Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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I’m sorry if this is a dumb question, I didn’t know where to post it. (self.Blind)
submitted by Chad_JH
I met this guy and he is blind (he has this disability card that says blind on it and gets payments for it). However he doesn’t walk with a cane and doesn’t have a dog and looks at me when I’m talking to him. If it weren’t for his eyes looking different and him having the card (I saw it as he got it out to show ID for something), I wouldn’t have known.
If he can’t see how does he do this?
Would it be rude to ask him questions about being blind?
I’m sorry again if I’m being ignorant.
If he can’t see how does he do this?
Would it be rude to ask him questions about being blind?
I’m sorry again if I’m being ignorant.
-shacklebolt- 11 points 4y ago
Most blind people are not 100% completely blind, but severely visually impaired.
Definitions vary somewhat by where you are, and some countries have subcategories that others don't. In the US for example, vision worse than 20/200 (in your best eye, wearing proper glasses if you need them) or a visual field of 20 degrees or less is considered legal blindness.
Roughly speaking, 20/20 vision means the ability to see with a normal amount of clarity. Someone with 20/200 vision, then, would be able to see at 20 feet away what a person with normal 20/20 vision would be able to see at 200 feet away.
Some legally blind people have enough vision they feel confident walking without a cane, or only use a cane in certain situations. Some may have disorders that significantly impact their ability to see in bright light or in dark conditions, so only use a cane sometimes. Someone with a restricted visual field might feel comfortable without a cane, or only use a cane sometimes.
Some might really need a cane, but just not be ready to use one yet.
If it would be rude to ask this guy questions about his vision highly depends on your relationship to him. If you're a friend, ask him if it's okay to ask some questions. If you're a stranger, it's probably rude.
Definitions vary somewhat by where you are, and some countries have subcategories that others don't. In the US for example, vision worse than 20/200 (in your best eye, wearing proper glasses if you need them) or a visual field of 20 degrees or less is considered legal blindness.
Roughly speaking, 20/20 vision means the ability to see with a normal amount of clarity. Someone with 20/200 vision, then, would be able to see at 20 feet away what a person with normal 20/20 vision would be able to see at 200 feet away.
Some legally blind people have enough vision they feel confident walking without a cane, or only use a cane in certain situations. Some may have disorders that significantly impact their ability to see in bright light or in dark conditions, so only use a cane sometimes. Someone with a restricted visual field might feel comfortable without a cane, or only use a cane sometimes.
Some might really need a cane, but just not be ready to use one yet.
If it would be rude to ask this guy questions about his vision highly depends on your relationship to him. If you're a friend, ask him if it's okay to ask some questions. If you're a stranger, it's probably rude.
GrumpyFinn 4 points 4y ago
I'm the same. No cane or dog but I'm almost totally blind. If we're born this way we learn to adapt.
Chad_JH [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I hope I don’t sound offensive, but to me that is amazing. How can you go anywhere and not be able to see but be able to give people eye contact etc.?
angelcake 3 points 4y ago
My partner is like this. Legally blind, not completely blind but close to it. Looking at him, watching him move, you would never know he’s blind. He does have an identification cane but he mostly uses that to get buses to stop for him. It really is amazing and I have a tremendous amount of respect for how well he does on his own. He’s incredibly independent.
Amonwilde 3 points 4y ago
This is basically me. I am 20/800, have a cane but don't really use it. I just got a new job and I think only my boss knows I'm blind and he forgets 80% of the time.
Bachelor-pad-72 1 points 4y ago
Hey not a dumb question at all, asking questions is totally fine. If you know him a little bit and they are just not out of nowhere either way it’s fine, probably better if you know him a little bit. If he reacts badly and you have asked in a friendly and polite way then it is his problem his insecurities.
I am a mail and I enjoy it when people ask questions, I am brace the opportunity to spread information and hey I might make a new friend or two
I am a mail and I enjoy it when people ask questions, I am brace the opportunity to spread information and hey I might make a new friend or two
MonocularMichelle 1 points 4y ago
Yes I have to wear an eyepatch because I have double vision. But my other eye is visually impaired too going from dark to light or if there is some quick movement or too many people. I can’t see the ground well and have no depth perception. People see my one eye and they assume I can see. In the airport they might say ‘go take a seat over there’ and all I see is a blob. I have to tell them I can’t see before they get it. I can see three feet in front of my face but after that not so good. In my house or places I know I can walk around with my eyes closed. I only use a stick in airports or crowded train stations etc.
It took me a long time before I would admit I was ‘blind’ and I don’t have my disability cards yet, thinking of getting them.
It took me a long time before I would admit I was ‘blind’ and I don’t have my disability cards yet, thinking of getting them.
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