THE Guyana Society for the Blind feels that unsighted persons lack access to information that is tailored to suit their needs, and hence organized a two-day workshop to address issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.
The workshop, with about 25 participants from Linden and several parts of Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), opened Tuesday and concluded yesterday at the society’s headquarters on High Street, Georgetown.
The sessions were interactive and provided meaningful opportunities for each person to express his thoughts on the subject at hand. Questions were raised, opinions were offered, and there was much humour in the discussions that dealt with sex.
The participants, some blind, some partially blind, and others suffering other forms of disability, could have been perceived as intelligent persons making the best possible use of their present circumstances.
Happiness and joy could be seen on their faces, and warm smiles brightened many faces.
Nazim Hussain, from the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) conducted the sessions and asked the participants at one point who or what would be the first thing or person that they would like to see if they regained their sight.
One person said he would like to see himself again; another father; and yet another mother.
Another participant, Oliver Kerr, 30, said because of the world’s “funny state” right now, he would prefer not to see anything in it. The instructor told him at least he would spare himself from seeing the garbage around Georgetown but he responded that he would still be able to smell it. They all laughed at this.
Another participant, Gordon Sandiford, 24, said glaucoma caused his partial blindness and that he has learnt to accept the situation, otherwise he might have entertained thoughts of suicide.
Hussain asked the participants whether or not any risks were associated with homosexuality, oral and anal sex, condom use, deep kissing, using a public toilet, exposure to mosquitoes, caring for someone with the virus, having sex with a sex worker, and drinking from a glass that was used by an HIV positive person.
Lavena Mc Bean, who was an active participant, strongly condemned anal sex and expressed how wrong she thought it was.
The Society’s Project Coordinator, Mr. Ganesh Singh, who is also blind, told reporters that disabled persons are more vulnerable due to lack of information. The society therefore approached NAPS and planned the workshop.
He described the programme as edifying to all in attendance, and related that the intention is to develop a NAPS module and make it into a more accessible format.
Speaking with the media also was Hussain who related that he was stunned at the performance by the participants. He said they are able to relate together in groups and come up with very good work.
“They’re a bunch that wants to learn and we’re trying to reduce stigma and discrimination as it relates to HIV/AIDS. It’s a good group,” he said.