Into the Darkness…


Last Saturday the seesaw team reunited once again before the week of Christmas. As a Christmas gift, each member was offered to experience pure darkness for 100 minutes. All seven members went into a maze-like room that had no light and was tasked to successfully come out without sight. This was the first time each member faced a challenge to this scale. Surprisingly, all members agreed to go in because all of us thought that it was the bare minimum we could do as a group that helps the visually impaired. 

Throughout the 100-minute duration, there were many instances where members felt fear. The first instance was at the beginning of the 100-minute duration. As soon as the doors unlocked, each member thought about whether or not they were actually going to be able to complete this task. Specifically, I felt anxious. I wanted to see light as soon as possible. But after a series of deep breaths, I was able to push through. I constantly justified myself on being able to complete this task was the bare minimum I can do. 

Luckily, the group was led by a “roadmaster” that guided us through the darkness. The more time we spent in the darkness, we became more accustomed to it. We could really picture what it felt like to be visually impaired. The maze provided us with very realistic scenarios of the daily life of a normal person. For instance, a walk in the park, time spent in a cafe, or a ride on a motorcycle. 

Towards the end of the experience, our roadmaster asked us about the time that has passed. Nobody was able to answer the question with precision. Answers varied from 20 minutes to 40, but the truth was 100 minutes had passed. The fact that as we lost one sense, we lost another: the ability to keep track of time. Conversely, I enhanced my sense of taste and sound. Through the experience, I think our team got a step closer to finally understanding the struggles the visually impaired go through in our community. 

In Frozen 2, Elsa sang, Into the Unknown, similarly, the Seesaw club, went into darkness and came out with a gift that will last forever. 


Written by Sungjoon Choo

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