06/15/2026
This week, I had the privilege of stepping into a very different world.
As part of my Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) certification program, I spent a week in Ruston, Louisiana completing the live portion of my Orientation & Mobility class.
For several days, I relied on skills other than sight to navigate the world around me.
I learned to use the warmth of the sun to determine direction, the breeze alongside buildings to maintain my path, the texture changes between concrete and asphalt, the drop of a curb, the sound of traffic, the echo of buildings, and even the hum of an air conditioner or fountain machine to help orient myself.
I crossed busy streets using traffic patterns, walked alongside roads with 18-wheelers, crossed railroad tracks by feeling the steel beneath my cane, and learned techniques as simple—and surprisingly challenging—as pouring my own fountain drink without spilling it.
I'll be honest: it was exhausting.
It was also frightening.
There were moments when I became disoriented in parking lots, got stuck in corners, and nearly stepped into traffic. Those moments gave me just a tiny glimpse into the courage required to navigate the world without vision.
But something unexpected happened.
The fear slowly gave way to confidence.
What felt impossible on day one began to feel achievable by the end of the week.
And that is exactly why programs like these matter.
The real champions are the individuals who are blind or visually impaired and choose independence every single day. Organizations like the Louisiana Center for the Blind dedicate themselves to teaching the skills, confidence, and mindset that make that independence possible.
I left Ruston exhausted, sunburned, humbled, and inspired.
Most importantly, I left with an even deeper belief in the power of teaching skills that create independence.
