The Hope support group for the Blind and Visually Impaired shared personal stories about the daily challenges and successes of navigating life with a disability at the Orchards Family Success Center on July 8.
Joshuhonor Spencer, the support group facilitator, was surrounded by fellow members at a table in the community center’s workshop room. Spencer guided the discussion with a series of questions that each person in attendance had the opportunity to answer. Group members who were unable to attend in person sat in on the meeting via Zoom.
The support group has been in existence for almost a year and meets the second Wednesday of every month at the community center.
Spencer stated that she hopes to create a sense of community and help build awareness since there are very few groups and events such as the one she facilitates for the blind and visually impaired.
“I do think the community lacks the knowledge of people who are visually impaired, whether in hospitals, doctor facilities, even in some schools,” she explained. “I’ve dealt with it personally, even in Sicklerville.”
As a visually impaired person, Spencer has encountered many situations when she was treated unkindly by people who lacked understanding or empathy toward her. Because of this, she felt compelled to create a safe space for others like herself.
“This is something I feel that I wanted to do that’s always been in my heart to do,” Spencer said. “Because it’s not talked about in the community and there’s no knowledge about it.”
“When they think of the blind, they think of someone with sunglasses on and with a cane, but we’re more than that,” she continued.
“We’re actually people, we go to work, we have children, we have jobs, we live our lives.”
Support group member Adam Bailey shares Spencer’s sentiments.
“I cling to the idea of the wounded healer, and people that are going through what you’re going through,” Bailey said. “It’s always a benefit to be able to sit and fellowship and talk and gain wisdom from their experience.”
Bailey acknowledges that everyone is at a different stage in their personal journey, and those who are further along can help others find their way.
“You walk out of here a little better than you walk in every time,” he stated.
