Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Something I do when kids ask if I’m blind (self.Blind)
submitted by wishiwasmegmccaffrey
Hi everyone!
I’m a 17 year old legally blind girl that still have some sight left. Enough sight to walk in the city by myself with my cane without any issues. I often cross paths with children with a parent/other adult when walking. And some children like to ask their parent: ”Is she blind?”, referring to me (I guess).
What the child and the parent is expecting is that I’ll just keep walking as if I didn’t hear them or I’m walking off getting hurt by the kid’s question. Then the embarrassed parent will quietly tell their child how rude and inappropriate their question was.
But instead of walking off as if I didn’t hear them, I turn around, smile and say “Yes!”. Then the kid gets surprised I heard them and the parent gets even more embarrassed because I heard their kid!
I just like to do the unexpected and see (you get it) their horrified expressions that I didn’t do what they expected of me.
I don’t think it’s wrong for a child to ask questions and comment things. How else will they learn? And I have no problem with kids asking me directly either. If we hush a child asking a question, we kill their curiosity and their desire to learn. And if I have the answers I should tell them!
Do you think this is a cool thing to do or is it just too weird?
I’m a 17 year old legally blind girl that still have some sight left. Enough sight to walk in the city by myself with my cane without any issues. I often cross paths with children with a parent/other adult when walking. And some children like to ask their parent: ”Is she blind?”, referring to me (I guess).
What the child and the parent is expecting is that I’ll just keep walking as if I didn’t hear them or I’m walking off getting hurt by the kid’s question. Then the embarrassed parent will quietly tell their child how rude and inappropriate their question was.
But instead of walking off as if I didn’t hear them, I turn around, smile and say “Yes!”. Then the kid gets surprised I heard them and the parent gets even more embarrassed because I heard their kid!
I just like to do the unexpected and see (you get it) their horrified expressions that I didn’t do what they expected of me.
I don’t think it’s wrong for a child to ask questions and comment things. How else will they learn? And I have no problem with kids asking me directly either. If we hush a child asking a question, we kill their curiosity and their desire to learn. And if I have the answers I should tell them!
Do you think this is a cool thing to do or is it just too weird?
Amonwilde 38 points 2y ago
If you get something out of it, go for it. You might also try shouting, "Wait...I'm BLIND??? That explains so much!" in a really surprised voice.
morganbkeaton 6 points 2y ago
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
kissitallgoodbye 20 points 2y ago
I do this when Im out with my cane too (also very partially sighted)
Once I had a little girl ask me why I had it, so I got down to her level and explained that I can't see very well so it helps stop me from running into things and getting hurt. Her mom was a bit embarrassed and apologized but I don't mind.
Once I had a little girl ask me why I had it, so I got down to her level and explained that I can't see very well so it helps stop me from running into things and getting hurt. Her mom was a bit embarrassed and apologized but I don't mind.
ira_finn 19 points 2y ago
Telling kids to hush and not talk about disabilities also teaches them that disability is shameful, shouldn't be acknowledged, is scary/forbidden, etc. Really not a good way to go
je97 14 points 2y ago
It's a great idea. If you're a kid and I'm not in a rush, you can give me your full '20 questions to ask a blind guy.' It's not offensive, it helps build more understanding people down the line.
[deleted] 7 points 2y ago
[deleted]
TheBlindBookLover 7 points 2y ago
I think that this is a great idea.
Specific_Offer4800 6 points 2y ago
I always say hello to the kids who ask parents questions, most of the time parents don’t know the answers so I end up educating both parents and kids at the same time.
I think this is needed as there are no disability awareness classes in schools, and kids that grow up not understanding disabilities end up being the adults who stare at us. I would rather have an informed population.
I think this is needed as there are no disability awareness classes in schools, and kids that grow up not understanding disabilities end up being the adults who stare at us. I would rather have an informed population.
jenncork 6 points 2y ago
I think it's a great response. And if the opportunity allows, an additional, "that's a great question" helps put parents at ease, too.
DrillInstructorJan 5 points 2y ago
I hate to come off as all leaden and worthy but you can do quite a bit of good in situations like this by having conversations with people. I've done it on trains and ended up having half hour conversations that often get quite personal but screwit, I'd rather walk away knowing the people I was talking to now think more of blind people.
AlwaysLilly 4 points 2y ago
I think it’s a great idea. I’m pretty open with my kids about how my hearing and vision issues affect me. I read a graphic novel about a girl who’s deaf (El Deafo) which was a great way to tell them about how blindness/deafness etc is a spectrum.
BlindAaron 2 points 2y ago
If a kid asks me if I’m blind, depending on the situation I tell them either “I didn’t eat all my veggies as a kid” or “God made me blind because otherwise I’d be too powerful”
nowwerecooking 2 points 2y ago
omg I love this
Y_am_I_balding 1 points 2y ago
My heart weeps for you.
wishiwasmegmccaffrey [OP] 2 points 2y ago
What do you mean with that?
Y_am_I_balding 1 points 2y ago
I am very sorry to know that you are going through this.
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