How my Brother Taught me the Meaning of Inclusion as a Blind Man
Everything Began because of Football!
Ten years ago, I was a super fan of football, A.K.A soccer. I was a Milanisti, still to these days.
Now, after becoming blind for more than 12+ years, I’m still an avid football fan.
The difference:
- When I was not blind, I watched football on TV with my eyes (nothing special here)
- Now blind, I watch football with my brother (who is also a Milanisti) through his description of the match
Do I enjoy it?
Absolutely!
Do I miss watching football matches? Like, really watched it like 15 years ago when I wasn’t blind?
Well, maybe.
So, why Am I telling you this?
Watching a football match now is becoming more than just entertainment for me. It’s more than just the score, the player, the teams, the goals. It’s the togetherness with my brother.
- The moment when we cheer up our team even though I don’t see the players
- The excitement I feel when our team scores the goal — even though I don’t witness the action.
- The laughter and cynical jokes we share when our team loses — though I don’t see how terrible the team play
It Starts with Something Small
I wanna tell you that is the meaning of accessibility and inclusion to me.
- It’s when you can include your friends in something you enjoy doing together.
- It’s more than just the building, system, or process, but the belongingness they feel when included.
- It’s a big concept but done in a small action.
- It doesn’t have to be expensive monumental — it should come from your willingness to try.
I wanna tell you this is a small, meaningful process we should do together.
Accessibility and inclusion is not a rating, assessment, or checklist you should do because the policy tells you to do so.
Maybe to some extent.
But inclusion is when you can have fun with your friends who have a disability so that you can dance together.
What does this mean to You?
When you read this, you most likely aren’t blind like me.
But that’s the point.
If you have the ability to tell a story through your writing, your voice, or your actions — use that to create value in other’s lives.
- Educate people who may be one step behind you
- Inspire people so they can take action toward their dreams
- Entertain people so you can cheer them up from their bad day
It doesn’t have to be rocket science. Because it’s not rocket science.
If we can do this, I have no doubt inclusion can be achieved for people like me, and like you.
Call me woo-woo for saying this, but I’ve experienced it with my brother. All because we watched football together.
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