Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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On being found an inspiration my thoughts. (self.Blind)
submitted by soundwarrior20
Happy New Year everyone I hope this year is better than the last one for all of us :-) I am totally blind, over the years I have had a few sighted people indicate to me they find me inspirational in some way. I’ve also observed many blind people being upset and angry with hthis point of view. Although I understand this may be regarded as condescending and patronising, what we have to remember is blind people is this site is the primary sense by which many people operate by, therefore they cannot conceive what it is like to be totally blind and losing their visual sense would absolutely scare them to death. Therefore when someone tells us they find us inspirational we must show them understanding and compassion because from their perspective not having any site as an incredibly scary thing. So next time you’re going to get pissed off with somebody for finding an inspiration just take a minute to step back and look at from their perspective.
LadyAlleta 13 points 2y ago
If being told that makes you feel good then I'm glad. But I strongly disagree. Most of the time being told I'm an inspiration is not because of something I did as a person, but rather about what I am: blind.
And in several cases "you're such an inspiration" is followed up with "I would rather die than go blind." This mentality is basically saying that a life without sight is not worth living. And the fact that I didn't just die is inspiring to then.
Though if you don't mind being told that, then I'm glad.
And in several cases "you're such an inspiration" is followed up with "I would rather die than go blind." This mentality is basically saying that a life without sight is not worth living. And the fact that I didn't just die is inspiring to then.
Though if you don't mind being told that, then I'm glad.
princesspooball 3 points 2y ago
People say they would rather die than go blind because the idea of going blind is so very terrifying. I am sighted but I have many eye issues that put my vision in jeopardy. When I was diagnosed I was having panic attacks at least once a week for 3 years because I was so scared all of the time that I was going blind. We rely on our sight so much that the idea of losing it is really scary
zersiax 3 points 2y ago
That is ...not entirely the point, nor is it entirely accurate. The person, by saying that, is expressing that, in their perspective, a life without sight is not worth living. Not that blind lives in general aren't worth living.
Generally what they express is " if I were to go blind, not being blind at all, I would rather want to die". Melodramatic, for sure, but it's not necessarily a slight against all blind people.
That you are all good with it doesn't mean that everyone would be in your position, and that you are does not necessarily invalidate their point.
I'd say it would be fairer to compare this to you, already being blind, also going deaf after you've spent your lifetime working on interpreting and perceiving the world through sound to a large degree. That way, you actually compare a loss of a sense to a loss of a sense.
Generally what they express is " if I were to go blind, not being blind at all, I would rather want to die". Melodramatic, for sure, but it's not necessarily a slight against all blind people.
That you are all good with it doesn't mean that everyone would be in your position, and that you are does not necessarily invalidate their point.
I'd say it would be fairer to compare this to you, already being blind, also going deaf after you've spent your lifetime working on interpreting and perceiving the world through sound to a large degree. That way, you actually compare a loss of a sense to a loss of a sense.
ukifrit 2 points 2y ago
exactly! When people say I'm an inspiration, it's not they look at me and see talent., It's not like my judo teacher saying I did very well when I did some tricky thing. I mean people say we disabled are inspiring for walking to buy food, that's totally different situation.
LadyAlleta 2 points 2y ago
Honestly, I sometimes want to be a jerk to them.
"You're such an inspiration!"
"Oh so you know about my work? I've never met a fan before! This is so exciting!!!"
"Oh uh, no. What do you do?"
"Oh, I'm an author and I do public speaking events. Did you mistake me for someone?"
"No-no! It's just so inspiring to see someone like you!"
"Like me? What do you mean?"
4 minutes of them trying not to say I'm blind but eventually giving in.
"Oh.... So you just saw a blind person and thought their existence was inspiring?"
"YEAH!"
"I see. You know what you're right. I guess breathing is inspiring now...."
"Uh well I just could never be blind! You're so strong!"
"What do you mean you could never be blind? You just adapt to it. It's not like I decided to be blind."
"Well no no I meant that I think I would just die if I had to go through that."
"..."
"Y-you know because it's just so challenging...!"
"You know you're right. I should just go die. My life can never be fulfilling or important. How naive am I to just keep living even though I was born blind."
Seriously. It's so frustrating.
"You're such an inspiration!"
"Oh so you know about my work? I've never met a fan before! This is so exciting!!!"
"Oh uh, no. What do you do?"
"Oh, I'm an author and I do public speaking events. Did you mistake me for someone?"
"No-no! It's just so inspiring to see someone like you!"
"Like me? What do you mean?"
4 minutes of them trying not to say I'm blind but eventually giving in.
"Oh.... So you just saw a blind person and thought their existence was inspiring?"
"YEAH!"
"I see. You know what you're right. I guess breathing is inspiring now...."
"Uh well I just could never be blind! You're so strong!"
"What do you mean you could never be blind? You just adapt to it. It's not like I decided to be blind."
"Well no no I meant that I think I would just die if I had to go through that."
"..."
"Y-you know because it's just so challenging...!"
"You know you're right. I should just go die. My life can never be fulfilling or important. How naive am I to just keep living even though I was born blind."
