Today, someone tried to snatch my glasses from my face because they wanted to see how ”bad my eyes were.
And it just reminded me of all the ‘good times’ that were peculiar to me just because I was born with less than perfect eyesight.
‘How many fingers am I raising?’
Having to wait till people are not looking to bring things close to your eyes so you can read what is written on them.
My mother pointing vaguely in one direction and saying ”bring me that thing.”
Having to calculate the perfect distance from the television that still allowed me see what was happening and not chop slap for sitting ”too close.”
Having to chop slap because you don’t recognize people even though you’ve met them several times.
Learning to recognize people by their voices instead of their faces.
Chopping punishment because you can’t really tell when your clothes are dirty.
Daydreaming in class because you can’t see the blackboard.
Having to guard everybody’s slippers when they are playing football, because blind Bartemaeus.
Or wait on the ground and catch the mangoes when everyone goes tree climbing.
When after years of denial, you finally admit to yourself, ”I’m blind oh!”
And after everyone ignores your complaints, the eye doctor finally confirms it.
Shebi I was saying it?
And then they give you your first pair of glasses.
New life!
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