Behind the Shades

It was a sunny 'almost' spring morning when I finally got to meet Michael - a fellow South African colleague living in the States. I rush to get my camera switched on and am welcomed by a warm smile. We are so excited to speak in Afrikaans whilst he tells me how he moved with his wife to America way back when. Michael tells me how he is leading accessibility for our Training globally and half way through the conversation he pauses and asks me... "you know I am blind right?' At that very moment the sun paused for me and I wanted to pinch myself for having assumed unashamedly that Michael could SEE me, but wait, I am sure he saw my raw soul...

"You can't lock a sunbeam in the dark". Fynn, Mister God, this is Anna

This was Michael, a sunbeam shedding light in a world where people often need a 'Michael' to remind them they don't need permission to start living their best lives. Michael has a BS Degree in Computer Science; qualified as a Microsoft Certified Windows engineer; Certified Oracle DBA; Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (both accessibility core competencies and Web accessibility specialist) from the International Association of Accessibility professionals (IAAP); He has trained as a blind learner using braille as a medium (printed braille and digital Braille displays), He uses Screen readers, proctors and what else and now ensures our AWS training courses consider accessibility requirements.

My eyes opened for the gift of one of the rare AHA moments we get in life... So often have I allowed obstacles to stand in my way of living and learning, and so often have I forgotten to pause, to breathe in and out, and to take a minute or two or ten to stand in the shoes of fellow humans, and to look thru the colour of the lenses of the person I do not understand, in order to see further, wider through the shades of beautiful colour. How often do we close our eyes to reach into our souls and to listen to the high notes within us?

“in the dark you have to describe yourself. In the daylight other people describe you.” Fynn, Mister God, this is Anna.

One of the richest experiences I've had whilst working in Ghana, was spending time with our visually impaired TV presenter, Paul - he was only able to distinguish between light and dark. However, Paul SAW me, he would be PRESENT, living in the MOMENT. He would light up when he hears my voice and would tell me excitedly about their new born baby! Every day I spoke with him before we would switch on the cameras for another studio recording, he would tell me how grateful he was that his child was able to see! There were so many Ghanaian people struggling with their eyesight. A special spot in my heart was formed, especially with the knowing that the risk of losing your eyesight is very real with the autoimmune disease my siblings and I have.

It was fascinating to experience the humble journey of the blind as we would gear up for the Corporate Run between E-TV Ghana and Japan Motors to support the blind. 1000s of runners would pitch up together with their guide runners, and there I would be, not having worn my trainers in months... Today I can smile because the shutters of my eyes are opening up, I am so excited and grateful to be given this opportunity to soak up the life lessons I'm learning from these giants who have crossed my path. I am so forever grateful for this second chance in life!

“The sun is nice but it lights things up so much that you can't see very far... The night time is better. It stretches your soul to the stars.” Fynn, Mister God, this is Anna.

I will journey together with Michael and his colleagues as we endeavor to learn to understand more about creating accessible content, subtitles and sign language for videos, descriptions for images and so much more. More over, I have the most incredible opportunity to expose my 7 year old miracle boy to the wonder of gratitude to be able to see. We have ordered a Braille for beginners book, to stand 'if only in a very small way', in the shoes of these giants.

As I looked up a few facts, like "800 million people struggle in this world due to a lack of eye sight" International Eye Foundation, I saw you can also donate through Amazon Smile when you use the Amazon App to support the International Eye Foundation. Nice!