Dancing Blind by Candice Williams

Ethan took me on the most amazing date over the summer. I first noticed him by the way he positioned
himself next the speaker. He appeared to be taking in every note as if he were constructing symphony
in his head. He kept tapping his stick on the floor to the beat. I approached him and asked if he thought
this song dance worthy. What he said next, I was not prepared for, he said “Maybe, let’s go out next
Saturday and to discuss it”. As I stood there, probably staring at him, not sure what to say, he took my
hand wrote his number down and said call me.

When he arrived to pick me up I noticed that he had arrived in a cab that was suited for the visual
impaired. Ethan used a walking stick to come to my door, I noticed that he the counted steps to my front
door. He said this helps him not run into things. For example: he knows that after he counts about 15
steps, he has arrived back to the cab. He did have a little trouble going back up the stairs because the
stairs were uneven and the railing wasn’t properly installed in the ground. Once we were in the car, my
curiosity got the better of me and I started asking him what was in store for this evening. He simply
responded get ready for a night I wasn’t going to forget. We talked along the way about music and
dancing. The Cab driver thought this whole thing was amusing because he kept looking at Ethan and
shaking his head. Needless to say there was little to no privacy.











Dinner was at a place called Eclipse Di Luna. He chose this place because it reminds him of his family
and friends back home. The doorman opened the door and greeted Ethan by name. When we walked
in, it was like entering into a different world. The walls were painted with an earthy tones, mosaic
chandeliers and candle holders every where. The artwork was from all over Latin America and some
local artists. The place was a little crowded with people and tables. He asked the hostess if we could
have a place in the corner in his usual spot. The staff was more than accommodating to move some
tables and chairs out of the way to create some privacy and some room for us to dance. The table was
set up so that we could both face each other and the chairs were easy to get in and out of.



Dancing Blind by Candice Williams

I was a little nervous when he asked me to dance. Blind people can’t dance. Can they? In fact, he
danced so well, that I felt like butter in his arms! There was a couple sitting near by and they watched
with amazement at his grace and stature. I felt like Grace Kelly and the whole world was watching. He
told me close my eyes that way I could feel the music. Ethan said “when you close your eyes, your mind
see’s what your eyes can’t.” I never wanted the music to stop.



I was so sad to see the evening end. Ethan was a perfect gentleman. He opened my eyes to the many
challenges a person can face with a disability. But, he also taught me that just because you have a
disability, never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Because in the end, you will see, it was
never between you and them anyway.