Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Myths about being blind (self.Blind)
submitted by Awaywithwords6
1 We all read Braille
2 We can see you by touching your face
3 We are deaf as well as blind
4 We can’t enjoy the movies
5 We don’t care what we look like/we are less vain than sighted people
6 Being blind means you either become a vocal coach or a massage therapist
7 We get offended at certain phrases
8 we don’t know what you look like
9. We totally want hear about that new cure from that country we didn’t know existed
10. We love debating you about whether or not we are actually blind.
11. We wear sunglasses
These are the ones I run in to.
2 We can see you by touching your face
3 We are deaf as well as blind
4 We can’t enjoy the movies
5 We don’t care what we look like/we are less vain than sighted people
6 Being blind means you either become a vocal coach or a massage therapist
7 We get offended at certain phrases
8 we don’t know what you look like
9. We totally want hear about that new cure from that country we didn’t know existed
10. We love debating you about whether or not we are actually blind.
11. We wear sunglasses
These are the ones I run in to.
razzretina 11 points 3y ago
Yes to all of those. 11 We aren’t capable of romantic attraction or relationships. 12 Conversely, we’re “easy” and will take what we can get. 13 We hate being blind and are miserable about it all the time. 14 Our lives have no value or meaning. 15 We’re saints and can’t do any wrong. 16 We would do anything to get vision and desperately want a cure. 18 Our senses are automatically better because we’re blind.
I guess these are the generally more subtle ones, but I get them a lot and I hate them.
I guess these are the generally more subtle ones, but I get them a lot and I hate them.
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 10 points 3y ago
Oh yeah I knew I was missing some lol
15. The saints or heroes thing really gets me too. Sometimes I’m pissed about my sight situation. Really wish I could drive mostly. But I am supposed to have some kind of transcendent let it be attitude about it because I’m a fucking hero for persevering anyway
Give me a break
15. The saints or heroes thing really gets me too. Sometimes I’m pissed about my sight situation. Really wish I could drive mostly. But I am supposed to have some kind of transcendent let it be attitude about it because I’m a fucking hero for persevering anyway
Give me a break
CloudyBeep 6 points 3y ago
The fact that you got out of bed this morning, had breakfast, had a shower, got dressed and found each key on the keyboard to type this—doing all of these things all by yourself—I don't know what to say. If you're not the embodiment of a miracle, I don't know what is. /s obviously.
ArwenSoAwkward 2 points 3y ago
Yes to #18! I didn’t gain super heightened senses. Though I also have to deal with the other extreme where people start screaming at me like I’ve also lost my hearing.
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
Since the release of the TV series Daredevil, blind lawyers are constantly being compared to Daredevil.
On a more serious note, in 1974 Kenneth Jernigan wrote about the 9 ways blindness has been depicted in literature: https://nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/convent/banque74.htm
On a more serious note, in 1974 Kenneth Jernigan wrote about the 9 ways blindness has been depicted in literature: https://nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/convent/banque74.htm
AnonSnowRaven 7 points 3y ago
I haven't heard about 6) vocal coach/massage therapist one. Honestly, why do people like massages or touching oily bodies is beyond me lol. I tried getting a massage once, I was so uncomfortable the whole time. My sense of smell also sucks so there goes that theory of heightened sense of smell lol. I heard about the rest though.
CloudyBeep 3 points 3y ago
I hadn't heard of vocal coach, but everyone assumes I'd be a really good musician. When I insist that I've never had much musical skill, they, without knowing me, insist that I'm just modest.
AnonSnowRaven 3 points 3y ago
It's really weird how some people try to convince you you're good at something, when you either know you're not, or you're just okay at it lol.
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
If they don't think I'm being modest, they think that I must be intellectually incapable of comprehending that I am actually "good" at whatever it is we're talking about. Because intellectual disability must be a side-effect of blindness, even though they're not a doctor. I don't need to be persuaded of anything, and they're not a motivational speaker.
