Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How do you handle this with dignity, respect, and unmost grace? (self.Blind)
submitted by ENTJ351
Hello all!
Background. I am a 25 years old female studying for political science and communications. I am very academic, travel around Los Angeles and Orange county, and is fairly well known in my community. I am rather independent. I really don’t mind help or people asking if I need help.
What I have an issue is is when people come up to me as if I was about 4 years old, or very incapable. “Where do you need to go now” Can I help you to a seat and you can sit down and wait to be picked up” “Where is your ride or the person who will come and get you” and all this is said in this condescending baby voice.
I was either standing there for a minute or just asked a simple question like “where is the table with the donuts?” “Can someone describe to me please what kind of. Refreshment is available?” Or “can someone get me a glass of water?” I usually do this especially all those questions besides the first near the refreshment table. Some mothering, doughting lady comes over and tries to help. Some guys too, but more ladies. Yesterday for instance this person was helping me and my friends stepdad who went to the same church caome up to me to tell me that he was sorry to tell me but my friend was ill at home today and wasn’t going to be there. The lady asked him whether he was taking care of me. Hahaha!
I can usually deal with it, walk away and it usually rarely happens but it seems to happen more at this church I am now going to.
What do I have to say to these people to make them understand? I try to tell them of how capable I am or please treat me as a normal person, but this seems all but impossible. Yes I may have a difficult time navigating the huge lobby, because it’s big and that also It’s just my fourth week at the church. Otherwise I am pretty capable. I also tend to be a mindless blind person and get lost not because I am blind, but because I am in my head and not paying any mind. Hahaha!
Background. I am a 25 years old female studying for political science and communications. I am very academic, travel around Los Angeles and Orange county, and is fairly well known in my community. I am rather independent. I really don’t mind help or people asking if I need help.
What I have an issue is is when people come up to me as if I was about 4 years old, or very incapable. “Where do you need to go now” Can I help you to a seat and you can sit down and wait to be picked up” “Where is your ride or the person who will come and get you” and all this is said in this condescending baby voice.
I was either standing there for a minute or just asked a simple question like “where is the table with the donuts?” “Can someone describe to me please what kind of. Refreshment is available?” Or “can someone get me a glass of water?” I usually do this especially all those questions besides the first near the refreshment table. Some mothering, doughting lady comes over and tries to help. Some guys too, but more ladies. Yesterday for instance this person was helping me and my friends stepdad who went to the same church caome up to me to tell me that he was sorry to tell me but my friend was ill at home today and wasn’t going to be there. The lady asked him whether he was taking care of me. Hahaha!
I can usually deal with it, walk away and it usually rarely happens but it seems to happen more at this church I am now going to.
What do I have to say to these people to make them understand? I try to tell them of how capable I am or please treat me as a normal person, but this seems all but impossible. Yes I may have a difficult time navigating the huge lobby, because it’s big and that also It’s just my fourth week at the church. Otherwise I am pretty capable. I also tend to be a mindless blind person and get lost not because I am blind, but because I am in my head and not paying any mind. Hahaha!
HotCheetosHoe 3 points 4y ago
That is tricky because they are trying to be helpful and are probably just ignorant. I think you’ll have to be firm, but not rude. Maybe something like “I really appreciate you/everyone trying to be so accommodating but it’s a bit overwhelming sometimes with everyone jumping at my rescue all the time haha. I promise if I need someone’s help I have no problem asking for it! Otherwise I’m fine. Sometimes I get a little absent minded just like everyone else, but it doesn’t always mean I’m having trouble.”
KillerLag 3 points 4y ago
Unfortunately, not everyone is the most understanding. Sometimes, you have to roll with the punches and just say you are doing fine. If they can, you can ask for specific help and turn down the other help (it depend son the situation, though). You mentioned that this happens at a church, so people may be trying to be helpful. Is it very crowded as well?
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