Walking two moons in someone’s moccasins

This archived article was written by: Maren Hebdon

As the old Indian Proverb states, “Don’t judge any man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins.” Perfectly able people often seem to take their sight, health, hearing, and even the ability to walk for granted. Many people from the CEU campus and the community were able to experience first hand the disabilities that many in our world live with daily.

Those who attended the Hot Potato Lunch experienced the loss of a major ability, such as seeing, hearing or walking for one meal. Many who lost their sight for the lunch could attest to the difficulty of eating a full meal without seeing their food. Mikenzi Bentley commented, “I could see people who are typically unaware of something become more understanding of others by experiencing the disabilities they live with every day.”

Active Re-Entry, an agency geared toward assisting the disabled in our community, hosted the event. As each participant came to the luncheon, a slip of paper was chosen from a bowl containing many different disabilities. Wheelchairs, walkers, earplugs, and blindfolds created temporary disabilities for those in attendance. Richard Jewkes, a special guest speaker was featured during the lunch. As a blind community member, he spoke on the awareness that we each should have for the people around the globe who go without what many of us take for granted. Truly all who were in attendance gained an appreciation for the abilities they have.

Prior to the Hot Potato Lunch, students were also able to attend a volunteer fair hosted by the Sun Center. Agencies from the community were at the JLSC to provide information to students interested in volunteer efforts. The day proved successful for those who attended these activities.