Myntrith 2 points 3y ago
I'm a nuclear physicist. I've never had any training in the field, but you know ...
CloudyBeep 1 points 3y ago
So when're you gonna get that Nobel Prize thingy?
Myntrith 3 points 3y ago
I'm working on a very well-researched paper (Wikipedia and YouTube) detailing how Alfred Einstein was wrong about his theories regarding his relatives. So just as soon as I get that published ...
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
That’s hilarious. I love that
Amonwilde 2 points 3y ago
Piano tuner is also a good stereotypical blind person job. Kind of outdated, though.
_Night_Wing 4 points 3y ago
A lot of these are pretty common however maybe it's just me but I feel like I put less effort into looking "pretty" than sighted people. I take care of myself and dress fairly classy of course but I don't put on makeup unless I have to. Also the little trivial aesthetic things I choose not to concern myself over. A good friend of mine who is also visually impaired is going into massage therapy because she loves using her hands and sense of touch.
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 4 points 3y ago
I don’t wear makeup either. Just not my thing. But I have a totally blind friend who does her make up perfectly without help. It’s just preference :) glad I’m not the only one
_Night_Wing 2 points 3y ago
I admire your friend. I do it myself (I have some sight) but I always have a fully sighted person make sure my makeup looks presentable.
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
The eye makeup is what gets me. By the time I’m done I’ve jammed the wand into my cornea so many times it’s not worth it and I have a pissed off look on my face that no amount of makeup can cover up
_Night_Wing 2 points 3y ago
I can't do eyeliner. It looks like a child drew on my face. I don't bother with mascara because one of my meds' side affect is thick dark lashes.
SLJ7 3 points 3y ago
I think the one I notice most is the general inability to see us as "just people". And I have to admit I see it much more in the older generation than in people my age or under. There's still this pervasive attitude that being blind somehow separates us from something fundamental that makes us human. We're either a myth, an inconvenience, or a reminder of something terrifying. And ironically, this creates the social separation that was only imaginary before. It takes a special kind of person to overcome it and just charge into the social world like you own it. Compounded with the issues everyone in the world faces when trying to make friends in the offline world, it's no wonder we flock to the blind community.
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Another one that I’ve heard is that we all work minimum wage low skill jobs and struggle to contribute to society
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
Except for professional musicians.
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
The eye makeup is what gets me. By the time I’m done I’ve jammed the wand into my cornea so many times it’s not even worth it and I have this pissed look on my face that no amount of makeup can cover up
oncenightvaler 2 points 3y ago
My favourite one is where I had had people speak louder and slower to me because they think I am deaf as well as blind.
Another one that is common that I have seen in movies yet never real life is face touching to see what someone looks like, this was invented by some blind guy as a ploy to flirt and I doubt it even worked that well.
Another, three words: "You're so brave." I'm not brave, I do what I feel like doing, travel independently whenever I need to, use the annoying bus system because I have no other choices. When I get a job I will likely be going to and from work by bus like lots of other commuters but I will be the "brave one"
Another one that is common that I have seen in movies yet never real life is face touching to see what someone looks like, this was invented by some blind guy as a ploy to flirt and I doubt it even worked that well.
Another, three words: "You're so brave." I'm not brave, I do what I feel like doing, travel independently whenever I need to, use the annoying bus system because I have no other choices. When I get a job I will likely be going to and from work by bus like lots of other commuters but I will be the "brave one"
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Hmm to some degree it’s true we do form a picture or at least associations and experiences we’ve had with that person. The picture may not be what a typical sighted person has in mind.
ArwenSoAwkward 2 points 3y ago
-we ALWAYS need help even when we don’t ask.
I don’t know how many time I’ve had people just snatch something from and just filled it out. Or done some other task when I didn’t need or want their help.
-
I don’t know how many time I’ve had people just snatch something from and just filled it out. Or done some other task when I didn’t need or want their help.
