CindysThanks

Welcome to my new series of posts: hashtag#CindysThanks
In this series, I’ll be sharing my thanks to the unsung heroes who help me through tricky everyday situations as a blind woman.

Often, I don’t get the chance to learn people’s names.
So if you are one of my unnamed heroes – or know someone who might be – please do encourage them to get in touch.

My first hashtag#CindysThanks goes to Bethany Porter who works in the Alpha Tower in Birmingham.

Earlier this week, I found myself trying to cross a major road to reach the Alpha Tower and was heading for danger. Bethany stepped in, helped me reach the building safely, and even guided me through to my event floor.

What stood out wasn’t just the help – it was how she helped.

Bethany offered assistance calmly, asked where I was going, and guided me clearly, describing kerbs, large steps, uneven surfaces and tramline hazards.

No panic.
No awkwardness.
Just practical, confident support in a potentially dangerous situation.

Thank you, Bethany.

You might reasonably wonder what I was doing trying to navigate such an unsafe set of roads.

I’d never visited Alpha Tower before, but I knew it was close to a tram stop and (misguidedly, as it turned out) decided to find my own way so I’d know the route for next time. Lesson learned this time.

I like to travel independently where possible (medical issues permitting), and I often learn routes by having a go, getting lost, learning from mistakes, and then practising the safer route.

That approach has worked for me because I’ve been blind since birth and I have an adventurous personality – but it’s not the right or safe approach for everyone.

The good news: I’ve now learned a much safer route to Alpha Tower via a different tram stop, and I’m looking forward to my next visit.

This is what hashtag#CindysThanks is about:
spotlighting everyday barriers, and celebrating the people who quietly remove them.

Recognising anonymous heroes

Many of the people Cindy wants to thank remain anonymous, because the situations they helped to resolve do not lend themselves to requesting or sharing contact details.

If you recognise any of our anonymous heroes, please let us know so that we can thank them by name – if they are comfortable with that recognition.