This blog is the result of an insulin shot that I got on Sunday, the 28th February 2010. This is not the regular insulin that is administered to balance sugar levels in the body but a special one. With the blog titled SOS and insulin you might think I am going to write a story of distress and timely help. Well...not really.
I heard about this Car Rally for the Visually Impaired last week and felt that I must take part in it to give something to the society - Few hours of my time, that's all - Note these words underlined carefully.
I asked my sister & brother in law and they instantly agreed to be there as well. When we reached the venue on Saturday evening for registration and driver's briefing, we saw a gathering of over 150 people out which 60-70% were visually impaired. They were the Navigators who were eagerly waiting to be assigned to the car owners. What amazed me was the fact that navigators had more questions than the drivers (us) during the "Driver's briefing". That just described their ENTHUSIASM.
We finally got our Navigator - Peer Mohammed and introduced ourselves. He lives about 60 Km away from the venue and had come there with his two little children Yasmeen (7) and Shahul (5) to participate in this event for the first time. He teaches History for 9th grade students in a regular school and loves to hear music and play chess with his daughter (Yes, he can play chess). We were mighty impressed with his talents when we went on a trial run in our car the same evening with a sample route map on braille. When we returned to the venue, it was 7.30pm and I was worried about them reaching home so late. He said "Don't you worry Sir, we will find our way to the DMS bus station and then from there take a bus ride back home". My eye brows remained raised looking at the CONFIDENCE as they walked away bidding farewell and all excited to meet the next day at 9AM.
At Savera hotel Chennai, it was like a carnival on 28th February 2010. Cheer girls flagging of 81 cars one after another at 1 minute intervals, we waited patiently for our turn - Number 48. The mission was to complete the rally covering distance of 65.1 Km without getting lost within specified time. This time Peer Mohammed did not have sample sheet like the previous evening. It was a BRAILLE BOOK.
We lost our way very early in the rally but soon learnt that we had to TRUST in our Navigator and re-assigned roles more clearly. Mohammed reads the book, I jot down in a note pad and guide Badri (my BIL) who was driving. I had the additional responsibility of being the mathematical member of the team. With a calculator in the other hand, I had to update Badri if we were ahead or behind time according to the distance covered in order for him to work his speed limit. Preetha (my sister), Yasmeen and Shahul would keep their eyes open to spot the Marshals. We had to obtain the Marshall's signatures attesting the route and time taken to reach every spot. Its difficult to describe theEXCITEMENT, FUN AND TEAMWORK. It took us 3 hours and 15 min (Approx) to return and we were quite positive about winning having done reasonably well except the beginning.
Being the second runner up in the Novice Category, we were the first to be called on stage to receive the Prize from Ms. Shivashankari (the famous Tamil author of many best selling books). A proud moment for all of us.
As I had mentioned in my tweets and Facebook it was not about winning. There were so many lessons to take away. . Let me share with you some insights:
1. Immediately after Mohammed was assigned as our navigator, I went and spoke to Ms. Dipti Bhatia who is visually impaired & involved in organizing the event. I asked her if she could share a few tips with us because we genuinely wanted to give our navigator a real good experience. Her reply: "Don't worry, Mohammed will give you a good experience". I could see CONFIDENCE PERSONIFIED when she said that. We truly got it as well.
2. Every time I saw these people crossing me, there was no element of doubt in taking the next step while walking - Again, I could see "Self Confidence".
3. When we catch a cold or fever, we create so much of self pity. In fact there have been times, when I have refrained from walking up to the kitchen for a glass of water waiting for someone to bring it to my bedside while I was sick. Ridiculous - Isn't it?. These individuals are completely independent and have very high self esteem.
4. I saw humility in each one of them despite extra ordinary talents. One of Mohammed's friends who we got to know is well versed with computers. Ha gave us his e-mail ID so that we could stay in touch. Yes, there is a software that guides them. When we saw them keying in our telephone numbers into their mobiles, we were in complete admiration at the speed and dexterity. No mistakes, not one.
5. One of the visually challenged friends during the speech said, "Normal people try not to make mistakes, we cant and we don't" and deservingly there was a thunderous applause to that statement.
6. There was another strong lesson - Let's admit that we are too quick to form opinions about people based on looks, skin color, hair style, dress etc. All the visually challenged friends whom we interacted with were always smiling, pleasant and spoke to us in a way that commanded respect and they certainly deserve it.
Can you imagine my thinking before even taking part that I was giving my time? In reality, it was these wonderful people who gave me their time and taught me so much. It is this special insulin dosage that I mentioned at the startwhich has added more balance to my thinking and life. I called this blog sos because what I witnessed at the event was indeed SOS - "Summit Of Self-confidence".
Delight yourself first to delight people around you. Most importantly, make you choice, NOW!