-
CloudyBeep 3 points 3y ago
"You're going the wrong way."
adrienneE49 1 points 3y ago
Lol. I get asked don’t glasses help. Like honestly don’t you think that I would have checked to see if glasses would help?
Lately if I tell someone I am blind it goes like this:
“I have about 10% vision, and no glasses don’t help”
Lately if I tell someone I am blind it goes like this:
“I have about 10% vision, and no glasses don’t help”
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
[deleted]
scorpioshade 1 points 3y ago
Would it be fair to say that most blind people don't have racial prejudices?
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Um no I don’t think it would be fair to say that. That would be nice though. Decrease in racism is always good. But racist attitudes are much more of a personal thing and have very little to do with sight. They are learned behaviors that can be transferred over regardless of the ability level of the racist individual.
Myntrith 1 points 3y ago
If I may ask, I'm curious about numbers 4 and 8. Enjoying movies and knowing what people look like. I'm sighted, so I honestly don't know your perspective on these things, and I am honestly curious.
Obviously, movies have dialogue and sound effects. Is that what you're talking about? Or is it (I forget what the term is) movies that have the narration feature? Or is it something else? Do you enjoy movies that are more heavy on dialog than action, or do you enjoy action movies as well?
I apologize if I'm asking dumb questions, but if you're willing to accept this as a friendly question, I'm just curious.
As to the other point, in what context do you know what we look like?
Obviously, movies have dialogue and sound effects. Is that what you're talking about? Or is it (I forget what the term is) movies that have the narration feature? Or is it something else? Do you enjoy movies that are more heavy on dialog than action, or do you enjoy action movies as well?
I apologize if I'm asking dumb questions, but if you're willing to accept this as a friendly question, I'm just curious.
As to the other point, in what context do you know what we look like?
CloudyBeep 4 points 3y ago
I like watching movies and TV shows, but I only watch content with audio description. My choice about what I watch is based on whether the synopsis of the movie/show interests me, not how much dialogue the movie/show is likely to contain. I just watched a movie known for its suspense and edge-of-your-seat awe, which largely come from its visuals, but the music, sound effects and audio description allowed me to feel the emotions sighted viewers would feel.
Myntrith 1 points 3y ago
Which movie?
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 4 points 3y ago
No don’t apologize it’s great that you want to know and you’re not being rude. You got the movies thing down pretty much. I like all kinds of movies and I usually put on Netflix audio description if I’m watching an action film at home . Or I ask my siblings or friends what’s going on if we are in theaters. But yeah dialogue heavy movies are best if there’s no audio description. Really artsy independent movies with lots of great scenery and music but not a lot of dialogue kind of suck because the audio description, if there is one, is just like “Jen stares meaningfully at Alfred” what the hell does meaningfully mean!?
Ok as for the “we know what you look like” thing.... this varies lots of blind people still have some vision (light and shape perception at least) and some of us can see if we get very close to you. ALSO you can tell a lot about people from hugging them. You can tell what height they are in relation to you. You can tell the shape of their jaw, whether they’re wearing make up or perfume, What their body shape is like. Whether they’re in shape or slightly overweight we do form a picture of you in our minds.
Ok as for the “we know what you look like” thing.... this varies lots of blind people still have some vision (light and shape perception at least) and some of us can see if we get very close to you. ALSO you can tell a lot about people from hugging them. You can tell what height they are in relation to you. You can tell the shape of their jaw, whether they’re wearing make up or perfume, What their body shape is like. Whether they’re in shape or slightly overweight we do form a picture of you in our minds.
Myntrith 1 points 3y ago
Thanks! A follow-up question regarding, "We do form a picture of you in our minds." This is easy for me to imagine with people who are low-vision or who were sighted at one time. But I'm more curious about it with people who are blind from birth. Is this still true in some context? I mean, I know it wouldn't be the same way that a sighted person would form a picture, but is there any context in which its true?
