Category Archives: The Blind Side

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I Want to Lead the Blind, Not Be the Blind

This is the first of a five part blog series post meant to encourage you to think deeper about Scripture. I know these posts are not the traditional “bloggy” kind of writing, but it is true to my style and approach in studying God’s Word. Come take a walk with me through God’s word.

Wanna go to Bethsaida with me? There is someone there I want to observe and learn from. He is blind. So, for the next few blogs, I am just going to read his story and meditate upon what he is telling me from centuries past. It’ll be kinda like thinking out loud. So I want to know your thoughts, too.

I invite you to come with me and give your observations too! Let’s learn from each other.

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The Two Biggest Frustrations of Blind People, and What You Can Learn From It

My friend Bill was helping me with some computer training when that nagging “update” message showed up. So, while we waited, we chatted. He mentioned how dealing with computers requires patience and being blind and dealing with computers require even more!

Because he’d done computer training for lots of blind people for many years, he told me how he’d observed that each one deals with lots of frustration and it isn’t just because of computers; it’s because of the maddening trappings of blindness.

I asked Bill if he could summarize their frustration. His response was quick and I must say, accurate.

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How Do I Cope With a Disability?

Spill The BeansHi Jennifer,

I have admired your wonderful outlook with a disability, and that it does not hinder your walk with others or with God personally. I led a Bible study in my home with many ladies using your video studies.  They were so wonderful. Now I am experiencing something new.  I was recently diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a rare vocal disorder that inhibits my speech.  I am not able to speak. This is a great hindrance to my daily life. I’m just trying to cope with it and thought I would write to you for any advice you may have for me, as I now also have a disability.

Delisa

ANSWER:

Hi Delisa,

I’m so sorry to hear of this new difficulty you are facing! Oh girl, I don’t have any profound advice…. I just walk by faith and trust God more than my feelings when it comes to this kind of thing. The main thing that came to mind when I asked God for any specific word for you was this – be patient with yourself and be patient with God. He will grant you grace for your present moment, so don’t worry about your future or pine away for the past. He will carry you through this….

Keep trusting, sister.

Jennifer

What would you say to my sister Delisa? Leave a comment here.

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How Can I Possibly Rejoice in My Suffering?

Spill The Beans

Dear Jennifer,

I have been reading your book, Lessons I Learned in the Dark, and you say that one should rejoice in their suffering.  All I seem to do is get frustrated and depressed.  I have the same trials day in and day out–people making fun of me or dismissing me because they see I have a disability.

I feel that I always have to prove myself to everybody, even though I have become a success.  As you say in your book, I have become very independent, but I feel isolated.  I feel that socially; I have not experienced what others have experienced at my age.  I try to pray, but feel I make little progress.  Your book makes it seem this whole thing has been a pretty smooth ride for you, with a few bumps in the road, in which you are able to conquer most everything.

Thank you, Wendi

Jennifer’s Answer

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Dance of Light

I love it when someone is able to help others gain understanding.

I think this unique artist, JD Lewis, has done just that. Though he is now blind due to Retinitis Pigmentosa, this acrylic painting he created along his journey into darkness remains as an interesting illustration of the many stages of sight loss.

He captures the “dance of light” that occurs when he tries to focus.

I, of course, can’t see his painting, but based on his description, it sounds like he painted exactly what goes on in my eyes too.