By Nicholas Badger (Reprinted with permission from The Battalion. Photos by Matt Young)
Two people walking down the street hold more than hands. They hold canes.
Melissa Padron, 18, and James Chambers, 20, are both freshman general studies majors. They are legally blind and dating.
“We met in Austin at the Texas School for the Blind. We both attended a weeklong technology program,” Padron said. “We both went to that and met each other and just started talking.”
The two walk around campus guiding each other the correct way to class. They said navigating together is easier than navigating alone.
“You have someone to talk to,” Padron said.
Chambers has been blind since birth. Padron’s blindness is a result of her albinism. She has a little sight and uses it to help Chambersget around.
“It’s pretty easy to get around campus,” Chambers said. “One of my classes, Melissa is kind enough to walk me to. Of course, that’s an 8 o’clock class, and it’s way on the other side of campus, too.”
Both say they are glad they came to Texas A&M. They said at A&M, people are friendly and willing to help them find the way to class.
“I remember the first few weeks of classes I got turned around, or made a wrong turn or something like that, there were always people to stop and correct me,” Chambers said.
The duo said A&M has good disability services.
“A&M just appealed to us,” Padron said. “It seemed friendly. It wasn’t too big and complicated, but it still had a bus system to get around.”
The bus system has proven to be an important aspect of their relationship. They use the buses to do typical couple things, including going out to eat or to the movies.
