A Journey into Darkness: Seeing with More than Eyes
Reflections from the Dialogue in the Dark Experience
When a group of us stepped into the space called Dialogue in the Dark, we had no idea that we were stepping out of our comfort zones and into a realm of transformation. In that complete absence of light, we began to see—not with our eyes, but with our hands, ears, and hearts.
For many, like Raihana, the experience was disorienting yet deeply profound. “Darker than dark,” she recalled, describing the unsettling feeling of not being able to find light even when her eyes searched for it. With only one ear functional, she had to rely not only on sound, but on touch, allowing her hands to read the environment like Braille. Yet in that unfamiliar terrain, she found strength in connection. As she guided Edna, she became a symbol of how trust, presence, and quiet leadership can illuminate even the darkest paths.
Edna, vulnerable due to a medical condition that made falls potentially life-threatening, placed complete faith in her friend. She reflected on how hard it was to accept help, yet how essential that act of humility was in moving forward—just as families, teachers, and communities do in supporting those with additional needs. Hidayat’s voice, she said, became their compass—just as advocates become the voice and bridge for many who navigate life with invisible and visible disabilities.
Mina, who came with little knowledge of what the experience entailed, walked out with a completely transformed outlook. Confronted with a darkness so total it felt like “you can’t see your own hands,” she described the vulnerability of having to rely on others, of learning to “let go and trust the walking stick—and more importantly, the voices.” What moved her most was Hidayat’s story: losing his sight as a teenager, but regaining purpose through mentoring, humour, and strength. Mina left with a renewed mission to bring this awareness into her education and business circles, ensuring that inclusion becomes more than tokenism, but a lived reality.
Together, we experienced barriers—physical, sensory, emotional. We fumbled, we laughed nervously, we leaned on one another. Through it all, we were led by a guide who could not see us, but could feel the weight of our silence, our hesitation, and our learning.
Dr. Jarina, who organised the visit, reminded us all that as educators, we stand up regardless of the situation. The visit wasn’t a school requirement; it was a lesson in gratitude, humility, and advocacy.
These shared reflections culminate in the poem written by Yamunna D/O Mahendran, who captured the experience not just as an observer, but as a soul moved by the depth of what she encountered:
In the dark, we discovered not only the lives of others—but ourselves.
May we carry these lessons into every classroom, every policy, every conversation, and every step forward.
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