Seriously. It's so frustrating.
ukifrit 2 points 2y ago
“You’re so strong”. Yeah, I compete sometimes, we gotta be strong. That was my first thought when I read that.
Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I am a jerk. I just throw some rude response to people who tell I’m inspiring for no reason, because usually I don’t have the patience to go through all your script lol.
Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I am a jerk. I just throw some rude response to people who tell I’m inspiring for no reason, because usually I don’t have the patience to go through all your script lol.
thicccdragon 1 points 2y ago
Blindness is consistently ranked as people's worst health fears. Over cancer, heart attacks and cognitive diseases.Yes, you heard that right. They're more afraid of losing sight than death
Sorry, but it's just the way it is. We live in a sighted world
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2017/02/20/well/the-worst-that-could-happen-going-blind-people-say.amp.html
Sorry, but it's just the way it is. We live in a sighted world
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2017/02/20/well/the-worst-that-could-happen-going-blind-people-say.amp.html
Altie-McAltface 1 points 2y ago
Losing my mind would be my number one fear, and I find it surprising that people are OK with that vs losing some sensory input.
LadyAlleta 1 points 2y ago
That doesn't mean what they say isn't hurtful or ignorant.
thicccdragon 1 points 2y ago
You've had people say they would rather die than live blind to your face? I mean, I'm guilty of preaching that every week on this sub, but noone has ever said something like that to me
LadyAlleta 2 points 2y ago
Yeah. Usually in a roundabout way but sometimes blunt. And honestly I don't know what they want me to do. If they go blind they would learn to adapt like every other blind person.
It's just irritating to have people praise you for breathing while being disabled. And it's annoying. Almost like I should explain to them why I haven't just died from being blind.
It's just irritating to have people praise you for breathing while being disabled. And it's annoying. Almost like I should explain to them why I haven't just died from being blind.
soundwarrior20 [OP] -1 points 2y ago
I understand what you’re saying but also you have to look at it from their perspective from their point of view a life without sight wouldn’t be worth living because site is there primary sense
LadyAlleta 6 points 2y ago
Under that logic, if you go deaf (your most used sense) then your life is not worth living anymore.
But honestly what do they want us to do? "Oh I went blind, guess I gotta kill myself now because my life isn't my ideal."?
But honestly what do they want us to do? "Oh I went blind, guess I gotta kill myself now because my life isn't my ideal."?
soundwarrior20 [OP] 4 points 2y ago
Of course I don’t agree with that train of thought. But for them meeting someone who is blind and independent it’s like having there world turned upside down.
retrolental_morose 3 points 2y ago
sometimes, that's just what they need.
I'm doubtless as guilty of this with disabilities or conditions I know nothing about, but I'd like to think I'd have the restraint to hold back on my gushing and the wisdom to learn from those who inspire me rather than just being awed with how they live.
I'm doubtless as guilty of this with disabilities or conditions I know nothing about, but I'd like to think I'd have the restraint to hold back on my gushing and the wisdom to learn from those who inspire me rather than just being awed with how they live.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
You can not take it that personally.
princesspooball 1 points 2y ago
You could just tell them that going blind isn't that bad, you just have to learn a new way of doing things. That's what I needed to hear when I was scared of losing my sight
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I think this can generally be a great time for education. I use it as an education type moment. Opportunist if you want to call it but yeah.
I have been highly praised and admired by both fellow blind and sighted so I think it’s this aspect of me not because I am blind. I am also a very strong and interesting person so yeah.
I have been highly praised and admired by both fellow blind and sighted so I think it’s this aspect of me not because I am blind. I am also a very strong and interesting person so yeah.
Dark_Lord_Mark 1 points 2y ago
Thank you, I appreciate your thoughts. I think I’ve evolved a bit from being angry and upset about people thinking I’m some sort of superhero from walking down the sidewalk with a cane or having a job or being a parent. However, people tall know so it’s hard to hold them in Lowell esteem. I’ve actually found myself lately comically making fun of sighted people because i’ve been noticing just how helpless they are if for some reason eyesight doesn’t get the job done. My organizational and listening skills of gotten so much better since I’ve lost my eyesight that it’s comical to listen to a family member or coworker freaking out because they can’t find their keys or whatever because they’re so used to just drop in it anywhere that they don’t even pay attention. It’s great to be able to tell them where they threw it because I heard it an hour earlier and tell him it’s on the table in the other room.
Altie-McAltface 1 points 2y ago
I've even got people saying "thank you for your service", assuming I'm a vet. I'm definitely not, I've been blind all my life, and thus can't serve in the military.
I also get that sort of "You're so inspiring" stuff tossed my way, and it's kind of frustrating because I've never seemed to inspire a hiring manager to give me a job. I am employed, but not full time, and not where I want to end up.
I also get that sort of "You're so inspiring" stuff tossed my way, and it's kind of frustrating because I've never seemed to inspire a hiring manager to give me a job. I am employed, but not full time, and not where I want to end up.
soundwarrior20 [OP] 0 points 2y ago
I completely understand what you’re saying I must omit it would be interesting to say to someone who says you inspire them so for example how about meeting up for a coffee or going out and doing some sport I’m sure after that you see how much you really inspire them :-)
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