant. Most of the time I don't question the nurse and off I go before their meal gets cold; but on some occasions, and this one in particular, I felt the need to ask why.

'She is blind'

So there was my answer. Pretty simple you would think? Although we could delve into this so much further couldn't we. I want to know why the fact the patient is blind plays any part in her being able to feed herself? Why must being blind render her useless and unable to function as a human being?

The patient in question was an elderly lady. She was in hospital for a few days after a hypoglycemic attack (low blood sugar). Her uncontrolled Diabetes took her sight six years ago and since then she hasn't quite come to terms with it. As I approach her I hold her hand and introduce myself, trying not to shout because after all, there isn't anything wrong with her hearing!

'Oh hello dear, no thank you. If you put the bowl in front of me I shall find it'

I arranged her tray so that everything was in the right place for her. Bowl in the centre, spoon on the right and drink on the left. This made her relax and she was soon gulping down her cornflakes like they were going out of fashion. It was at that point that a thought struck me.

How would i feel/react if I just suddenly lost my sight?!

One day you can see. You are able to interact with your environment doing things independently and then all of a sudden you are trapped in this dark place. unable to see what dangers may surround you or if there is an unsuspecting first year student nurse ready to shovel your food into your mouth! It must be the most scariest thing I can imagine happening to me.

I always thought that what ever happens to me physically wouldn't matter as long as I was alive. However, now I do not want to lose any of my senses.