essaysexton

							John Sexton - 41 years
UK - RNIB
1,001 words


Essay: Idealism

  The sun shined brightly through the slight crack in the loosely
drawn curtains leaving a staggered thin stream of light lay across
the bed. As I moved my legs the light seemed to dance as if on
water. Reaching out for the Braille clock placed on the bedside
cabinet, running my finger tips over the smooth raised dots reading
"eight am, Monday 23rd April". As I stretched I thought what a
wonderful morning it was then got washed, dressed and made my
way to the kitchen.

 While filling the kettle with water from the tap, the paper boy had
put the Daley Braille newspaper through my letterbox. I switched
the kettle on, took a coffee cup from the rack then while checking
the Braille label on the coffee canister took the lid off and placed a
spoon full of coffee in the cup. Turning I went and collected the
paper from the hallway and browsed through the headlines. The
kettle switched itself off, and then I pored a black coffee. Sat at
the kitchen table, where I'd left my small digital Braille diary and
checked the day’s tasks. I Read a little more news from the paper
drank my coffee then placed the diary in my jacket pocket and the
paper under my left arm before heading out for the supermarket.

 It was indeed a lovely warm sunny morning and children were
walking by talking about their Braille class and the fun games they
play learning to read and write Braille. It was taught to everyone,
as was signing.

  As I came out the front door, cheerful Charley and his guide dog
Harry noticed me, "Here you go George, a box for you", in the
most cheerful voice, "hope its something nice" he said. I reached
my hands out and Charley placed a small box into them as Harry
took the moment to take a little sneaky sniff and then Charley
turned saying "Have a great day, come Harry, lots more to see", I
said "thanks" and put it inside before closing the door.
  The Braille address label said it was from Northward, I knew from
this it was the new gadget I'd been waiting for. I walked up my
garden path closing the gate behind brushing my hand over the
Braille sign on the gatepost saying 802 Autumn Way and the post
code.

 Now sweeping my white Cain side to side, gently touching the
slight ridge near the road edge of the pavement, I made my way
up the street towards the small supermarket.

  Approaching the main entrance of the supermarket, I brushed my
fingers over the sign saying "this way for Morrison’s...” my Cain
bubbled over the bumps before crossing the car park area then
reaching the very smooth tiled floor of the main entrance.

 Walking in the store, which was just starting to fill with early
shoppers, I passed through the automatic gates where the Braille
sign says "hand baskets are to the right", where I picked a basket
up from. The paper that was under my arm now rested in the
bottom of the basket.

  Making my way towards the ready made sandwiches and soft
drinks. I used the shop frequently so didn't need the Braille guide,
that I found so helpful when I was new to the area.

  Getting close, I began running my fingers lightly along the shelf's
edge where Braille labels listed the items placed on them, until I
found the BLT sandwiches I was looking for. There were plenty
there, freshly made and stacked only a short while before I got
there. Placing one into my basket, I then moved further down the
aisle where soft drinks were and found a bottle of orange. This too
I placed into the basket and proceeded over to the self-service tills.

  It was easy to find, as there were tactile markings on the floor and
Braille sign posts every so often. Once there, I used the automatic
scanner to read the barcode which I found just below the Braille
label of each item. Doing so, the thing would beep and the digital
Braille display would say what the items were, its cost and the total
cost so far.

 After scanning the two items, I pressed to pay by card, placed my
card in the slot and entered my pin. The Braille display said
"payment accepted" and I removed my card collected my bag of
shopping and made my way to the train station.

  There were old wooden doors at our local train station and to
both the left and right of these, a little above waste height, was the
Braille sign reading "Sunnyside Station, 465 Station Road...” I
knew the station well and made my way straight to the Braille
announcement board. Placing my hand on the top, I read "next
London train leaves from platform 3 at 08:45". I checked the time
on the top right of the board which said "08:38" and made my way
to platform three.

 I passed through the station gates, swiping my rail pass and
checked the Braille display to make sure it took the card correctly;
these gates sometimes had trouble some mornings. Walked over
to the train, checking the Braille on each door looking for "car four",
as this put me right beside the exit the other end and pushed the
open button, got on and found a seat close to the door.

 I sat down placing my lunch between my feet in the Morrison’s
bag and reached inside taking out the Daley Braille newspaper to
read while thinking to myself, how hard it must of been for my
father when Braille was scarce and getting around by yourself was
more challenging. I then thought how it must have been before
Luis Braille devised Braille and how difficult it must have been
back then. The sun was still shining, I smiled a little and thought
"yes, it is a wonderful day, it is a wonderful world!”