Have you ever tried to live without basic functions of the body? Have you ever experienced something absolutely unforgettable? ESN Joensuu gave us this opportunity for one dark evening. – Aleksandra Stalmach, text & Pasi Huttunen, illustration
Even today I still think about what I learned and how unfair life can be. ESN Joensuu prepared a Dinner in the dark, a three course meal provided with special sunglasses simulating blindness. The event took place in Saunatila Suvas in Joensuu on Thursday 26th of March at 6 PM.
The main purpose was to increase a sensibility towards people with disabilities and raise some money for charity. The meeting was quite relaxing but it forced me to think about living with disabilities. It is not a real blindness that we experienced but it was such an unique situation of using other senses: touching, hearing and smelling. It was a perfect mix of having fun and helping disabled people in one moment. Experience of eating Dinner in the dark cannot be compared with a real disability. All the time we were conscious that it was only a temporary situation. Actually there were a few people to serve us. In real life people with disabilites have to deal with everything without this kind of support. This thought makes me really scared but on the same time I am full of admiration toward the blind people.
”In real life people with disabilites have to deal with everything without this kind of support. This thought makes me really scared but on the same time I am full of admiration toward the blind people.”
I heard the speech of a blind girl at the event. She is a visually impaired student of the computer sciences. She said that there was a moment that she was feeling really sad and shocked but later it became better. According to her words, human beings can adapt to every situation. Our bodies can find the way to live without even the basic functions and senses. She emphasized the important role of her parents whose support helps to deal with everyday problems.
The atmosphere was charming, there were funny games like guessing what is in the bag – of course in the darkness and with sunglasses. There was one volunteer per each table and almost all of them guessed what was prepared for them. Moreover, Pablo Guillerna Franco – President of ESN Joensuu – described plans and events concerning working with disabled people – such as integration and education. It is undoubtedly one of the most important tasks for ESN.
Such an incredible event should be repeated in the future.