Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Being blind has its moments. Good and bad. What are some of things that are good? (self.Blind)
submitted by FlamingWhisk
Yes it sucks to lose your sight. Especially in a world that is so visually based. But are there any things, in hindsight (bad pun) that are good.
For me getting boarded first and got bumped up to first class once (flight attendant had vision issues and bigger TVs in first class)
I taste food in a more intense way. Especially salt.
My friends get in free to the movies, museums and travel free on the train
My judgement of a person’s character is much better because I listen more to how they say things in addition to what they say.
When I get a dog that pup can go everywhere with me. (Mabel is currently 8 months old and is being trained) and will give confidence when I go out
For me getting boarded first and got bumped up to first class once (flight attendant had vision issues and bigger TVs in first class)
I taste food in a more intense way. Especially salt.
My friends get in free to the movies, museums and travel free on the train
My judgement of a person’s character is much better because I listen more to how they say things in addition to what they say.
When I get a dog that pup can go everywhere with me. (Mabel is currently 8 months old and is being trained) and will give confidence when I go out
mdizak 24 points 2y ago
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This may sound a little rude, but one great benefit I find is being able to constantly say, "wish I could help, but I can't", then walking away to do my thing with no guild whatsoever.
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Lose your keys or something, and need help looking? "wish I could help, but I can't".
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Have trouble getting your computer which doesn't have a screen reader to work just like you want it to? "wish I could help, but I can't".
This may sound a little rude, but one great benefit I find is being able to constantly say, "wish I could help, but I can't", then walking away to do my thing with no guild whatsoever.
​
Lose your keys or something, and need help looking? "wish I could help, but I can't".
​
Have trouble getting your computer which doesn't have a screen reader to work just like you want it to? "wish I could help, but I can't".
Revenant624 9 points 2y ago
I know what you mean, say a friend needs help moving. Wish I could help. LOL
mdizak 4 points 2y ago
Exactly. Don't have to waste 30 mins of my life searching high and low for his keyes, only to realize they were in his pocket the whole time.
I have better things to do, lol.
laconicflow 3 points 2y ago
You could help, you don't need to steer furnature, you just need to lift it. I've helped countless people move.
Revenant624 2 points 2y ago
I know I can help, but it’s a way to get out of doing it .
laconicflow 3 points 2y ago
That's true, and we take advantages where we can find them, given their rarity.
DrillInstructorJan 3 points 2y ago
Hey. I helped us move into this place. Lifting up one end of a couch is a case of being told left a bit, right a bit even if you can see!
ChellVaquita 2 points 2y ago
That’s genius!
SirJektive 15 points 2y ago
Not seeing advertisements.
Born-1995 3 points 2y ago
Screw that. Still gotta sit through them.
grinchnight14 1 points 2y ago
Adblock saved me on YouTube
blackberrybunny 13 points 2y ago
Being able to sit in a public place and sneakily eavesdrop on everyone's conversation around you. I can hear and differentiate about three conversations at once, hahaha. Super-eavesdropping, because you are so much more focused on it.
grinchnight14 2 points 2y ago
It's the best thing to do while you're waiting for dinner. I still remember what some people at other tables have wanted to eat lol
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
Not all of us are auditory
blackberrybunny 1 points 2y ago
That's true......
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
Yes it is.
laconicflow 12 points 2y ago
I think that since I see nothing, I'm not distracted by looking at things that don't matter when talking to people. Sometimes this can be bad, because you could miss, like, a white power tattoo or something.
I also think that being blind makes it easier to play with idea's, because everything in my head is a nonvisual representation.
I also think that people pick up on the fact that you aren't judging them by how they look, and so they'll have. . . A more honest or indebth or different conversation with you then they'd have if you could see.
I mean, I'm not telling anyone to gouge their eyes out, but it does have its good points.
I also think that being blind makes it easier to play with idea's, because everything in my head is a nonvisual representation.
I also think that people pick up on the fact that you aren't judging them by how they look, and so they'll have. . . A more honest or indebth or different conversation with you then they'd have if you could see.
I mean, I'm not telling anyone to gouge their eyes out, but it does have its good points.
FlamingWhisk [OP] 6 points 2y ago
I like the way you described how you think. I lost vision in my left eye at 4 and slow but steady decline in my other one. And sometimes it ‘shorts out’ so will have no sight hours at a time. I notice during these times my hearing switches to acute. It’s weird. I can’t tell how near or far I am from something or size but I can sort of feel it based on the sounds it’s weird hard to explain. But during those times I picture nothing. It’s like part of my brain shuts off and diverts to another sense.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Not everyone is this way I am very visual and kinesthetics this is a very bad stereotype you’re kind of keeping up some of us are very visual even those of us who went blind young.
laconicflow 1 points 2y ago
I was talking about me.
BlindFuryC 9 points 2y ago
I have genuinely had several free lunches and I can only assume that it is because I’m blind. I’ve had this corroborated by other blind people. A vendor in a market, as well as a few on the house lunches at chain places. I don’t fully understand why, but I do appreciate it, and it always makes my day. I hope this doesn’t make me seem like I’m taking advantage of it.
Edit: The market vendor is the best example, as they charge my friend/colleague, but did not charge me.
