The journeys of Becky, blind from retinitis pigmentosa, and her beauitiful guide dogs.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
An Actual Conversation
We are planning a baby shower in our office (such a fun story ... to follow). Cricket and I walked to the store to buy some supplies for the party. This was the actual conversation that I had with the clerk (I promise). She rings our purchases and it was a different credit card machine so I ask her - I'm visually impaired - can you tell me what it is asking on the screen. She (with a line behind me) you are? you don't look like it. you can't see this? (I never did figure out what 'this' was). I quickly try to explain no, give my 2 second explanation of Retinitis Pigmentosa so the people behind don't have to continue to wait and ask her if she can just point me where to sign. Yes, she does. Okay we get our purchase and then she asks me - but you can still drive can't you! No, I smile, trying to be ever so patient and say Cricket find the door (thinking - quick, let's get out of here!) (I remind myself that this may be the first time she has met someone who is blind ... so kindness and patience in educating goes a long way.)
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5 comments:
Lol, you would think that the GUIDE DOG at your side would have given her a clue that you really were visually impaired! People are so funny sometimes.
WOw - i always want to ask those people, what should a visually impaired person look like? Oh dear, you responded with a lot of grace!
It's people like this that gives us all stories to tell. People who speak before they think.
What is wrong with people?
Unfortunately some people don't really stop to think what they said. I could see if this individual never seen a person that is blind and ask questions. Or some people just have in their own thought patterns what type of behaviour a blind individual does or doesn't do.
Although I did chuckle at the remark of driving. I think I would have came back and said no I don't but My dog is my driver of the day. Let the person think about it. Of course that clerk may think it's true as I had a person think my dog drives too when I had my dog hop in on the drivers side (it was in the back) but again the individual thought she was doing the driving. LOL!
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