Story
From the 6th to the 9th of December this year, I am going to be blindfolded, to create the effect of being blind. During that time, I intend to carry out as much of a normal life as possible. Things that I don't even think about, such as finding my toothbrush, or navigating my music device, or even walking down the street, will become a challenge.
I do this for two reasons. The first reason is because this year, I was lucky not to be blind, in one eye at least. At the stroke of midnight, a firework zoomed up close and personal, and struck me between the eyes. Luckily, all I was left with was a scab that resembled a bindi, and a renewed sense of how precious and important something as simple as seeing is. By being blindfolded, I hope to come to 'see' what it may have been like if the firework had hit me two centimetres to the left.
The second reason is why I am contacting you. I am raising funds for AMBER*, a UK based charity that gives blind kids a way to music, providing music therapy, music lessons, and musical instruments. For a blind person, sound becomes the most important and sensitive sense, and encouraging the development of this is a great thing. Think of Ray Charles, think of Stevie Wonder... AMBER could help to bring forth some serious talent. When you donate through this site, the money goes directly to the charity, and if you are a taxpayer, you can gift-aid your donation too... basically, this means the tax will be returned by the government, increasing your donation by 28% at no extra cost to you.
* To all those who pledged to support Fred Hollows Foundation, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to set this up online. However, I think AMBER is doing a fantastic thhing, and hope you won't mind giving your pledged donation to them instead...
I do this for two reasons. The first reason is because this year, I was lucky not to be blind, in one eye at least. At the stroke of midnight, a firework zoomed up close and personal, and struck me between the eyes. Luckily, all I was left with was a scab that resembled a bindi, and a renewed sense of how precious and important something as simple as seeing is. By being blindfolded, I hope to come to 'see' what it may have been like if the firework had hit me two centimetres to the left.
The second reason is why I am contacting you. I am raising funds for AMBER*, a UK based charity that gives blind kids a way to music, providing music therapy, music lessons, and musical instruments. For a blind person, sound becomes the most important and sensitive sense, and encouraging the development of this is a great thing. Think of Ray Charles, think of Stevie Wonder... AMBER could help to bring forth some serious talent. When you donate through this site, the money goes directly to the charity, and if you are a taxpayer, you can gift-aid your donation too... basically, this means the tax will be returned by the government, increasing your donation by 28% at no extra cost to you.
* To all those who pledged to support Fred Hollows Foundation, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to set this up online. However, I think AMBER is doing a fantastic thhing, and hope you won't mind giving your pledged donation to them instead...