Edit: The market vendor is the best example, as they charge my friend/colleague, but did not charge me.
TheNewMe20 3 points 2y ago
This lady at a pretzel place I used to go to would give me free food all the time because she liked my guide dog.
Born-1995 9 points 2y ago
Getting early boarding passes when riding in an airplane.
laconicflow 1 points 2y ago
That's fuckin great.
blackberrybunny 9 points 2y ago
Using "FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND" free postage option here in the USA. You cannot seal the envelope, I believe.
niamhweking 3 points 2y ago
Ireland has it too!
ScarReincarnated 8 points 2y ago
None. I fucking hate this.
FlamingWhisk [OP] 3 points 2y ago
I’m glad you are honest.
viciousSnowFlake 2 points 2y ago
Same. Not enjoyable.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Can’t think of that many it’s just reality. Honestly.
DrillInstructorJan 7 points 2y ago
Getting upgraded on airplanes is a definite plus that I will totally leverage any time I can get it. This is one good reason why I keep telling people, always turn up for your flights looking like a top flight banker on an important business trip. Own one good suit and wear it, face and hair done, stand up straight and look confident. That way I have been invited to go to the first class lounge where there is lots of nice food and then escorted to a seat at the front of the plane. It's worth carrying a suit bag. And normally it costs literally ten times as much.
FlamingWhisk [OP] 8 points 2y ago
I flew 1st class on British airways. That bump up was amazing. The seats folded down into a sort of sleeping pod. I slept 6 hours out of an 8 hour flight. Woke had breakfast and felt amazing when I got off the plane. I agree about dressing to travel. Not going to 1st class in sweats and a hoodie
laconicflow 5 points 2y ago
This is another thought, too. Looking like a hundred bucks when you're blind sends the message you want to send and one that being blind, its so easy to forget about.
In my head, I'm like, who cares what I'm wearing. But the answer is all the people who can see you care, they judge you on that just like we judge people on whatever it is we judge them on. . . It took me years to understand that the outfit you wear might as well be a sign exxplaining who you are and what you're about. And a suit says, "Take me seriously, I do."
In my head, I'm like, who cares what I'm wearing. But the answer is all the people who can see you care, they judge you on that just like we judge people on whatever it is we judge them on. . . It took me years to understand that the outfit you wear might as well be a sign exxplaining who you are and what you're about. And a suit says, "Take me seriously, I do."
HalfBlindAndCurious 5 points 2y ago
Being able to get into museums for next to nothing and more often than not getting u/mantolwen in for free. I'd be a net liability otherwise and nobody else would put up with my shite jokes.
Real_Space_Captain 5 points 2y ago
Wait, getting in museum cheaply? Explain more please...
HalfBlindAndCurious 5 points 2y ago
I'm in the UK and sometimes a Museum will have deals where I can go for half price And the staff are usually kind enough to put my fiancee down as a carer so she goes for free.
Terry_Pie 1 points 2y ago
In addition to OP's reply, if you ever visit Japan and can provide proof of disabilitye.g. a card or something that you'd usually use in your home country to signify such things, then present that at museums, tourist attractions etc and you and your supporter person will either get in free or for half price (depends on what and where). Touristy things in Japan are usually pretty cheap, but it adds up. But you can make big savings if you go to some of my the more expensive attractions (e.g. Tokyo Skytree).
jasondbk 2 points 2y ago
I’ve never heard of “proof of disability” cards here in the US. Although I heard of one person who made up such a card at home for travel to Germany. He had a physical disability that was easily visible.
Terry_Pie 1 points 2y ago
I'm in Australia so I can't help you on that one I'm afraid.
je97 3 points 2y ago
It's all about the half-price concert tickets.
[deleted] 3 points 2y ago
[removed]
FlamingWhisk [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I’m Canada you get a card from the cnib
niamhweking 1 points 2y ago
Some places /countries a "carer" goes free
grinchnight14 2 points 2y ago
Don't have to deal with shitty drivers on the road
Don't have to worri about colors
Don't have to learn all the forms of writing like printing or handwriting
Can't judg people by looks
Don't have to worri about staring at a screen ruining my vision, it's already gone
I can hear the funny way JAWS says some words
I can do things that other people do, just in a different way, makes me stand out from the boring people lol
Don't have to worri about colors
Don't have to learn all the forms of writing like printing or handwriting
Can't judg people by looks
Don't have to worri about staring at a screen ruining my vision, it's already gone
I can hear the funny way JAWS says some words
I can do things that other people do, just in a different way, makes me stand out from the boring people lol
FlamingWhisk [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Awesome reply
grinchnight14 1 points 2y ago
Thanks.
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
Can’t think of much. Maybe reading in the dark it’s just reality.
Nighthawk321 2 points 2y ago
Low electricity bill!
Free or practically free education!
Free or practically free education!
TheNewMe20 2 points 2y ago
From kindergarten through high school I got out of class for an hour once or twice a week for braille and O&M lessons. I didn't like braille so much, but for O&M you get to leave school and visit different places.
Indigo_Donkey2018 1 points 2y ago
In the state I live in your college tuition is paid for if you are blind. I don’t know the exact reason for this, but I’m gonna just take my money and not ask questions lol
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