A
Sonic Boom!
The
world in which we live is not only visible, it is audio, too. Every
sound, no matter how soft or how loud is loaded with meaning and
depth. And, as Juan Ruis knows only too well, the understanding of
that which is heard is of vital importance for a fullness of life.
And, he knows so because he is blind.
And
he has been blind since his birth. And blindness sharpens one's
senses. At a very early age he discovered that living was more than
just listening and feeling. There was another dynamic as well. It
was something called Sonar Clicking, and he was using it without even
knowing! Basically, Sonar Clicking is the art of producing verbal
clicks in order to get echoes from surroundings. This is a
wonderful thing for the blind. It not only enables the
identification of surroundings, it also makes the identification of
objects and distances possible. In other words, something very
important. But, of course, not everyone has the natural talents that
Juan has and Sonar Clicking is something that needs to be taught.
And, it is in this sense that Juan discovered his greatest talent of
all, the art of good teaching. And, so it was, by becoming and being
himself, he took off and went into the world to do good.
And,
he has come a very long way from his Mexican roots. With most of the
world in his pocket he is now in Vienna at the BBS, a school for
children with disabilities, where he is training the trainers to
teach Sonar Clicking. And it isn't only the learners who benefit.
There are parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and
uncles, teachers, and friends, and-so-on. The list is endless. But,
of course, it is the blind youngsters who stand to gain most. Sonic
Clicking not only gives a sharpened sense of awareness, it also
provides a more than firm base for life in the future, thus making it
easier for parents to let go! And, Juan is the one to be thanked!
Wherever
he goes he leaves a trail of compassion. He is a boom to the people
he touches and there are many who can't wait to see him again. And,
it is thanks to him that there are now many who are no longer just
listening, but composing and conducting as well. There is a fullness
in life, and Juan is one of the few who has passed on the key!
