By Martha Taumata Faavae
Blind people may not see the bright lights of Christmas or the many other sights to be excited about in preparations for the Holy Birth, but they are not missing out in anything.
The President of the Nuanua Society for special needs, Mataafa Ms. Fuatino Utumapu, made that point as a blind person and how they respond to the celebrations of Christmas.
“ We may not see what is going on but all our other senses are working normal like a healthy person who is not blind,” Mataafa made clear.
“We don’t feel sad or angry at people who are enjoying the celebrations more than us because they can see but we don’t.
“The truth is, we may not see what is happening, but we feel the spirit of Christmas and are as happy as a seeing person.”
Mataafa’s leadership in the blind community stands out beyond the insight into the celebration of Baby Jesus in a few days time.
What she offers is a deeper understanding that the blind is a normal person in literally every sense except they cannot see.
When they are treated otherwise then it is an injustice they suffer unfairly.
“We too hold Christmas and New Year parties every year, we set up our Xmas tree with the help of our non blind friends.
‘We are led around the decorations on our tree and wherever we are and the scenery around are described to us, but you will not hear a blind person yearn to see so they can be more appreciative of what they cannot see.”
Mataafa feels strongly indebted to the overwhelming care and love by families of the blind but added that at the same time too they also contribute where they can.
She felt that when it comes to family chores the blind are assigned to what they can do and usually do much better than a seeing person.
‘When we first learnt of the COVID-19 we worried it would spread to Samoa, we were certain it would be easier for us to pick up the coronavirus.
“We do depend on our families for other things we are unable to do on our own.”
The Nuanua ole Alofa leader reluctantly admitted the times when they would wish they can see the beauty of the world or the members of their families.
But the sins of temptations are overpowering enough to make them grateful they are not being lured by what they see.
The talk of Apia with the Festival of Lights transforming the night into a rainbow of colours and light is not lost on the blind.
“The Festival of Lights is great and we’re not in the least sad or disappointed we are missing out.
“All that has been said and described about how Apia is transformed into a sea of lights at night is enough for us to picture and enjoy it the same as a seeing person.”
Faith in God is a solid, unmovable rock in the heart of the blind community. Mataafa makes that very obvious as a special blessing being born blind.
“There are those who say the blind should not move around too much or they will stumble and fall but to us we believe that nothing is impossible with God.
“If Jesus was born blind like me I would be very happy. Blind people are capable of doing the same as a seeing person because of our faith in God.”
Mataafa went on to offer Christmas wishes as well.
“Let me take this opportunity to wish our friends, partners and the whole of Samoa a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”