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Blinded by Science
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What was it like when you took the blindfold off?

Photo of Michelle Geronimo  without Blindfold
Post- blindfold,Michelle initially felt dizzy and off-balance

We were in a dark room. I think it was supposed to be totally dark, but the red light had to be there for the camera. The red light hurt my eyes at first. I got dizzy all of the sudden because I was disoriented and off balance - just seeing! I couldn't even stand up really. I tried to stand up a little bit, but I had to sit down again because I would have fallen over.

I felt normal that evening. I can't explain how happy I was! I don't think I was depressed during the week, but I'm sure my spirits weren't "up, up." But that evening I was just exhilarated with everything.


Walking home, it struck me that things were so colorful. It was wonderful to see.

 

I was looking around my room, looking at my things, looking out the window and just smiling. Saturday morning, it was snowing that morning and the day was kind of stark and gray, but it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I really was appreciating everything at that moment. I wish I could keep up that level of appreciation every day. Even walking home, it struck me that things were so colorful, my hardwood floors, blues, reds, it was wonderful to see.

Would you do something like this again?

I would really consider doing it again and I have recommended it to friends. Something that's amazing about people and all living creatures in general is the concept of adaptation and survival. People can cope and learn to get around and survive and go on with everyday things. That's amazing to me. To have a glimpse of what it's like to have that experience through a study like this. I recommend it.

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