g senses. When told that the blind do many things well and
quickly by employing methods different than those who see, the
information comes as a shock, when it is not entirely discredited. There
is an idea prevalent among so-called well informed men and women that a
loss of eyesight carries with it a loss of mental vigor, and a total
inability to engage in any of the world's work. This belief, and the
many foolish notions which it breeds, presents one of the greatest
difficulties to be met, and, if possible, overcome, by the blind man or
woman obliged to earn a livelihood. So potent is eyesight considered
that, without it, some people think it impossible to perform even the
simplest duties, and the person obliged to substitute fingers for eyes,
and memory for pad and pencil is regarded as a marvel of intelligence
and skill, and as possessing a sixth sense. Anything done by the blind,
from recognizing a voice to remembering a street number, is considered
wonderful by the average person, and this attitude is very trying to the
blind adult who is striving to adjust himself to new conditions, and
train his remaining faculties to the highest possible degree of
efficiency. The commiseration and incredulous words of his friends is
one of the greatest trials which the blind adult is called upon to bear,
and it is not strange that he is often embittered and discouraged, and
unwilling to subject himself to the thoughtless comments and undisguised
pity of his former associates. These associates do not realize that
their attitude has changed or that they are adding another burden to the
already heavy load borne by their friend. They are sorry, honestly
sorry, and want so much to help, but to their minds blindness is the
greatest of all afflictions, and loss of eyesight is accompanied by a
corresponding loss of physical ability and mental vigor, unless the
person so afflicted is unusually gifted, and, in that case, he is
regarded as the marvel of the age. Unfortunately, the percentage of
gifted people is no greater among the blind than among the seeing, and
so it is not strange that many of the former class are unable to cope
with the difficulties and discouragements that blindness entails, when
thousands of seeing people succumb to what they consider the unequal
struggle for existence. As a class I honestly believe that blind people
are more courageous than seeing people, and I am sure that a greater
demand is made upon their stock o