Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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What is the funniest or most savage thing you've said to someone who accused you of faking you blindness? (self.Blind)
submitted by autumnsovereign
Hi there. I'm pretty new to Reddit and just wanted to see what people have to say about this. I'm ready for some laughs, also just curious.
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As someone who was born legally blind and has been all my life (not totally blind but may end up losing more of my vision), I've been on the other end of people constantly accusing me of faking my blindness especially since I don't typically use my cane all the time out of anxiety and since I never had a cane until about two years ago.
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Anyway, I'm curious as what are some ways people have responded to this kind of situation because it seems like sighted people don't understand the spectrum of blindness as well as believing we can't hear them when they're talking about us.
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I'm planning to do a presentation to discuss what it's like being the only blind student on a University campus hopefully sometime soon.
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As someone who was born legally blind and has been all my life (not totally blind but may end up losing more of my vision), I've been on the other end of people constantly accusing me of faking my blindness especially since I don't typically use my cane all the time out of anxiety and since I never had a cane until about two years ago.
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Anyway, I'm curious as what are some ways people have responded to this kind of situation because it seems like sighted people don't understand the spectrum of blindness as well as believing we can't hear them when they're talking about us.
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I'm planning to do a presentation to discuss what it's like being the only blind student on a University campus hopefully sometime soon.
without_nap 22 points 3y ago
oh, totally.
I haven't yet (I'm bad at confrontation -- most of the time I just walk away), but the one I've heard is:
"you don't look blind."
"well, you don't look dumb, but here we are."
I haven't yet (I'm bad at confrontation -- most of the time I just walk away), but the one I've heard is:
"you don't look blind."
"well, you don't look dumb, but here we are."
ARawpper 2 points 3y ago
Wow. I am not a blind person, but that is one of the best come-backs ever. It should make the other person think, retrospect.
I will use this in my own life from now on when someone says "you don't look like you have Aspergers or ADHD etc."
Thank you.
I will use this in my own life from now on when someone says "you don't look like you have Aspergers or ADHD etc."
Thank you.
autumnsovereign [OP] 2 points 3y ago
Honestly same! I am blind, but also have some other internal medical conditions that are very often overlooked and people always assumes that I'm perfectly healthy.
ARawpper 1 points 3y ago
I want to say, you are perfectly healthy. But yes, you are different neurologically from them so it seems unhealthy in comparison to the "norm". But from how you think I am going to say you are 100% healthy. :) Sucks that people seem so surprised when you mention a "disability" as if they thought someone who is blind wouldn't be just like them, just unable to look at the horribly tacky reality TV. You should be thankful for that btw, I saw a clip from one pop up on trending and I actually started questioning what reality I was in. My reality isn't that reality. Peace.
chrystalalex 2 points 3y ago
Hahaha. I'm so gonna use that one.
Sarinon 12 points 3y ago
Welcome!
I'm fortunate in that I often look like how people think blind people should look so I don't often get that. When I do I typically take it as a compliment that I'm doing a good job appearing capable and competent.
I did have an obnoxious girl at uni once stage whisper to her friend about me while standing right behind me. I told her I'm blind not deaf, but you sound like an ugly person.
Probably a bit harsh and future me regrets it, but I won't pretend it didn't feel good to stand up for myself.
I'm fortunate in that I often look like how people think blind people should look so I don't often get that. When I do I typically take it as a compliment that I'm doing a good job appearing capable and competent.
I did have an obnoxious girl at uni once stage whisper to her friend about me while standing right behind me. I told her I'm blind not deaf, but you sound like an ugly person.
Probably a bit harsh and future me regrets it, but I won't pretend it didn't feel good to stand up for myself.
IndicesiveShape 1 points 3y ago
No need to feel the guilt here. You stood up for yourself and that’s good
8i8oio 9 points 3y ago
It hasn’t happened to me yet either, but I tend to return questions with questions ~ because so few people think things through.
“You don’t look blind”
“What do you think blind people look like?”
Or
“Do you know any?”
“Yes”
“Do they like this question?”
Etc.
Depend on the integrity of their answers, I can be kind or cruel. I try to see it as fixing their manners so they won’t hurt someone more fragile than me.
“You don’t look blind”
“What do you think blind people look like?”
Or
“Do you know any?”
“Yes”
“Do they like this question?”
Etc.
Depend on the integrity of their answers, I can be kind or cruel. I try to see it as fixing their manners so they won’t hurt someone more fragile than me.
razzretina 3 points 3y ago
I’ve done this too! Someone said I didn’t look blind (I was out with my guide dog and wearing my very big, dark sunglasses). So I just asked what I was supposed to look like out of genuine curiosity. It became an interesting conversation.
autumnsovereign [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I agree! I'm not exactly offended by them saying this kind of stuff (kind of annoys me though and it does set off anxiety about not being blind enough and stuff), but it just gives me a chance to educate others, because most of the time, its the representation and perception.
