Upon checking into the airport recently I was asked this question rather awkwardly. At first, I was so confused what she was asking me then she added 'with your eyes'. Then I realized she was asking me if I was legally blind! Yes, I said I am blind! Bless her ... she was so worried about asking me that!
Another experience on the flip side while interviewing a new therapist for our office occurred. She was surprised to see my dog in the corner, and I gave her a brief intro and we proceeded with the interview. She had spoke with three colleagues in my office prior to the interview -- they all had shared different attributes about me none of which were that I was blind. For some reason that surprised me a bit, and one of them noted - its just not something I even think about.
As I have pondered these two very different scenarios, I am reminded that blindness initially may seem like a dominant characteristic tp someone but as we get to know the individual it becomes simply one of many characteristics of that person.
Your thoughts or experiences?
The journeys of Becky, blind from retinitis pigmentosa, and her beauitiful guide dogs.
5 comments:
I was once at dinner with Sharon and the waitress had no idea she was blind. Sharon did not believe me until we were leaving and little miss Truth was making her way out from under the table. The waitress was shocked...and I got to say "I told you so!"
I can relate to both of your stories as I meet both types of people all the time. Usually most don't make a big deal that I'm blind, but I hate when some mention it straight away like its the most important thing they need to know about me.
I enjoy seeing people's reactions when they suddenly realise and get very embarrassed. A taxi driver once refused to let me into his car because he said I was too drunk and would throw up all over it. I told him that I was blind not drunk and he was mortified. The more I laughed the more embarrassed he got.
If we didn't have a sense of humour we'd probably go insane.
Oh yes, the stories I could tell.... Sadly, there are those people for whom my blindness is the dominating thing they focus on and for whatever reason they just can't ever seem to "get over" it. But luckily I've also known lots of people who could think of many other details to tell you about me before it would ever cross their minds to mention that particular one.
Thanks for your comments and experiences we can relate to -- :D
Yes Becky. . .for a few years I even defined myself by my inability to see.Then I spent sometime 'hiding' there. Yoga has revealed my true nature to me. I am so much More than my blindness. Thank God!
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