(The cast should return to the stage to participate in the discussion. It is also important to have the Rules of Blind Etiquette posted, projected, or distributed for all to read.)

Before we discuss the play, let me ask you two questions.

1. If a person has a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with glasses, they are called "partially-sighted" or "blind." Do you know anyone who is visually-impaired in this way?

      Notice that I use such terms as "partially-sighted," "visually-impaired," and "blind." These are acceptable by the blind community, but please avoid using terms and phrases such such as "handicapped," "afflicted with," and "suffering from." Some people even avoid using the term, "disabled." (Explain further, if necessary.)
      Some people can be visually-impaired to the point of "legal blindness" (Define 20/200 acuity) and still be able to see a little with one or both of their eyes.
      Some people have lost central vision , peripheral vision, or total vision as a result of certain diseases of the retina. (Define "central vision," "peripheral vision," and "retina.") So far, there is no cure for retinal disease, but there is hope for the future.
      Some people may become blind from diseases of the eyeball itself, many of which can be treated successfully if caught in time. Other people are temporarily or permanently blind as a result of birth defects or injuries to the eye.
      Ronnie has a genetic disease called Stargardt's syndrome, a form of Juvenile Macular Degeneration. It is caused by a defective gene which keeps the cone cells of the retina from removing waste deposits (define "cone cells"), and the eventual result is loss of central vision. It affects children, and it can progress to legal blindness before age 20. Again, there is not yet a cure.

2. Are the characters in the play bad, or are they just unaware?

      Mostly unaware. They cannot be expected to know about Ronnie's condition, unless someone teaches them. Their only real mistake then, is that they see her as being different, and they don't try very hard to understand.
      Let's talk about the play, using the Rules of Blind Etiquette as a reference.

Discussion Points #1:
      Speaking "through" another person is condescending and insulting, as if the visually-impaired person is also mentally-impaired. (Rule of Blind Etiquette #3)
      Aaron felt very awkward about saying the word "blind" aloud. Use of the word is not a problem for a visually-impaired person. (Rule of Blind Etiquette #6)

Discussion Point #2:
      Why did Sarah think that Ronnie was pretending to be blind?

      Only about 5% of pople with visual impairment are totally without sight. Others are at various stages of vision loss, and many do not need a cane or a guide dog for mobility. They can often move around independent of help from other people. One of their biggest problems, then, is social. Not being able to see well, they may have trouble recognizing faces, counting change, reading, driving, and other skills that are expected by fully sighted people.

Discussion Point #3:
      What did Ronnie mean by "Why didn't you tell me that you can see?"

      Ronnie should not have to announce her visual impairment any more than Sarah should have to announce her sightedness. Ronnie does not expect to be treated any differently because of her condition, so there is no point in bringing it into the conversation, unless the subject comes up.

Discussion Point #4:
      Research has shown that ultraviolet rays from direct sunlight are harmful to the retinal cells. People with eye diseases are warned to avoid sunlight by wearing UV-protective sunglasses (preferably the wrap-around type) and hats that shade the eyes.

Discussion Point #5:
      Viewing close-up may help Ronnie to see details better, but only because it would help her to use the healthier areas of her visual field. We should not assume (as the characters did in the play) that close-viewing or magnification will work for every type of blindness. Some people can see only with their peripheral vision (eg. macular degeneration). Others can see with only the center of their visual field (eg. retinitis pigmentosa). Others have random spots of blindness or distortion (eg. diabetic retinopathy), and there are yet others who can see nothing at all (eg. advanced glaucoma).

Discussion Point #6:
      Why was AaronÕs warning ineffective?

      A warning such as "Look out!" gives no clear instruction to a visually-impaired person, and only results in confusion. (Rule of Blind Etiquette #9)

      Demonstration with volunteer audience member: Blindfold a volunteer, then stand next to him and yell, "Look out!" Obviously, he will not know how to react, which makes the point in a humorous way. Repeat the demonstration, this time saying firmly, but calmly, "Duck." Hopefully, he will respond correctly and help to demonstrate the importance of choosing the proper words.

Discussion Point #7:
      Meghan did not make it clear that she was addressing Ronnie. (Rule of Blind Etiquette #2)

Discussion Point #8:
      Never assume that a visually-impaired person wants your help, and never take hold of them without their permission. (Rules of Blind Etiquette #9 and #10)

      Demonstration with audience volunteer: Show proper techniques used to guide a blind person who has asked for assistance.

Discussion Pont #9:
      As in Discussion Point #1, it is also a mistake to treat a visually-impaired person as if they are hard of hearing. (Rule of Blind Etiquette #1)

Discussion Point #10:
      How did Sarah and the others come to the conclusion that Ronnie was not pretending?

      They might have noticed that RonnieÕs pupils were abnormally large, which results from little or no light input to the retina. She might also look off to the side of an object in order to see it with her peripheral vision.

Discussion Point #11:
      It has been said that what a blind person may not have in the way of sight, they often make up for in insight. This is what the characters in the play lack, which--by Ronnie's way of thinking--makes them just as "blind" as she is.

Discussion Point #12:
      What caused Ronnie to reject Aaron at the end of the play?

      Best answer: He was beginning to pity her. Ronnie feels fully capable of meeting the challenges in her life, and she doesn't have room at this time for people who feel sorry for her.