Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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"Someone is thinking about me" (self.Blind)
submitted by pepijndevos
I want to share a story that happened over a year ago and that I never told anyone about.
I was on my way back from a trip to Apeldoorn, Netherlands, waiting at the central station for the bus back to the village where my parents live.
While I was waiting there a blind girl and her friend approached and sat next to me. After a while the blind girl received a text message to which she responded saying "Oh, iemand denkt aan mij" (Oh, someone is thinking of me) and proceeded to read the message by holding the phone 2cm from her face.
It sounded so sweet and also a bit sad. I imagined it could be really lonely to be blind.
I pass by this bus stop every time I visit my parents, and every time I briefly think of this girl. I only wish she knew someone is thinking about her.
I was on my way back from a trip to Apeldoorn, Netherlands, waiting at the central station for the bus back to the village where my parents live.
While I was waiting there a blind girl and her friend approached and sat next to me. After a while the blind girl received a text message to which she responded saying "Oh, iemand denkt aan mij" (Oh, someone is thinking of me) and proceeded to read the message by holding the phone 2cm from her face.
It sounded so sweet and also a bit sad. I imagined it could be really lonely to be blind.
I pass by this bus stop every time I visit my parents, and every time I briefly think of this girl. I only wish she knew someone is thinking about her.
[deleted] 3 points 6y ago
[deleted]
pepijndevos [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Probably, she has at least enough friends that one of them took her out that day.
-shacklebolt- 2 points 6y ago
It sounds like you're still maybe not quite getting it. Why would you assume that one of her friends "took her out" rather than them going out together, or even her taking her friend out somewhere?
Assuming she "could be lonely," that what she said (which sounds like a normal offhand comment) was sad, and that her friend must have been taking her somewhere is such a negative way to view blindness. It does not reflect the real potential that blind people have to live complete, normal, and fulfilled lives.
Assuming she "could be lonely," that what she said (which sounds like a normal offhand comment) was sad, and that her friend must have been taking her somewhere is such a negative way to view blindness. It does not reflect the real potential that blind people have to live complete, normal, and fulfilled lives.
pepijndevos [OP] 1 points 6y ago
I said it that way because it looked like a very dependant situation. She was literally led by the arm. Not that that means anything, but I would not dare say any such thing about my ex-colleague who was by all means completely independent. (and one of the best software developers in the company, pretty cool)
-shacklebolt- 1 points 6y ago
> She was literally led by the arm.
Many blind people hold onto the arm of those they are walking with as a means of keeping track of where that person is and where they are going together. It is not easy to tell where someone else is continually otherwise, especially if you are very blind.
Again, assumptions.
Many blind people hold onto the arm of those they are walking with as a means of keeping track of where that person is and where they are going together. It is not easy to tell where someone else is continually otherwise, especially if you are very blind.
Again, assumptions.
Jepstromeister 2 points 6y ago
Oh don't worry. We usually mean that in a sarcastic way. How old did she look? The reason i'm asking is because I know a lot, a lot of blind people in the Netherlands and I live there myself and i'm also blind.
pepijndevos [OP] 1 points 6y ago
That's a tough question, as it's over a year ago and I'm generally bad at judging age. But I'd say she was a few years younger than me, and I'm 25 now. So probably 18 to 22 or so. It was on a platform for buses that leave the city, so my guess would be she lives in a village around Apeldoorn.
Interesting tangential question: How do you describe people?
I think my message came out more negative than I actually feel. Maybe she is lonely, maybe not. Lot's of people, including myself sometimes, feel lonely occasionally. And it's always nice to know someone thinks of you. Even when you have lots of friends and family.
Interesting tangential question: How do you describe people?
I think my message came out more negative than I actually feel. Maybe she is lonely, maybe not. Lot's of people, including myself sometimes, feel lonely occasionally. And it's always nice to know someone thinks of you. Even when you have lots of friends and family.
Jepstromeister 2 points 6y ago
I 100 percent agree with that. I might actually know the girl your talking about here so that's awesome!
pepijndevos [OP] 1 points 6y ago
For real? The internet never ceases to amaze. Looking forward to the follow-up, whatever it might be.
Jepstromeister 1 points 6y ago
I cent her the link just now and asked her if she was it. Anne if your reading this, someone is thinking of you. Lol
DreamingTheMelody 2 points 6y ago
It's really interesting that you'd immediately think that way; I wouldn't have thought anything of that without your thought-process to prompt it. I would have just taken that as a way of speaking, but maybe I'm just weird. I don't know. You're life is what you make it though, really. I'm pretty asocial myself, but that's voluntary, and unless you're an absolute embarrassment and awkward to be around as a blind person, people will probably have the same choice. Haha. I realize this is a really awkward way of bringing you comfort, but it's just my thoughts. Make of them what you will.
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