A Helping Hand By Bahzad

My name is Bahzad. I am seventeen years old, and I attend Lincoln Park High School. I am in the Visually Impaired program, so as you might have guessed, I am blind. I was actually born blind, with Leber's Congenital Amaurosis, which is a life long disease that will not change. I am mainstreamed in all my classes, with the exception of the VI classroom. I use a cane, Braille Note, braille books, and a daisy reader, to help me throughout my schooling.

Like everyone else, I have my strong points and my week points. Languages, as well as creative writing, are among my strong points. Math and Science, are among my week points. Unfortunately, Mobility is also one of the subjects that I just cannot grasp. I am good with getting around indoors, but put me outside, and you could really say that my eyes are closed! Traveling outdoors can be a challenge, whether your visually impaired, sighted, or even in a wheel chair. It is great to know, that something is there to help us travel throughout our neighborhoods, parks, streets, etc.

When I heard about this contest, I went on the Internet, to learn more about the amazing system that is the GPS Trekker. When I listened to an audio sample, I was very impressed at what it could accomplish. I knew straightaway, that this would come in handy, no matter where I go. In order to get to school, I take a taxi. Some drivers just do not know where to go, which makes me a little nervous. I cannot really tell him or her exactly where to go, because the route changes almost every year.

When I was in ninth grade, I tried to write some directions down, using my Braille Note. If I had a GPS Trekker, then all my worries would vanish into the clouds! Sixth period is when I go to Mrs. Canzoneri's room. Mrs. Canzoneri is my VI teacher. My Mobility teacher comes on Tuesday's and Thursday's, to take either my friend or I to Mobility. Sometimes, she takes us together. She comes sixth period, and before she does, I am slightly nervous. Well, actually, that is a bit of an understatement. My mind contemplates all the scenarios that might happen on that day's lesson. Even when the anxiety is over, and the ride on the roller coaster of emotions is at an end, the aftermath of the whole lesson is not pleasant to endure. I always wish that I could be better in navigating my way throughout the world.

It is nice to know, that there are people to help you if you are in need, but to always rely on them, is not the best feeling in the universe. When I was younger, I relied on many people to do various things for me. As the years passed by, and as I grew older, I could feel that I was making a mistake. Now, thanks to my teacher and my parents, I am more independent, and well, more free. If I get the GPS Trekker, then I would be one step closer to the key of success, and the door to a successful future. In two years, I will be going to college, and hopefully, getting a good job in journalism, or some other field in writing. I know that in the future, I will have to travel to many different places. Suppose that I am meeting my friends at Macdonald's for breakfast. It is a nice day outside, so I decide to walk. True I can map quest the directions, but what if they were not precise? I could get lost, and I might arrive at the restaurant by lunch time! What if, for some reason, my computer is broken, and I need to go to a class? I cannot map quest the information, I do not know my way around campus that much, and my roommate is not present. I would then have to call off, and make up the work later on.

Nobody I know, enjoys doing that. I am no exception. If I enter the information that I need to know on the GPS Trekker, then it will be able to tell me where to go. I could even press a button to see what buildings are near me, get other maps, and more! I use to live on Anthony Street in Dearborn, Michigan. I was very active outside, playing with friends, riding my bike, and even going to their houses. The houses were very close to each other in my neighborhood, so it was easy to get to certain places. It was to my great dismay, that the clock went off like a loud church bell, then it was time for my family and I to move. I was very sad to leave the neighborhood that I once knew and loved. When we came into our knew neighborhood, I knew immediately that it was not the same. First, the street that I live on is very busy. Second, the houses are farther apart than the one's on Anthony Street. Third of all, there are not that many kids, and not a lot of them are my age. This is why I stay inside most of the time. Sometimes, I go outside, sit and swing on the porch swing, and talk to my parents and sister. There use to be a family that I talked to, and interacted with. There children were not as old as I was, but close to my age. They were very kind, and always talked and played with my sister and I. It was all good, until they too moved away.

If I get a GPS Trekker, then I can try once again, to find my wings and fly. Whenever I learn how to do something, such as dialing the phone, or a new word in Spanish, I feel elated. I then know, that I have another weapon to use against fear and helplessness in my arsenal. If I learned how to use the Trekker, and it benefits me, then that is just another sword that I obtained. If you want to face your fears, then all you need is some knowledge, and a helping hand. If I get the Trekker, then it would be one of the hands that will help me swat some of the worries that are clouding my mind away.