4 Square Without Eyesight

Recently I had the opportunity to play a game I had not played since elementary school called four square.

One difference from the last time I played this game is I am now completely blind and need two canes to walk safely. I am also about 35-40 years older than the last time I played

I am not sure if they play this game called four square in other countries? If so, maybe it is called something different.

How I Was Given this Opportunity to Challenge my Senses
I was at a recent family gathering enjoying everyone’s company and cheerful conversation. I walked out to the driveway to ask one of my cousins a question when I heard the laughing and the bouncing rubber ball near by. These sounds caught my attention with curiosity and wonderment. Thoughts raced through my mind wondering if I could play this game with no eyesight.

Soon my nieces, great nieces and great nephews asked me to join them in the game. At first thought I imagined how I might be able to play without any eyesight, and wondered if I should attempt to try this.

To play this game there are four squares on the ground. These squares are usually drawn on the ground with chalk. Each of the four people in the game stands in their own square. The goal is when the ball comes into your square you are to hit the rubber ball into another person’s square. The person who misses the ball or overshoots another person’s square looses that game.

I thought to myself why not give this new challenge and experience a try.

I folded up my long white cane and put it into its holder and fastened it to my belt. I folded up my white support cane and partially stuck it down the back of my pants to secure it since I only had one cane holder. I could have set my support cane aside while I played, but I wanted my support cane for emergencies in case I started to fall or get unsteady standing and moving around in my square with no canes.

With the help of the others in the game letting me know where my square was, I positioned myself into the center of my square. Then I heard the sound of hands hitting the rubber ball. Immediately after I herd the hands of another player hit the ball I heard a different tone as the ball struck and bounced off the ground. I stood there crouched down ready to turn in any direction quickly to try to hit the ball. I imagined the rubber ball being brick red in color since that is what I remembered the color was when I last played. I listened intently as I tried to follow the ball’s sound as it bounced from square to square and from person to person wondering when it would come into my square. I was intensely concentrating on the sound of the ball hitting the ground. Soon I could distinguish the different sounds of the ball hitting the ground depending on what angle, direction and speed the ball hit the ground. After a bit, once I got into a rhythm, I imagined in my minds eye the compression of the rubber ball as it bounced off the ground. With more compression I could gauge that the ball would be traveling faster. From the sound the ball made I could hear if the ball was going towards me and would bounce in my square. If the ball did bounce in my square I would gently time my attempt to hit the ball based on my methods of gauging the speed and location of the ball from my auditory observations. When I would make hand contact with the bouncing ball I would hit the ball towards another persons square. After a few successes, I was having a great deal of fun! I was amazed I actually was hitting the ball! I was very glad I tried to play the game instead of sitting out and never knowing if I would succeed, or fail. I played the game with eagerness and joy for quite a while. I eventually stopped when I could no longer concentrate intensely enough to follow the bouncing ball accurately.
To read about another of my recreational firsts, read Hitting a Softball without Sight.

Has anyone else ever tried something they were not sure they could accomplish? If so, how did you feel after you decided to try the unknown instead of sitting on the sideline and missing your opportunity to extend yourself? Even if you did not succeed, how did you feel after making the attempt? Not succeeding in my opinion is better than not trying; depending on if not succeeding will cause you or anyone else physical harm.

We all look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments.

Bill Tipton
Contributing Author
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

Comments

[Sandy]

I think this one is a good message for all.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CAN

DO TILL YOU TRY.............

I enjoyed it very much. Thank You

[William]

Remarkable .
I have been on walks with Bill, and I know that his hearing has developed far beyond the normal range.
William

[Linda]

Even sighted persons should challenge themselves to try things they normally think they can't do. I remember playing 4-square as a child and loving it. Inspirational article.

[Bill Tipton - Life and Work with a Disability BLOG]

Hello Sandy, William and Linda,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your valuable thoughts and insights. We all really appreciate it.

Sandy, I hope you go out and try something you think you could not do. I think you can accomplish it!

William, you are correct my hearing is better for some things. It is also worse for other things. For example when I am in crowds and a lot of people are talking all at once it is hard for me to focus on who is talking; since I can’t see the person’s mouth that is moving and making sound. I can not see what way they are facing to recognize who they are talking to. In these situations all of the talking gets blended and blurred together as one large noise. At least my navigational and precise hearing for some things is better to keep me safe and allow me to accomplish some things by sound only.

Linda, I completely agree with you. All of us should continue to challenge ourselves to the best of our ability. In our life we never know what will come up down our path of life. The more we practice trying things we are not comfortable with or not sure we can accomplish the better equipped we will be to handle unexpected challenges. We would feel more comfortable participating in fun; like I did when I chose to participate in the 4 square game.

Has anyone else accomplished something you did not think you could? Any tips to help us to challenge and extend ourselves beyond our comfort zones? Does anyone need help? We all look forward to hearing your thoughts and comments.

Bill Tipton
Contributing Author
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

[Matt]

Thanks for the inspiration Bill!