Pegasaurus8 6 points 3y ago
Here some advice (personal experience) as a visually impaired chick.
I’ve been with my current bf for 2+ years.
Being with a sighted/able person gives me a lot of anxiety. I often feel like a burden.
My bf reminds me all the time that he doesn’t feel that way. (He also thinks my handicap placard is a huge plus) lol.
In general:
Any sense of irritation a driver has while driving gives me anxiety because it makes me feel like “if they weren’t going out of their way for me then they wouldn’t be mad right now.” It’s hard to get out of that mindset. Just make her assured that you don’t mind taking her places if she need (but don’t go overboard to where you’re her chauffeur.)
If you go somewhere like a sit down place, nighttime is the worst. Most of these places are dimly lit. I have to use my phone flashlight and magnifier to read menus which is a pain. I’m not sure Of her visual ailments so I’d ask her if she prefers a “window seat” to have better natural light.
If you’re at a place with an overhead menu, offer to ask them for a smaller/printed menu. If not, offer to take a picture of it with your phone so she can read it better.
In these and other public situations, assure her that she can take her time. I get overly anxious when I’m on other’s time. Since I can’t drive I feel like I’m taking up their precious time since I’m on their schedule.
Oh and one of the best things about being visually impaired is that we can never be a designated driver. So yay drinks. Lol
I admit I’m overly anxious than most people buy I hope this helps.
blind_cowboy 3 points 3y ago
It all depends on her I guess. I think being blind is a bigger part of some of our identity’s than others. For example I have a deal I set out up with people where when we get out of a vehicle I ask them which direction? They can answer front my side, back your side, etc either a side and corner or just a side so I know which way we’re going. It’s happened with other people too but several times over the years my wife has started to walk off and leave me at that spot. Whenever I listen for where they’re are, catch up to them, and call them whoever it might be on it I get told crap I forget you’re blind. That would offend some some people but I kind of wear it as a badge of honor of hey I assimilate so much people don’t notice.
I guess what I’m getting in a long round about way is while I get why you came here it would be like someone who is blind coming to you and saying I wanted to take this chick who can see on a date how should I treat her. There is so much more to a person. Treat her like an equal and a human and you’ll be fine.
bradley22 3 points 3y ago
Be yourself and ask her what she wants.
rp-turtle 3 points 3y ago
My advice is to talk to her about her blindness/visual impairment if you’re curious about it. Trust me, you’re not the first one to tell her she’s blind or visually impaired so don’t treat the subject like it must be avoided at all costs. Her vision is entirely unique as no two blind people see the same thing so she will be your best resource on learning about her vision. There’s a YouTuber by the name of molly Burke who has a couple videos on dating as a blind girl. She also has tons of resources on blindness more generally. If you’re curious about how blindness intersects for dating from the perspective of a woman, I recommend starting there. Otherwise, talk to her about anything else you’re curios about. While dating her, keep in mind the notion of equity. Recognize her blindness will impact the relationship in some way somehow and be okay with that - provided you want to keep dating her and like her otherwise.
autistictechgirl1990 2 points 3y ago
Just act normal and be understanding. Don’t be like my ex, I.E, moved things about in the house and then moaned at me because I couldn’t find things in the house that had been moved
afraidofdust 2 points 3y ago
The best foundation IMO is refreshing your knowledge on consent, asking for consent, and thinking before you speak. Learning to set aside your preconceptions and listen more intently than you normally would. Many of the skills you gain will flow from this.
zersiax 1 points 3y ago
Late to the party, but hi, blind guy here.
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I agree with the general sentiment expressed here to , first and foremost, talk to her about it. Especially if she has been blind/VI for a long time, asking only shows you aren't afraid to broach the subject, which is a good thing.
Take it one step at a time where things like how to best complement her are concerned, if that's even required. She might rather do most things/everything by herself, in which case taking that out of her hands, especially without asking, can come across as extremely patronizing.
Honestly though man, the best advice I can give you is ...consider her a person first, visually impaired second and take it from there. You're hitting it off? Great. Keep doing what you've been doing, things will more than likely fall into place by themselves, just don't force them. There may be hurdles now and again but if you're both open to communicate when that happens you'll be fine.
This coming from a fully blind guy who has been with both blind and sighted partners in the past and doing just fine for himself currently :)
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
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