By Staff
Until you experience something personally, it is often hard to imagine what others go through.
For someone who can't see, the world is incredibly different than it is for sighted people.
One woman in Niles is attempting to make a difference for all those who can't see.
Madelyn "Maggie" Patterson made national news when she started her "Doggie-Drive thru," selling homemade dog treats through a side window.
When she recently began selling portable water for pets, she added something to make it easier for the nonsighted shopper – Braille on the bottle.
"I would love to see blind people shop in stores and get out more," Patterson said.
She has taken her "Braille challenge" to major food manufacturers and distributors, such as Kraft and Heinz.
With some national attention, Patterson is hopeful that she can make a difference and encourage Braille to be added on products to help those who are blind "see" what they are buying.
She isn't interested in working to add a law, but rather she hopes to see corporate America "step up to the plate" and add Braille without being forced to.
"Blind people should be given the chance to feel the Braille. The blind are in the dark because their eyes don't work, but they do not get the chance to let their hands work for their eyes. They should be allowed to get out and feel the world around them," she added.
Since nutritional information about the product has been added, already we take for granted that we can look at a glance to see just how much fat or calories are in a product. Why not have Braille to aid those who can't see?
We support this idea and would hope that business owners, instead of looking at costs, would consider the benefits.