The Blind Leading The Sighted Awareness Event

This event offered an enlightening and engaging experience, inviting attendees to see the world through the perspective of the visually impaired. Through interactive discussions and activities, participants explored the daily realities and remarkable capabilities of individuals with visual impairments.

The program included personal insights shared by a visually impaired community member, offering an authentic glimpse into their experiences. Additionally, a hilarious comedy skit, performed by Feigy Lefkowitz from Mimi's Linens and Leah Adams, PsyD, the Costume Lady, brought humor and heart to the event, challenging stereotypes in a lighthearted way.

The Comedy Skit

The Blind Leading the Sighted Comedy Skit (adapted from the 'Chesed Project' skit performed at the Insight Beyond Eyesight Shabbaton) By Leah Adams PsyD Newscaster #1/Ayin Tova: Welcome to the Blind leading the Sighted, an eye-opening presentation on how common-sensically impaired both the 'unimpaired' and 'visually impaired' population can be! Tonight's skit is based on Rochel Yenti Bodek's 2 favorite lists: 10 things for others NOT to say to the blind! and 10 things for a blind person NOT to say to themselves! Newscaster #2/Chasida Chyenka: You're listening to Station Chessed 24/6-your home for heart filled, wholesome (and hopefully hilarious) entertainment. Today we're focusing-[turns to Ayin Tova] can I use the word focusing at a program for the blind? Ayin Tova: Sure! Chasida Chyenka: Ok boss. So, today we're focusing on misconceptions. Ayin Tova: In tonight's episode of "Chasida Chyenka Chesed lady", Chasida, AKA Miss Killing-me-with-kindness, is portrayed by my co-host here, [points to Chasida] She takes on a tough challenge of helping a blind young woman portrayed by me [points to self]. We picked the name Chasida because of its resemblance to Chessed. Kindness, [Chasida unabashedly holds her hands to her heart and flutters her eyebrows]. But, like the non-kosher bird of the same name, the Chessed she displays is off the mark. [Chasida puts hands on hips and mutters harumph] Chasida: Enjoy the musical interlude while we do a little presto change-o of our costumes and then we'll take a peek (yep, I can use that word too at an event for the blind) and see (another sight related word) how that's going. . . [Play recording of "Yakety Sax" music while we bend down behind the table to change costumes] Ayin Tova: [holding the folded cane in the open] The big dilemma-use this, be stigmatized, and announce to the world that I'm blind, or skip it, run the risk of tripping on something, make the world assume that something is wrong with me, and then maybe they'll know that I'm blind anyway. I guess I'll stick with the safer choice-let me open this cane. [unfolds the cane] Well, gotta' take a shopping cart and hurry through the grocery if I'm ever going to get done. [Takes a cart] Chasida Chyenka: Hm, where's my next victim? Ah! There she is! Guess who? Your helpful friend. I'll drive that shopping cart for you, sweetie,-you might run someone over.[Begins to pull grocery cart away from Ayin Tova practically knocking her down]. Remember me? I saw you, um, I mean, I heard you [wipes nervous sweat from her own face] once before. Ayin Tova: Yes, of course, you and a thousand other people who I've met before. [mumbles to herself "no clue"] Excuse me, can I please have my cart back so that I can finish my shopping now? [Chasida hands her the cart] By the way, I'm Tova, Ayin Tova that is, stands for "Good Eye". To whom do I have the distinct (non) pleasure of speaking? Chasida Chyenka: My name is Chasida Chyenka, Super Chesed lady, [Pulls superman cape out from her pocketbook and puts it on]. Here's my cape to prove it! Unfortunately I can't fit my Goody Two-Shoes in my pocketbook. How cute, dear, you're acting like you're shopping. Well, what kind of food DO you people like? After all, with your sense of smell being so good. . . Ayin Tova: Well, what do YOU like? [as Chasida rambles on she sneaks away on exaggerated tip toe, making a "quiet" signal to the audience] let me sneak away while she's distracted in her thoughts. Chasida Chyenka: I like chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake and pizza and. . [Ayin Tova slips away while Chasida Chyenka rambles on] Ooh, almost forgot to make an important call , [Dials phone-turns aside and speaks in loud whisper]: "Rochil?, Rochilus? Is that you?. I'm so excited! I have my Charity Chessed case of the week. I can't wait to tell my friends at the Chabura!. Oh no, gotta' go, I think I lost her!" Ayin Tova: [to self] What if I really can't shop? Maybe I shouldn't have even tried, I could get hurt! What if, what if, what if elephants