Beginning at the end

We begin our trip at the end of the last, with Imi's reflections on the Yukon Blind adventure, posted on July 6, 2011:

I have just undergone a defining and significant event in my life. What exhilaration to know that severe visual impairments need not have to come in way of relishing the wild and roughing it. My gratitude to Howard is immense. Let me first say a few words about Howard, before discussing my overall experience of this canoe trip.

Two strangers meeting on a lonesome road few miles out of a small town of River Falls becomes the start of a great adventure. He was willing to try out taking responsibility of a person seriously handicapped on a potentially dangerous expedition. And I had to make a decision to put my life and safety in the hands of a man whom I hardly knew, and whose river skills, canoeing experience and ability, I had not witnessed. Here I for the first time had to confront an aspect of my character, that actually was a weakness, but that I had till now believed was my strength. I wanted to always be self sufficient, self reliant, in control of my own destiny, and never in need of others, but nevertheless enjoying of other’s company. I guess I have always been somewhat a loner, though I am affable and in good terms with all around me. But now I will have to seriously depend on another human being for my safety and wellbeing. This trip has taught me that it is strength to put trust in other humans and to let oneself be beholden to our friends. It is strength to tell your fellow being: “Brother, I need your help. And without you I could never have had this great experience!” It is a testament to Howard’s generosity and adventurousness to make this daring journey with me.
And what a journey it has been!

How I relished the vast openness and wildness of Yukon! Blindness has four potentially debilitating drawbacks, and this adventure acted as a remedy to each of them:

Firstly, blindness constricts. Vision of far-reaching spaces gives one the feeling of vastness and of immensity. But in this trip I gradually built a conception of vast spaces, of openness and of immensity. In the sounds o the wind, of the many seagulls, ducks and crows, and the constant rippling of the great river I experienced vastness.

Secondly, blindness isolates. Just as eyes are a window to human souls, so also are eyes the windows to the glorious world of color and of the vast and variegated world. But in this trip I was pulled out of my own self by the sounds and sensations of wild and free nature.

Thirdly blindness can be alienating. It is difficult for a blind person to fully participate with what is happening all around him. Never have I felt so much at home as when I was camping and canoeing on the Yukon River.

Fourthly, blindness is discouraging and demoralizing. One is always conscious of the limitations imposed upon us by low vision, especially in a world so visual as ours. What inspires and encourages humans is consciousness of one’s power. I pitched my own tent, packed my own stuff, and did my share of hard canoeing. I faced the hardships, and did it well.
In summary, this trip reminded me of what I could do, and not what I was incapable of doing.

Thanks to all of you for your amazing support, I was overwhelmed.

Imitiaz.