Someone I met today was blind. I was practicing demos with my team today, and I saw Kayte pop in with a man following her. My brain scanned through a million different profiles of people I know through Kayte that would follow her so closely. When I saw that he was holding her elbow, I knew that it was someone unfamiliar to her.

"Hey Maxx, I have someone who might need your help."

I knew immediately he couldn't see me. He was tall, but the slight hunch in his back. He wore tinted that concealed his eyes, but as he shifted the weight of his backpack, I could see the milky cataract that concealed his left pupil. Although his skin was already tanned, you could tell that it was weathered by the sun.

"Are you who I speak to today?"
"Yes."
"Do I set my computer here?"
"Uh... No. There's a table we can use elsewhere."
"Can you show me?"

He reached out, and I gave him my hand, not knowing what was appropriate in this situation. He instinctively guided himself to my elbow. I lead him to a tall table that I would take normal customers to. He patted the stool.

"Is this the table?"
"Oh... No. Let me show you."

I took his hand once more and helped him feel the table.

"You can sit if you want to."
"Oh ok. I normally don't sit on chairs like this. It's a stool isn't it?"
"Yeah it is."

He proceeded to take his computer out of his bag and tried to open it. I corrected for him as he chuckled, muttering he must have put it upside down.

"I need help. My JAWS software isn't working, and I was told that I might need to start Windows over."
"Alright. Well... It seems like it's not booting into the OS, so I need a technician to take a look at it. But it won't be till an hour from now. Is that ok?"
"Sure."

I proceeded to take his information down, having him guide me through the spelling. I suppose the store was loud, as he asked if I typed his email. I did, he just couldn't hear me typing.

"You have an hour wait, did you want to wait here."
"I think I'm going to eat, can you show me to the front of the store?"

This time, I put his hand on my elbow and walked him to the front of the store. I couldn't imagine navigating this with his walking pole.

"Is there any food on this floor?"
"Hm... No not really."
"I smell it."
"Well... There's a burger place upstairs and a couple other things, but there's a food court downstairs too."
"Can you show me to the elevator?"

By this time, I was an expert in showing him around. As we walked, I asked him what he usually does with his computer. It was simple, easy stuff; checking his email or writing papers. He used a special scanner to help him read. I led him to the elevator and placed his hands on the elevator buttons.

"Are you going to have a hard time finding your way back?"
"It'll be alright, I can find someone to help me."

Someone did guide him back later, which was good to see. It was crazy to see someone who had an obvious disability so willing to continue living outside and doing things for himself. At the same time, I felt a little sad. To have to rely on someone for so many seemingly simple things. With the lack of a someone, he relies on his senses to get around.

I wonder if he feels embarrassed asking for help.. But then again, in the course of one day, 3 people helped him: Kayte, me, and one gentleman who brought him back. People are kind too, and maybe he knows that and either takes advantage of it... Or trusts that people do the right thing.

I'd guess it's the latter. I'm more amazed at the courage it takes to trust people that you can't see. Visual judgment is the first thing people use to assess risk, and that is completely eliminated for him. That's just really... amazing.