The Blinking Paradox: Living Beyond the Moment

Imagine a world where every blink equates to another year of your life. Would you embrace this eternal countdown, or would you shun it in favor of a longer, albeit blink-free, existence?

For many, blinking is a natural and unconscious reflex—but for those living with conditions like Tourette Syndrome, it becomes a physical challenge. Grunting, groaning, winking, and excessive blinking become so frequent that they disrupt daily life. This is precisely the case with our protagonist, who finds themselves in a predicament owing to a severe tic disorder.

Reflecting on the future, the author of this piece wonders:

Living with Tourette Syndrome

“Soo by that... I may turn 1720 37 tomorrow and will continue to age, as age is just a number... my age may be over 1000 if this ever happens, people used to live for thousands of blissful days.”

The author’s tics, including excessive blinking, are a direct result of their Tourette Syndrome. Every blink matures the individual by a year, leading to an urgent need for action.

Enter the Permanent Blindfold

With a severe inclination to blink due to Tourette Syndrome, the author decides to face the blinking paradox head-on. They propose wearing a permanent blindfold to eliminate future years from their life only through blinks. This solution is both imaginative and desperate, reflecting an individual's struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy despite a harsh reality.

However, the decision to live life blind raises a myriad of questions. How will they navigate the world without sight? How will they learn and thrive in an environment where vision is paramount?

Adjusting to Life Without Sight

“So living life blind, I will go to a special school so I can learn how to navigate the world without sight, how to read Braille, and how to survive on my own,” the author declares.

Debra's plan involves immersion in a specialized school for individuals with visual impairments. Here, students learn valuable life skills such as Braille literacy, mobility techniques, and other adaptive strategies. The author is eager to embark on this journey, signaling a commitment to adaptation and resilience.

The Meaning of Life Beyond Sight

“I will get a seeing-eye dog to help me around and hopefully it won't fight too much with our cat. I will be behind in school and will need to rethink what I want to major in—are there blind engineers? It will be much more difficult,” the author muses.

Despite the challenges, the author looks positively at the future, envisioning nothing short of a balanced life. The transition to blindness will require significant adjustments, but the prospect of continued learning and development is a beacon of hope. Specialized education and support systems play a crucial role in this adjustment.

Aging and the Blinking Paradox

“I look young for my age anyway,” the author reflects with a hint of amusement. This statement reveals an underlying desire to maintain youth and vibrancy despite the ticking clock of time.

Ultimately, the author’s story is a poignant exploration of resilience, adaptability, and the irreverence of limitations. It challenges us to reconsider what it means to live a fulfilling life—whether that’s by aging gracefully or by transcending the physical realities that once constrained them.