At age 35, I consider myself to have been blessed with a life that has already been wonderful beyond all measure. I have had the privilege of acquiring a good education: I graduated from a large, suburban high school and went on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees and a Ph.D. I have been gifted with a tremendous “cheering section” of family and friends.

I have had the privilege of seeing God clearly from a unique vantage point few others are fortunate enough to share. I have never seen the mountains, but can well appreciate the struggle of the climb. When I scan a document in braille, I have the extraordinary sensation of truly being physically touched by the power of words. Listening to a friend reading a text aloud to me, I revel in my narrator’s words. The basic elements of his or her true character inevitably take center stage through the distinct interpretations that spring forth from the tone, quality and inflection of a well-modulated voice. The textures and shapes of stones and seashells, the tides of the ocean, the smell of freshly mowed grass, and the songs of unseen birds fill me with a sense of wonder and mystery. All comprise remarkable pictures of nature that I believe are every bit as vivid to me as are rainbows, skies and sunsets to those who are sighted.

Beyond the Visual

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of living in the nonvisual world is the fact that certain judgments that have become all too commonplace in the everyday lives of most seeing people rarely enter my awareness. I can know an acquaintance for months, have a cup of coffee and sit directly across from that person, or take his or her hand in mine and never have an inkling of the race or ethnicity of the person with whom I am sharing a portion of my life’s journey. “Foreign” accents are simply another element of interesting, nonvisual texture in my auditory landscape.

I will never in my life comprehend the reasons why the mere color of one’s skin or one’s nation of origin has caused barriers to be erected throughout the course of history.

On a daily basis, I rely on others to describe the moon and stars, sun and clouds – things I have never seen but that I know perfectly well are present. And just as I have always taken these elements of nature for granted, so have I also taken for granted the existence of a higher being in the universe. The presence of God is simply one more thing I have never seen but which I can sense in every fiber of my being.

My existence is also devoid of the visual images that often accompany humankind’s concept of God. It is amazing to me that, while we are outwardly visual creatures, gaining about 80 percent of our sensory information by means of sight, we build temples, sing to and about, create religious dogma, and worship a Being we have never seen.

The experience of spirituality in general is one in which we may focus on physical healing, but God heals in other ways also. There is healing of the mind and soul too – a healing from the inside out. Even though I am not what many would call physically healed, I have been healed in other ways and been given so many other gifts. God has healed me by giving me a type of sight – insight.

A Companion and Guide

I have a guide dog named Fern, whom I love dearly. Fern allows me to travel more quickly, more confidently and more safely. Fern is trained to stop at steps and curbs, to cross streets from curb to curb, and to watch for oncoming traffic.

People who raise guide dogs instruct the puppies in basic obedience commands. The dogs are returned to the school at approximately 18 months of age, where they are instructed in “harness commands.” The handler works his or her guide in harness using commands such as left, right, straight and forward. Guide dogs are not expected to memorize routes; instead, the blind handler must be aware of his or her environment at all times and must instruct the dog as to the direction in which it should go.

Although being blind comes with its fair share of trivial inconveniences, and although there is much in the world that will always remain a mystery to me, I can state with complete conviction that I would not trade my life for that of anyone else. To have been bestowed with vision beyond vision is an experience that defies description. I see God clearly, and when it comes right down to it, what more could one truly wish for?

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Kimberly Morrow’s varied interests include knitting, playing piano and dulcimer, singing, herb gardening, swimming, skiing, horseback riding, and creative writing. She holds a master’s degree in Germanic languages and literature and a Ph.D. in educational policy and leadership from the University of Kansas. Kimberly has worked as a German language teacher, grant writer and director of communications for a large nonprofit company. She serves as Communication Specialist for Unity.FM in addition to her work in the Message of Hope department.

Read how the Message of Hope® program is supporting the vision-impaired.

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