Why Act Like This

I just need to know something, “Why do a lot of people treat those of us who are blind like idiots?” Why am I asking? Well I lost my vision about 14 years ago and I thought that I had seen it all with being a Type One Diabetic as a child; well I hadn’t. I have had people do just about anything and everything you can imagine; none of it good; most of the time anyway.

I have been grabbed because someone thought that I would fall down a set of stairs; when I knew that they were there and that was what I was looking for in the first place. Grabbing someone at a place like that is dangerous. Save that action for a subway drop-off. If this person has other medical problems you could easily get someone hurt. In fact; I have been bruised by such an act.

Another time I was approaching a curb like those of us who are blind are trained to do and was going through making sure that there was nothing in my way when some idiot said. “You’re going to have to step up.” Now since I had already contacted the curb with my cane; I knew that the curb was there. I tried to tell this person this; well it only when from bad to worse. He then said, “You can’t see; so I need to tell you that it’s there. You obviously don’t know it’s there since you haven’t stepped up yet.” Unless this guy was blind; which I doubt he was; then it was clear that I was using my cane to check the curb to make sure I wouldn’t run into something. By the way this is done by moving the cane along the top of the curb. That didn’t seem to change his mind. This didn’t count that he was blocking my way; because I hit him with my cane.

You know what is the worst? How about Services for the Blind telling me that I would never make it through college must less get a job. Now excuse me, but isn’t that supposed to be the other way around? And they were using the fact that I was still going through losing my vision while I was at Lion’s World getting my rehabilitation training as their validation. They didn’t even let me finish my rehabilitation training. Yeah, that’s right; I had to learn a lot on my own. Oh, and by the way; when a final paper is graded and the grade turned in; I have my degree.

But my point is, “Why?” I mean would you want to be treated like this? Of course you wouldn’t. So why do it. People who want to move past their disability can do so and with great promise. People who are blind can do a lot of things and should pursue their dreams. And one thing is for sure, you shouldn’t let anyone stand in your way. And as hard as it is not to chew someone’s head off for treating you like an idiot; don’t, they’ll learn from their mistakes. When they learn, it won’t be pretty and really; I don’t wish it on them. They should learn through asking and not assuming. Stereotypical nonsense is just that; nonsense.

By: Jean Marie François
Published: 07/19/08

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@ 10:31 pm 07/20/08 by MagicAkemi

Now why would I want to treat anyone badly?? Personally, I think blind people are awesome, look at Ray Charles, Loius Braille and Helen Keller! They were all blind, but they turned out just fine, better than that actually.

But then again, if they really irritate you, you can just wack them on the head with your cane. I know thats what I'd do!

-Magic A

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@ 11:12 pm 07/21/08 by snawitz

I always treat others like I want them to treat me.
All people have some good(and all people have some bad).
I have met lots of blind people.
And all of them have been very glad and positve,even if their situation isn´t the best.

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@ 11:15 pm 07/21/08 by snawitz

I think we all shall try to treat each other as good as we can.
I´ve met lots of blind people.
And all of them have been very positive,even as their situation isn´t the best.

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@ 1:40 am 07/22/08 by SHINE

I do hope the feeling of self criticising may arise a crack in the self confidence. I do not see any blind or any other physical or mental problems people as idiots. I do appreciate many of them, hope many of them are far better than those who have got more than them. I do also heard if blind some other senstive organs may have extra power. Still I had seen successfull blind people too. Hence I do hope self confidence and will power of those successfull persons might have given a better life.

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