Blindness can be confusing to explain and to understand. My youngest son is legally blind with about 5 degrees of sight and uses a cane and Braille. However when he’s on a wide open beach he runs full speed, drops his skimboard, and slides out to the waves. How? Maybe because he was skimming at the age of 3 when he had full sight and utilizes muscle memory? Maybe because of the lighting, his orientation to the ocean or pattern of the waves? Maybe because he feels in tune with the ocean and free? We can’t explain it in simple terms or in short sound bites, and we are his family, so I understand how blindness can seem confusing to outsiders. But here’s what you need to know: @kai.owens does his absolute best in every situation — and so do MILLIONS of other blind and visually impaired people. So next time you encounter a B/VI person be brave, step out of your comfort zone — say “hi” and take a moment to chat. I promise that blind and sighted people are more alike than different. #NavigatingBlindness #Brave #BlindAthlete #JustSayHi #MoreAlikeThanDifferent #Blind
Access: 2 pictures in a collage from recent beach trips. Top 4 guys standing together in front of a seafood restaurant. Kai is holding his long cane. Bottom image, Kai is running full speed about to skim out to the waves.
