Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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My favorite thing about being visually impaired (self.Blind)
submitted by Chaserly
Is when someone offers me their arm/hand to guide me. I never ask though, even though I’d prefer it.
To me it’s just the greatest thing in the world.
Just wanted to share this positive thing.
To me it’s just the greatest thing in the world.
Just wanted to share this positive thing.
Sight404 12 points 4y ago
The other day, I was in a grocery store, and I had successfully located the hallway wherein the bathrooms were located. As I reached a 90 degree bend in said hallway, a store associate asked me what I was looking for. After mentioning the bathroom, she said, "You're very close; here's my arm if you'd like." I really liked that. It wasn't presumptuous and left me with an option. I know a few blind people who would be defensively repugnant in this same situation, "I'm blind, not stupid." or something to that affect. But I see it as people being helpful, not them taking pity on us 'poor blind people'. -cheers
bscross32 4 points 4y ago
When it's done like that, it's fine imo.
HDMILex 2 points 4y ago
What's the point of being a dick about someone professionally and genuinely offering help?
Just makes our community look bad, and rude. Think about the impact rudeness would have on someone who's actually being polite and wants to help.
Just makes our community look bad, and rude. Think about the impact rudeness would have on someone who's actually being polite and wants to help.
KingWithoutClothes 5 points 4y ago
You must be living in a very well-sensitized place. People in my country are very eager to help me (which is great) but they almost never offer me their arm. Since I have gone blind, I can remember maybe 1-2 people who did that. Usually people grab *my* arm and proceed to either drag me behind them, or, even worse, push me in front of them across a street or through a small alley. I can't remember the number of times I got hurt this way, thanked the person anyway (in an effort to be polite) and thought to myself afterwards how much better I would have been on my own.
ThePettyPademelon 3 points 4y ago
Thank you for sharing! My daughter (7) has been blind from birth. I am hesitant to offer assistance to people, because I’ve learned that some people are offended.
Is there a better way I can go about asking if someone needs help? My normal go-to is to introduce myself and ask if they need some assistance.
Is there a better way I can go about asking if someone needs help? My normal go-to is to introduce myself and ask if they need some assistance.
CloudyBeep 2 points 4y ago
Yeah, this is good. But you don't need to ask if they don't look lost or in need of help.
ThePettyPademelon 3 points 4y ago
I guess it’s just hard for me to decipher sometimes! With my own daughter whom is blind, my experience is a little unique. She has multiple disabilities aside from blindness, so I guess maybe it’s in my nature to want to be helpful. I suppose I’m maybe looking for that opportunity because I feel like I can empathize, and THAT’S probably where I offend.
CloudyBeep 1 points 4y ago
The way to decide is:
• If they're walking in one direction and look quite confident, don't intervene.
• If they're standing still somewhere where you would not normally stop, intervene.
• If they walk in one direction and then retrace their steps, intervene.
• If they're crossing a road and look like they will get to the other side safely, don't intervene.
• If they're crossing a road and look like they're going to hit a car or they are deviating from where they should be walking and they don't look like they know that, intervene.
• If they're walking in one direction and look quite confident, don't intervene.
• If they're standing still somewhere where you would not normally stop, intervene.
• If they walk in one direction and then retrace their steps, intervene.
• If they're crossing a road and look like they will get to the other side safely, don't intervene.
• If they're crossing a road and look like they're going to hit a car or they are deviating from where they should be walking and they don't look like they know that, intervene.
bscross32 2 points 4y ago
What you're doing seems fine to me.
Chaserly [OP] 2 points 4y ago
I think your method is perfect.
I know there are some people who sees someone struggling and don’t help at all.
A simple, “hey, do you need some help” is all that’s really needed.
I know there are some people who sees someone struggling and don’t help at all.
A simple, “hey, do you need some help” is all that’s really needed.
skycaster15 1 points 3y ago
I don't use a cane all the time but when I do and I get asked if I need help I always turn it into an opportunity to teach them the proper sighted guide technique and how to offer support in a better manner if they seemed not super confident.
HDMILex 1 points 4y ago
Maaaan. I LOVE holding hands. And you literally get to do that 99% of the time when someone's guiding you. It's just that human connection..
BlueRock956 1 points 4y ago
Hi, that’s cool the person offered their arm. I wonder, the person did confirm that you were basically by the restroom, did you take the arm or said it’s okay and continued with your independence? (No judging here)
I know that if I was in a hurry to get to the restroom, I would have said yeah, thanks, and taken a ride there.
I know that if I was in a hurry to get to the restroom, I would have said yeah, thanks, and taken a ride there.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
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