April 2005 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

in the Young Women presidency; Rebekah Jakeman, second
counselor in the Young Women presidency; and Mary
Jo Thorpe, teacher improvement coordinator.
This group prefers the term blind to the widely used
visually impaired. They recognize that there may be
varying degrees of vision loss, but in practical terms,
blind is the daily reality they live with.
“I consider blindness an inconvenience,” says Jeff
Pearcy. He stresses that if you have the tools of the task,
you can do the job. For example, he teaches cooking at
the center for the blind. His students learn to use ordinary
ingredients in ordinary packages and the same
kitchen appliances used by any other cook. The only
concession to blindness is the braille labels on some
cans and packages.
Likewise, Brian Dulude says, a blind member
who seeks the companionship of the Holy Ghost
can do everything in the Church that anyone
else can do. “The Holy Ghost will help you
accomplish whatever you are called to do.”
In that spirit, Brother Dulude teaches the
students at the center for the blind how to
maneuver around obstacles as they travel
through life. He teaches “Orientation and
Mobility”—cane travel—by literally taking
to the streets, coaching students to find
ways to get past physical obstacles they
meet. “I teach students to solve problems.
When they get through,” he says,
“they’ll know Ruston pretty well, but
Far left:
they’ll also be able to go back home
Rebekah
and learn their way around there.”
Jakeman
Rebekah Jakeman, who was Brother practices cane
Dulude’s pupil, describes some of the travel, with
techniques a blind person using a long instructor Brian
cane masters to get around obstacles. Dulude trailing.
She points out that in crossing a
street it is possible to feel the crown a radial arm saw.
of the roadway and know when
Dark goggles
you have passed the center. It is prevent students at
possible to feel water or other
the Center for the
kinds of surfaces and know what Blind from relying on
you are approaching. The cane any residual sight.
becomes an extension of the Right: Wayne Pearcy
physical senses.
practices his trumpet.
Top: Rebekah uses
PHOTOGRAPH BY KYLE ANDERSON
ENSIGN APRIL 2005 51