AUDIO TV BY FIONA CUMMINGS

We sat to watch some movies last night. The first one came on. Oh, it was rubbish. The young actors these days really really can not act. They have no personality. No expression in their voices. We really are as a society, being programmed to be like robots.

 

Second film didn’t have audio, nor was the third or fourth. So, we spent a good fifteen minutes fast forwarding. In the end we gave up.

 

It’s really funny how we react when there is no audio description. Firstly, we are so fortunate in this country as almost every drama etc does  have the facility to have AD on. But these films? No. only the first one and seriously, that was so bad.

 

Only about seven years ago, nothing had audio. we watch TV. And thought nothing of it. But, how could we?  I guess, because we knew no better.

 

To have AD makes so much difference. It’s like a person who is deaf, watching a film without subtitles.

 

Our audio is excellent. And why shouldn’t we know what those who can see knows? We have a great comedy called Mrs Brown. It’s Irish, it’s the funniest comedy, only it’s not audio. but I am sure because the person who plays Mrs Brown is a hater of blind people. I have my reasons for thinking that. Shame really, as there are two blind people in this house who love that show and have been to see it live.

 

It’s great watching it with our Son as he fits in the missing parts. Bless him, he just does it naturally. I adore him for that. I know of some ladies whose Husbands wouldn’t even do that. In fact, I know of some who won’t allow their wives to put audio on the TV as they say it interrupts their viewing.

Really, how? There is nothing on the screen. Only a voice that occasionally pops up and it’s so in the background. My Son says he doesn’t even recognise it. Shamrock says the same. Bless her and she isn’t used to it.

 

Can you imagine this Bloggets? So, your partner for the want of a much better word, (It’s late)

Is blind. Your, vision is perfect.

All she wants to do is laugh when you do and feel sad when you do. Just so she doesn’t feel left out, though we are blind, we still need to know what is going on… and next time you watch a movie, close your eyes for one minute. It will be amazing in that time how much you will miss. May be for one moment, you will not realise what you have indeed, missed, but that moment may be when she is joking with her boyfriend. He goes to hug her. And her face changes whilst she is embracing her boyfriend in the film. That look will alert the viewers/audience, that she isn’t who we thought she was…

 

Sometimes a love scene, he gives her an amazing look. But says no words. It’s obvious to the person watching, that he is in love with her. But without words, how are we to know?

A bent cop words I hate, may be very corrupt, but without words or an obvious voice, how do we know what this policeman is really like?

 

 To the sighted person, they look at the screen and it’s obvious. But if you close your eyes, and realise how much you really will miss.

 

Sometimes it’s important to know what someone is wearing. I mean, it could be a big clue in a movie for example.

 

You miss so much if you are blind when you watch TV, even if you have some sight, still, audio, is a gift.

 

Do the people reading the script for us even realise what a great job they are doing?

 

Isn’t it funny how people can come into your life and really make a difference? It’s some peoples goal to be able to help someone. who makes those people? How do they turn out so selfless?

 

And then there are others who just patronise, never stop to think how an elderly relative for example, will manage to do something, it’s like out of sight, out of mind.

 

And this is why there are some people who are on a self-disruptive road.

 They feel like they have nothing and mean nothing to anyone.

 

Well firstly, you mean a lot to me. Secondly, no one knows what changes will occur throughout the year. Thirdly, you don’t know if your future partner will want children.

 Future partner? Stranger things have happened.

 

Perhaps you are in your seventies, you don’t have children of your own. You do end up meeting a lovely person. Eventually you choose to marry them. They may have a Son for example. The Son, may start to treat you so well. Start to make you feel so happy once again. And then he, may have children, so, your Grandchildren… I guess as close as you will ever get to having blood Grand kids.

 

To be loved again. It’s a feeling. It’s an expression. Someone you are meant to love, but you hurt. What is your partner supposed to do when you are watching TV? Just sit and ache for the days when they too could watch TV?

You may find if you kindly, allow, her/him, to watch TV with Audio on, then you will both be able to laugh together.