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
Sighted people have no idea what blind is in the first place, so try not to take their misconceptions to heart. :) I used to have the same worries because all of us who are extreme low vision kind of get crapped on by teachers, peers, and sometimes other blind people and it makes us feel like we don't belong anywhere. But we do and you can wear that blind badge loud and proud! Some people will never get it and those are the ones who will make an ass of themselves in public all on their own. :D
autumnsovereign [OP] 2 points 3y ago
That’s why I’m planning to do a presentation in front of staff and students here at my University about what it’s like being blind!
8i8oio 1 points 3y ago
Yeah!!! It really can turn interesting :) and it keeps me from instantly assuming they are horrible, haha! Win win!
KE5TR4L 8 points 3y ago
I have lost my temper and whacked someone across the shins with my red and white cane, didn’t shut them up but I felt better.
Don’t recommend that route though
I usually just ask where they got their optometrist degree and how long they have been practicing medicine
Don’t recommend that route though
I usually just ask where they got their optometrist degree and how long they have been practicing medicine
autumnsovereign [OP] 1 points 3y ago
The amount of times I get that from a friend is hilarious "You can whack people with it, that's what its used for!" It's pretty funny, but I'm not a person who does that (while some people do need a good whacking).
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Also, that degree one is golden. I like that.
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Also, that degree one is golden. I like that.
bokehblind 3 points 3y ago
I have gotten "You don't look blind"
I want to respond with "I don't LOOK at all" but I normally just say "Oh.. Okay" like what can you say?
I want to respond with "I don't LOOK at all" but I normally just say "Oh.. Okay" like what can you say?
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
Haha, that’s a good one and I recommend just saying it. :) People open up if you can startle or shock a laugh out of them.
BlindOwl12 2 points 3y ago
Just agree with them that your not blind, do something to prove conclusively that you are and take the Conversation from there, people always get confused if u do that
AmAsabat 2 points 3y ago
I’ve had a couple of time from students with the you do t look blind but normally respond you don’t look like you’re going to fail my course but maybe we’re both wrong
codeplaysleep 2 points 3y ago
I don't experience this often, but some sales person was trying to sell me something once - I don't even remember what it was, since this was maybe 20 years ago. He was being pushy and annoying and finally I told him I couldn't see it and wasn't interested, because I was blind and wouldn't be able to see it. This resulted in "You don't look blind." The guy was being a pushy jerk and said it with a lot of attitude.
My response: "Maybe I could see it if I tried harder. Here, let me get a closer look...." I then removed my prosthetic eye and held it up to the thing.
My dad was with me and I thought he was going to explode from barely contained laughter until the guy walked away.
My response: "Maybe I could see it if I tried harder. Here, let me get a closer look...." I then removed my prosthetic eye and held it up to the thing.
My dad was with me and I thought he was going to explode from barely contained laughter until the guy walked away.
autumnsovereign [OP] 1 points 3y ago
That is golden! Honestly that made me laugh because I can only imagine what the guy’s reaction was.
Kironity 1 points 3y ago
Tbh, I don't go anywhere without trusted person. Just because I'm sick of dealing with people and their way of thinkig about me.
Like going to grocery store to do some lame everyday shopping, but to me it's always ME who needs to give way to other people, who are healthy and they can see everything clearly.
And if I walk and accidentally touch them (bcos I can't see clearly) they look me like I'm some kind of creep and sometimes I hear them say: 'hey! Fuck watch where you're going" or "you use eyes much?" or "are you fcking blind!?'
Haha, yes. I'm blind and other peeps doesn't care about it.
And so, bcos of that I don't care anymore. 👌
Like going to grocery store to do some lame everyday shopping, but to me it's always ME who needs to give way to other people, who are healthy and they can see everything clearly.
And if I walk and accidentally touch them (bcos I can't see clearly) they look me like I'm some kind of creep and sometimes I hear them say: 'hey! Fuck watch where you're going" or "you use eyes much?" or "are you fcking blind!?'
Haha, yes. I'm blind and other peeps doesn't care about it.
And so, bcos of that I don't care anymore. 👌
razzretina 1 points 3y ago
Honestly I don’t encounter this much at all and when I do, it’s from someone who is being threatening and wouldn’t listen anyway.
In general I just approach every situation with a blind joke or quip on hand. There are some things I hear so often that I just have an automatic response to them
In general I find that people don’t really want to question my blindness or whatever disability they think I might have. It seems to unsettle them having to admit they’re in the presence of a live blind person.
In general I just approach every situation with a blind joke or quip on hand. There are some things I hear so often that I just have an automatic response to them
In general I find that people don’t really want to question my blindness or whatever disability they think I might have. It seems to unsettle them having to admit they’re in the presence of a live blind person.
matt_may 1 points 3y ago
It’s not poetry but I’ve told someone who was being aggressive about it to F off
K-R-Rose 1 points 3y ago
I’m legally blind, but haven’t encountered any of this. I’m really bad at telling others about my disability, especially if I need help. I like to think I blend in pretty well, except when I make myself look like an idiot. So a lot of people think I’m clueless, rather than thinking I’m faking blindness.
autumnsovereign [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I can definitely relate to this. As I said, I'm not totally blind either, but I often get "They weren't blind like a minute ago" Mainly because they see me using my phone and then pull out my cane or use it when I didn't use it a while before.
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