Daniel Martin: The Most Amazing Thing

Starting my new job, I met my first client today. His name is Daniel Martin: 63, blind in one eye, slightly autistic, and deaf. I knew this job would be a change of pace from the world of corporate sales and promotion, but I didn't really know what else to expect. After one week of watching videos and reading, I was prepped to go to work for my social services center and work with the disabled. But meeting Daniel Martin was nothing like what I expected.
Daniel was standing outside waiting for us when we arrived. For the day, I was Chris' "shadow," just following him and meeting his clients as if they were my own. Chris knew some sign and had little trouble communicating with Daniel. Apparently they have formed a bond. Chris taught me a little sign, but I have a long ways to go. I managed to say a few words and phrases to Daniel, and it seemed he approved. But the real amazing part of meeting Daniel was when we went up to his apartment, to see how he lived.
Chris told me that Daniel was fascinated by glass and reflective objects. He said Daniel spent a lot of time looking through glass and playing with the prisms that reflected through it from the sunlight. I thought it was a minor detail about Daniel until I took one step into his room.
Daniel's apartment was covered in glass. There was a coffee table in the center of the room that I noticed first. It was covered, across in all ways, with little trinkets, statues, and geometric shapes-- all formed with glass. There were glass picture frames on his walls. Glass cups, wands, a magnifying glass, and other reflective objects all around the room. It was like one giant prism. As we continued in, Chris asked Daniel to show me a glass picture frame hanging on the wall. Daniel was more than happy to oblige. He hit a switch and the piece illuminated, animating a fake waterfall. I asked Chris how to sign "beautiful" and he showed me. I told Daniel it was. As we continued, Chris showed me the minor duties I would have to do once I was on my own: check Daniel's glucose log(I forgot to mention Daniel is also diabetic), check his medicine supply, and make sure Daniel's living quarters are in order. I listened, but turned to watch Daniel. Daniel had taken a seat in his recliner and picked up a cylindrical glass piece, holding it up to his good eye. He put it up right against it, entranced by the prism he was seeing out the other end. Chris continued talking but I couldn't hear him anymore. I was too focused on Daniel. It was amazing.