Follow Your Dream

The Blazing Saddles spent three days in Chiangmai, cycling 60 miles (100 kilometers) per day including cycling to the top of Doi Suthep and back, before the group moved on to Chiangrai and finally to Chang Khong in the Golden Triangle. For many years this annual fund raising event, sponsored and organized by the National Council for the Blind in Ireland, has been held in many countries including a mammoth 900 mile ride from Sidney to Brisbane in Australia and another notable event in South Africa. Joe told me how he met Nelson Mandela in South Africa and of the great man's words of wisdom whispered softly in his ear. "If you have a dream then follow it and don't let anyone tell you, you can't do it"

Joe has taken those words to heart and is pursuing his dream with a vengeance. At home, in Ireland, Joe works as a presenter for Radio R.T.E. the national radio station of Ireland and he is also the editor of a magazine for the blind published on tape cassette. Through these channels he is able to help the blind and champion their cause.

A worthy project, even notable, but what makes Joe such a remarkable person is the fact that he himself is blind. An operation to remove a cancerous growth from the ear when he was just two years old went sadly wrong, leaving Joe blind and with 12 brothers and sisters "Mum" had no time to give him special attention. Sent out to play with the rest of them, Joe learned to take care of himself and it was not until he was a teenager that he was able to benefit from special schooling. At that time he also learned about music and went on to become a pianist in a professional dance band. He married and had three sons and now is a proud grandfather with no fewer than eight grandchildren.

And so back to the present. The Blazing Saddles came to Thailand to raise money for the Blind in Ireland, but during that trip, Joe met Khun Aree, the Vice Principal of the Northern School for the Blind in Chiangmai. "It takes a lot to impress me," Joe said, "But Khun Aree is one of the most dynamic, caring, genuine people I have ever met." Khun Aree told Joe about her school. She explained that over 140 children between the ages 5 to 15, all blind and many with multiple disabilities, are full time boarders. She spoke of the lack of equipment, namely Perkins Typewriters (for typing in Braille) and she invited him to visit the school. Unfortunately Joe did not have time to take up her offer as the team was moving on to Chiangrai but he never forgot Khun Aree.

On his return to Ireland, Joe decided to appeal to the very people who had just benefited from the cycle ride across Thailand: the BLIND. Turning the tables full circle, Joe explained about the plight of the blind children in Chiangmai and appealed for old Braille typewriters, writing slates and other equipment designed to help those who can not see. The response was incredible and within a few weeks, Joe had received no less than six Perkins Typewriters and other equipment totaling 75 kilograms in weight. The next hurdle was to get this equipment to Thailand and with the help of the National Council for the Blind in Ireland, plus a considerable amount of his own money, Joe was soon booking a flight to Chiangmai.

"And I will be back again as often as possible." Says Joe, having just spent a week at the school where he played the keyboard, taught English (with an Irish accent), danced to disco music and rolled around the floor with his shoes and socks off until tears ran down his cheeks from joy. Of course Joe, was not able to see the children nor they him, but they touched and smelled and laughed and cried together and the memory will stay with him for the rest of his life.

"I have traveled all over the world" Joe told me "both working with a dance band and recently, with the Blazing Saddles, but I have never been touched like I have with the experience of Thailand." He could not explain what it was or why these kids were different from the blind children in his own country but whatever he discovered was truly remarkable, I only needed to look at his face to see that.

When good-byes were said, Joe stated he would be back in six months with another consignment of goodies for the blind school. Tape recorders for making books on cassette, fast copiers and any other kind of recording hardware that will be of help to the kids.This is his next project and there was a sparkle in those blind but caring eyes that made them very much alive. He will be back, like he says and and the children he has met at the school will enthusiastically greet him.

Anyone who would like to help the Northern School for the Blind should contact the Superintendent, Khun Aree Plernchaiwanit at Tel. (66-53) 278009.