Enjoying TV, Movies and Plays without Sight

When I mention having ‘watched’ a movie at home or having gone to a movie or a show at the theatre, I am frequently asked why I bother if I can’t see what is happening. I suppose it would seem pointless to spend the money to go to the movies or the theatre for some, but I enjoy doing many of the same things others like to do, I just have to find ways to adapt.

For instance, when we watch movies at home, mom usually watches it first. Then when we watch it together, she can tell me what is happening without missing portions of the movie herself. Once I know the voices of the main characters, I can usually figure out things, except for the times of silence or the visual scenes. That’s when mom describes them. There is also a Descriptive Movie service where you can purchase movies that have a person who describes the scenes for you. The movies are about twice the amount, but well worth it if it is a movie you really enjoy, or an extremely visual one. We did buy one movie that we found had the descriptive service already on it, ‘The Road to Perdition’ with Tom Hanks, but it is the only one we have found.

Many of the theatres are beginning to accommodate the blind, and the hearing impaired as well. Where we live, if you go to a musical or play, the theatre provides headphones in the first two rows. When you put them on, a person describes the scenes to you. That way, you don’t interrupt the people around you if you have someone else tell you what is happening.

The movie theatres are a different story. There are a few ‘descriptive’ theatres around the country. I believe there may be one in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but there aren’t many. That theatre plays movies with the person describing the scenes to you. When mom and I go to the movies, we usually go to one that I have already read the book, like Lord of the Rings, Eragon, or the Golden Compass. When we went to see Lord of the Rings, I knew more about what was happening than mom did because I had read the books. Once I knew the voices, I was telling her what was going on.

You would really be surprised at the ways you can adapt things to fit any situation. And just because I can’t see it, doesn’t mean I don’t want to experience. Even though I cannot see the sun, I can feel it on my face. And even though I cannot see the grass, I can smell it in the air.

Until next time, take good care of yourself, try to stay safe, and try not to take anything for granted.