would deliver groceries, that's what if! [laughs to self, straightens shoulders and continues down the aisle]. I GOT this! Chasida Chyenka: [comes running] There you are! You poor dear, you are SUCH an inspiration to me, you know, I'm like legally blind without my glasses so I can understand what you're going through! Ayin Tova: Well then, that makes you IL-legally blind! Let me put on my police cap to make this official. [puts on police cap while talking and hands over ticket] Here you go, this summons is for you! Chasida Chyenka: [reads notice out loud] "Summons? For misuse of the term "legal blindness" which means vision not correctable beyond visually impaired, even with glasses." Ayin Tova: Even without my vision I can clearly see who I'm dealing with here. Chasida Chyenka: What IS on your shopping list? Silly me, how could you have a shopping list if you're blind? Ayin Tova: Well, how do YOU carry your shopping list? Chasida Chyenka: "I leave myself voice notes, talk to text or text to talk on my phone." Ayin Tova: Same here-my phone and I are best friends. [to self] Ugh, I hate to ask for help but, I need a specific brand of sauce. I've got to get it through my head that there's no shame in asking for help when someone needs it. [to Chasida]: Where's the Mama Miriam's Geshmack tomato sauce? Chasida Chyenka: Over there [pulls feather duster out from vest and points with flare] Ayin Tova : [walks in opposite direction], here? Chasida Chyenka: No, there! [points with feather duster] Ayin Tova: Wow, great. Nothing like specific detailed and helpful instructions. Let's try this again, I'll be more specific in my question and you be more specific in your answer. Please hand me a can of Mama Miriam's Geshmack tomato sauce. I make amazing stuffed cabbage with it. Chasida Chyenka : That's not all you'll need-here, here's a whole slew of things that I just know you'll want [begins dumping loads of cans into the cart], Oy, when you cook the kitchen must look like a disaster! With food spilled all over. How can you cook if you can't read a recipe? Ayin Tova: [shakes her head in disbelief] I can cook using recipes printed in braille or recipes in audio form. I can measure and bake using special measuring cups and safety techniques Chasida Chyenka: Sheffele Mana Zisse nebechel, my dear sweet unfortunate child, here's a can to feel so that you'll know what it looks like! Ayin Tova: Wow, [sarcastic] I never knew the difference between a can and a box before. [to self] Maybe I SHOULD let her do all of the shopping for me, it will take less time and I won't risk making a fool of myself. Wait a minute, fools are always the ones laughing. Better to try, and also laugh at myself sometimes, rather than be dependent and cry. These silly glasses in my bag are really a good start. And I think that I'll use my flashy light up cane to really get a good laugh. [switches to clown glasses and light up cane and laughs] Chasida Chyenka : I didn't know that blind people can have a sense of humor, you know, with your life so sad all the time. Well, anyway, wanna hear a joke? What did one blind girl say when she passed another blind girl? Nothing, because she couldn't see her! Ayin Tova: I have a better one. What did one self-absorbed self-righteous woman say when she passed another one? Nothing, because she couldn't see her! Chasida Chyenka: [flustered and uncomfortable] On a different note, I see your cane, I once knew a visually impaired man who was so talented that he didn't need a cane. Of course, the day his grandson left a toy out by accident was a disaster for him! You know, in time people like you will be fixed-when Moshiach comes you'll be normal just like me! Ayin Tova: [to self] Such normalcy I can do without. [To Chasida] Do you know what's amazing? We both say 'She'Asani Kirtzono' in the morning! Do you know what that means? It means that we are both exactly as HaShem wants us to be. Chasida Chyenka: [trips on something and falls on the floor] I am such a klutz, [crying], I can't believe that I fell over that! I just want HaShem to be happy with me that I am helping his children, and I can't even do that right! Ayin Tova [bends down to Chasida and hands her a tissue]: You know what Chasida? From now on I'm calling you Tova, Leeba Tova, like the good heart that you are! Chasida Chyenka: I'm touched Ayin Tova: Take my hand [helps Chasida get up] How about this? I'll look out for you, and you look out for me! [Both laugh and put their arms around each other's shoulders.] Chasida Chyenka: You know, I've never succeeded in making good stuffed cabbage. Maybe you can teach me? Ayin Tova: Sure! If you'll help me find the ingredients! [Play yaketty sax music again while we remove costumes, bow and dance]