Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity

There's an old joke I've heard that goes something like light travels faster than sound, which is why some people seem bright until you hear them speak.

I've had people treat me like I'm mentally disabled or treat me like a child loads of times, but I tend to be articulate enough in my responses that they drop that crap pretty fast.

"Do you need help finding something, sweetie?"

"Oh, no. I'm just indecisive about whether I want to go through the effort of hiding a package of oreos from my roommates so I can enjoy more than six before they descend upon them like a pack of wolves on a wounded gazelle."

"Oh...okay."

​

Let them think you're *weird.*

Don't ever let them treat you like you're stupid.

"I'm blind, not stupid."

Way too nice, probably not much. If you keep interacting they will probably tone it down over time.

If they treat the blind person as a child or stupid then confront it directly. I do not answer questions for my wife when she is present. If addressed about her or asked to make a decision on her behalf I immediately make it clear that the person should address her, not me. If asked to read or approve something for her I will read it aloud and make it clear the decision is hers, not mine and that I am only serving as assistance.

Autonomy is incredibly important. I insist on mine being respected and I will do the same for anyone else. I am frustrated that it is still the case that whenever I accompany my wife on any medical visits that the providers will still routinely immediately defer to me and address me rather than their patient. I understand that there are some barriers such as inability to read print but the reflexive immediate ignoring of the blind person when there is anyone else they can address is very frustrating and common experience for most blind people.

I went out once with my wife and daughter, and the server kept asking my wife if I needed anything, instead of simply asking me. I had already spoken to her, so she had no reason to think that I couldn't answer her. I've been manhandled in attempt to guide me where they think I'm going. There is some hope though, I have had people politely ask if I need some help and handled it with grace when I declined.

Random person: hey are you looking to get somewhere? (Puts hand on my arm)
Me: nah, I’m fine thanks.
Random person: are you sure, I’m happy to help.
Me: (feeling belligerent at this point, didn’t take long lol) I’m perfectly fine, just chilling here waiting.
People usually leave at that point, it takes a special one to stay after being rejected twice.
On another note, someone tried to pray over me once, don’t think it did much though.

I'd say look at me, DO I look like I'm 3? Listen to me, does it seem as if i comprehend the things you say to me? OK, I've just disproved Darwin's theory of Natural Selection, because it hasn't worked on you and it should have... I would, but then I'd be making the obligatory post on AITA.

After the calm approach, simply interacting with them as a normal human being or maybe providing some slight explanation because people genuinely don't know, my fallback is to take a more heavy-handed stance usually in the form of sarcasm. Quite a few folks need a demonstration to back up the talk.