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Hmm to some degree it’s true we do form a picture or at least associations and experiences we’ve had with that person. The picture may not be what a typical sighted person has in mind. It’s more like memories and experiences for me. What their presence felt like...
cuz more than a physical body, a person has a presence right? A reason you remember them
cuz more than a physical body, a person has a presence right? A reason you remember them
Myntrith 1 points 3y ago
Oh, sure, I get associations, experiences and memories. I would say it's true for everyone the the sum of an experience with a person is far more than sight. I'm intrigued about, for want of a better word, visualization. When you pick up a coffee mug, you can obviously feel its shape.
With visual artwork, a person can draw an object with detail. Color, shading, reflection, all that good stuff. A person can also draw basic line art, which just shows the shape.
So what I'm wondering is if, when a blind person feels the shape of an object, they get what might be the equivalent of a line-art visualization.
But I don't know how to ask the question in a way that makes sense to someone who's never seen line art.
With visual artwork, a person can draw an object with detail. Color, shading, reflection, all that good stuff. A person can also draw basic line art, which just shows the shape.
So what I'm wondering is if, when a blind person feels the shape of an object, they get what might be the equivalent of a line-art visualization.
But I don't know how to ask the question in a way that makes sense to someone who's never seen line art.
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I actually made a YouTube video about this and canes and guide dogs and all the reasons we don’t need help. So many people in my life and on reddit have had their humanity violated in this way.
https://youtu.be/LTCiLnGh93w
https://youtu.be/LTCiLnGh93w
samarositz 2 points 3y ago
Thanks for sharing
CloudyBeep 2 points 3y ago
When I pointed out to someone that I could walk from a certain point to another point without asking for assistance every step of the way, the person just stammered "But you—you can't see—it's just—just ask us and stop trying to be a hero." I didn't bother to ask the multitude of obvious questions that emerge from this strange line of reasoning.
Myntrith 4 points 3y ago
I've told this story here before, but in case you missed it, I used to take care of my mom, who went blind from RP, which is why I originally joined this sub.
One day, I was getting some ice from the freezer, and as I was filling my glass, I dropped an ice cube which, as they are prone to do, slid across floor and somewhere under the table.
Before I started crawling all over to find it, I just bent down a bit and scanned the floor with my eyes. Mom was in the kitchen doing something else, and after maybe half a minute or so, she asked, "Did you find it yet?"
I was like, "How in the heck ..." Just to gauge her actual understanding, I asked her, "Did I find what?"
She said, "The ice cube you dropped."
I asked, "How did you know I dropped an ice cube?"
She said, "I heard it."
Of course. Obvious, now that she said it. I felt kind of silly for not realizing that. So then I asked her, "How did you know I was looking for it?"
She said, "Because I know you wouldn't just leave it."
Again, I felt silly for asking.
One day, I was getting some ice from the freezer, and as I was filling my glass, I dropped an ice cube which, as they are prone to do, slid across floor and somewhere under the table.
Before I started crawling all over to find it, I just bent down a bit and scanned the floor with my eyes. Mom was in the kitchen doing something else, and after maybe half a minute or so, she asked, "Did you find it yet?"
I was like, "How in the heck ..." Just to gauge her actual understanding, I asked her, "Did I find what?"
She said, "The ice cube you dropped."
I asked, "How did you know I dropped an ice cube?"
She said, "I heard it."
Of course. Obvious, now that she said it. I felt kind of silly for not realizing that. So then I asked her, "How did you know I was looking for it?"
She said, "Because I know you wouldn't just leave it."
Again, I felt silly for asking.
StriderSword 1 points 3y ago
sorry i dont want to be like one of the issues in this post but how did you type that link?
Awaywithwords6 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I can see well enough to use my phone. But there is a voiceover feature and screen readers and Siri and dictation. It’s becoming easier and easier for the blind to use computers.
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
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