Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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BBC News: Spikes - and other ways disabled people combat unwanted touching (bbc.co.uk)
submitted by vwlsmssng
razzretina 9 points 3y ago
An excuse to dress like a Mad Max character, yes! But seriously, I would absolutely put spikes on my shoulders, elbows, arms, and guide dog handle in a heartbeat if it really stops people from grabbing me. I guess this is one reason to be glad my guide dog tends to grumble at strangers; it keeps them away.
changeneverhappens 8 points 3y ago
I went to a white cane day celebration today and watched the MC/host grab every visually imapired speakers' elbow unprompted in an attempt to assist them off the stage as they walked off. It was so painful to watch, especially since it tended to actually mess with their balance. I'm glad your dog is grumbly. There's too many people who want to pet them.
razzretina 3 points 3y ago
Oh. My god. Grabbing people on stairs is The Worst! Don't do it! It's so freaking dangerous! I've almost had someone pull me down a flight of stairs by my cane. It needs to stop. I understand wanting to show people where the stairs are, but you can do that with your mouth, by talking. Ugh.
bigblindmax 3 points 3y ago
> I went to a white cane day celebration today and watched the MC/host grab every visually imapired speakers' elbow unprompted in an attempt to assist them off the stage as they walked off. It was so painful to watch, especially since it tended to actually mess with their balance.
Good lord, imagine disempowering people like that at an event that’s supposed to be the exact opposite. I really hope someone set him straight right then and there.
Good lord, imagine disempowering people like that at an event that’s supposed to be the exact opposite. I really hope someone set him straight right then and there.
changeneverhappens 3 points 3y ago
That was the worst part of it, seeing that it happened even at such an event. Unfortunately from talking to people about he seems to be known for that...which is mind boggling to me because it means that no one has ever corrected him.
He was an awful MC for a variety of reasons but that definitely the biggest issue.
He was an awful MC for a variety of reasons but that definitely the biggest issue.
vwlsmssng [OP] 8 points 3y ago
Dress the dog Mad Max style. When anyone gets to close start muttering about "Please Max, at least make it quick and less painful this time".
Bonus points if your guide dog "helpfully" puts out a non existent fire on the strangers jeans. Can you train a guide dog to do that?
Bonus points if your guide dog "helpfully" puts out a non existent fire on the strangers jeans. Can you train a guide dog to do that?
razzretina 3 points 3y ago
Hahaha! I wish I could do that. XD At least she grumbles and growls at people who stare at us like creeps.
BenandGracie 6 points 3y ago
I must be the only person who doesn't get touched all that offten. Maybe it is because I live in a small town, but I have been grabbed once in the last 8 years. I didn't even know people got touched and pushed around all that offten.
impablomations 7 points 3y ago
Same here. Only time I've ever had someone grab my elbow was a nurse in the eye dept of a hospital who should have known better.
She grabbed the elbow of the arm that was holding my walking stick, which unbalanced me made me fall and I nearly faceplanted onto the metal seating in the waiting area.
When I told my consultant, he let out a chain of expletives that would make a sailor proud. lol
She grabbed the elbow of the arm that was holding my walking stick, which unbalanced me made me fall and I nearly faceplanted onto the metal seating in the waiting area.
When I told my consultant, he let out a chain of expletives that would make a sailor proud. lol
BenandGracie 3 points 3y ago
I have a friend who uses crutches to walk, and he once got picked up and carried up some steps without being asked first.
ilivetofly 3 points 3y ago
I once witnessed a woman in a wheelchair get hip-bounced/rolled out the way becaude she was looking at an item that another lady sans wheelchair wanted to look at.
Idk but that lady would've real upset if I then came over and pushed her ass to the ground so I could look at that brand of cheese.
Idk but that lady would've real upset if I then came over and pushed her ass to the ground so I could look at that brand of cheese.
GinAndBitterLemon 1 points 3y ago
That happened to me in a supermarket once. I had a broken leg and was using one of the wheelchairs the supermarket provides. Excuse me for choosing a bag of onions.
vwlsmssng [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I think that when you live in big cities you just interact with more people and a lot of those people are the kind who think they are busy and in a hurry. Small town people are more laid back.
Another thing to consider is that having self-control taken away from anyone is very disturbing and disturbing things are memorable. So even if it happens rarely it sticks in your mind.
Another thing to consider is that having self-control taken away from anyone is very disturbing and disturbing things are memorable. So even if it happens rarely it sticks in your mind.
bigblindmax 5 points 3y ago
This only happens to me occasionally, but it’s always an unpleasant shock when it does.
That goes double for people who grab my cane. Grab my elbow and I’ll shake you off and politely say I don’t need help. Grab my cane and I might take a swing at you. That’s like grabbing someone’s leg, it prevents escape. You just don’t fucking do that to people.
I can only imagine how much worse this would be if I was a woman, people are right to take precautions.
That goes double for people who grab my cane. Grab my elbow and I’ll shake you off and politely say I don’t need help. Grab my cane and I might take a swing at you. That’s like grabbing someone’s leg, it prevents escape. You just don’t fucking do that to people.
I can only imagine how much worse this would be if I was a woman, people are right to take precautions.
bokehblind 5 points 3y ago
I shaved half my head. People ask me why and though it's partially because I love it it's also because I want to look intimidating. I'm losing my vision and I don't want people to mess with me.
It's kinda silly but... 😬🤷♀️
It's kinda silly but... 😬🤷♀️
ElfjeTinkerBell 2 points 3y ago
Modern problems call for modern solutions.
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 3y ago
I'm tiny and more or less anyone could probably pick me up and carry me if they wanted to.
A few people have said it doesn't happen to them very often. I guess I'm one of those people. In terms of being grabbed unannounced by random strangers it happens maybe once or twice a year and it's never got beyond the point of letting out an aggrieved "hey, do you mind" and they run off. I wonder if it's body language. I am told I don't look blind which is great and I put at least a bit of thought into that. I don't want to look weird or helpless for all kinds of reasons. Obviously that's not an excuse for anyone's behaviour but if I am succeeding in not looking unusual, perhaps that is why I don't get grabbed, in which case fine.
A few people have said it doesn't happen to them very often. I guess I'm one of those people. In terms of being grabbed unannounced by random strangers it happens maybe once or twice a year and it's never got beyond the point of letting out an aggrieved "hey, do you mind" and they run off. I wonder if it's body language. I am told I don't look blind which is great and I put at least a bit of thought into that. I don't want to look weird or helpless for all kinds of reasons. Obviously that's not an excuse for anyone's behaviour but if I am succeeding in not looking unusual, perhaps that is why I don't get grabbed, in which case fine.
vwlsmssng [OP] 2 points 3y ago
> I don't look blind
That's a whole 'nother topic in it self. It causes minor problems for someone I know who has the body language of a sighted person and the attitude at times of "what doesn't kill me .." So when they set off confidently and walk into a wall they get given some confused looks by people who thought the white stick wasn't really necessary.
That's a whole 'nother topic in it self. It causes minor problems for someone I know who has the body language of a sighted person and the attitude at times of "what doesn't kill me .." So when they set off confidently and walk into a wall they get given some confused looks by people who thought the white stick wasn't really necessary.
DrillInstructorJan 2 points 3y ago
Yeah well I'll take the occasional walling (more often a tabling or doorframing or misplaced-sneakering) in order to maintain at all times the impression that I am graceful, competent and at ease with the world. Give nothing away!
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