Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How to explain my vision to people (self.Blind)
submitted by CodePinke
So tomorrow and O&M person is coming to give me a cane and label stuff and teach me what I need to know. But I’m only legally blind so I still have vision. How do I tell people I can still see but explain I need the cane to feel changes in elevation and stuff. How do I prepare for the inevitable you’re not blind you’re faking comments and stuff. I already get enough you don’t LOOK autistic comments when people find out I’m autistic I don’t know how to deal with you don’t look blind comments as well.
cabc79863 12 points 2y ago
You could get a card with a simulation of your vision printed on and put it in your wallet. So you can show that to every one with questions, and they will understand why you need the cane.
I saw a video of cards like this and thought it was a brilliant idea.
Please never be afraid to use what you need to get around better.
I am autistic too, and I get that all the time. But if people do have a problem with you then it is their problem, and they can keep it. You don't have to change because other people got problems.
I saw a video of cards like this and thought it was a brilliant idea.
Please never be afraid to use what you need to get around better.
I am autistic too, and I get that all the time. But if people do have a problem with you then it is their problem, and they can keep it. You don't have to change because other people got problems.
CodePinke [OP] 4 points 2y ago
Thank you. I’ll look into the cards for sure. I’m in Canada so I’ll be getting a CNIB card with my photo on it but I don’t want to have to show that to everyone who asks but the card with my vision sounds like a good way to educate people. Thanks again.
GoBlindOrGoHome 1 points 2y ago
Nobody really believes the CNIB card, it only has an abbreviation and does not actually have the word blind in an easily legible place. At least that was the case when mine was printed in 2018.
BeeAlley 9 points 2y ago
I’m also legally blind and autistic. I usually only carry my cane when I’m alone, but I’ve had many people tell me I don’t look disabled. I have a few photos saved on my phone to try to help describe my vision. You can also just ask them what a disabled person is supposed to look like. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for your life or what you use to make your life easier-
CodePinke [OP] 2 points 2y ago
True but I live in a small place our motto is literally we are so far behind we’re ahead. They view things in extremes. I will definitely remember to try and get some visually for people that shows my vision.
niamhweking 3 points 2y ago
I lived in a very rural place but am from the city, when my VI daughter was born, people whispered and asked was she also intellectually disabled too, she was diagnosed with autism at 5. Our very country neighbour, keeps telling me my daughters vision is fine and the doctors got it wrong. I try nicely explain she seems like that cos she's ina familiar setting. It gets very hard at times not to be rude about it
505Griffon 7 points 2y ago
I did my O&M years ago and only get the cane out if going somewhere there is a crowd or dim dark lighting. Like you stated, it isn't needed all the time so observers don't understand what "legally blind" means. For me its not worth my time to try to educate everyone but I'll call them out if it gets me pissed.
My family now knows to automatically assist me if it gets dark when traveling. Moving through a dim restaurant with scattered tables and chairs is like a landmine for me. My wife just says, "take my elbow" which I respond, "I want something better."
I don't worry too much about what others may think. I have enough to do on my own at my own pace. Stuff gets done the way I can do it and that's the way its going to be. I suspect my wife will stop asking when she thinks I can no loner do it to her satisfaction. For now I'm still plowing ahead like a bull in a china shop.
My family now knows to automatically assist me if it gets dark when traveling. Moving through a dim restaurant with scattered tables and chairs is like a landmine for me. My wife just says, "take my elbow" which I respond, "I want something better."
I don't worry too much about what others may think. I have enough to do on my own at my own pace. Stuff gets done the way I can do it and that's the way its going to be. I suspect my wife will stop asking when she thinks I can no loner do it to her satisfaction. For now I'm still plowing ahead like a bull in a china shop.
Iamheno 5 points 2y ago
Your O&M will get it. They’ve read your vision report. Talk with them. They’ll have great ideas for you specifically after they spend time with you, and get to know your personality.
blackberrybunny 5 points 2y ago
You tell them just how you explained it-- you are visually impaired, but you can see some things, and you need a white cane to help you feel where the sidewalks curbs are, etc. You can see colors, and everything is blurry, you can't read print, etc... just keep it simple. Or tell them you have (insert the name of your eye condition here), and usually a big medical word is enough to keep them off of your case.
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I tell people I was born 3 months too early (I weighed only 2.2lbs in 1968!) and because of this, my retinas didn't develop fully, and that is why I am legally blind...
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Most people are just curious. They've probably never met a blind person, so they feel this is their chance to ask questions. Some people don't realize that it's not that you either are totally blind, or you are not. They don't know there are different levels to blindness.
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Just keep it simple, and saying you are visually impaired, but can see a little bit, but not very well, is enough.
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You can tell your O&M instructor a little more in depth into. Your O&M instructor will know what a term like "legally blind" really means. Other people usually have no idea, and then you have to get into a lengthy conversation trying to explain what legal blindness is. Avoid that, and keep your answers simple, for the simple-minded, LOL.
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If they say 'You don't look blind," tell them thanks for that compliment! Because it is a compliment. Tell them, thanks, but I AM visually impaired, and this white cane helps me get around. Be glad you are not blind. Life is more challenging and everything takes more time.
\-That is usually enough to get them off your back, lol.
I hope I'm not sounding TOO cynical today!
​
I tell people I was born 3 months too early (I weighed only 2.2lbs in 1968!) and because of this, my retinas didn't develop fully, and that is why I am legally blind...
​
Most people are just curious. They've probably never met a blind person, so they feel this is their chance to ask questions. Some people don't realize that it's not that you either are totally blind, or you are not. They don't know there are different levels to blindness.
​
Just keep it simple, and saying you are visually impaired, but can see a little bit, but not very well, is enough.
​
You can tell your O&M instructor a little more in depth into. Your O&M instructor will know what a term like "legally blind" really means. Other people usually have no idea, and then you have to get into a lengthy conversation trying to explain what legal blindness is. Avoid that, and keep your answers simple, for the simple-minded, LOL.
​
If they say 'You don't look blind," tell them thanks for that compliment! Because it is a compliment. Tell them, thanks, but I AM visually impaired, and this white cane helps me get around. Be glad you are not blind. Life is more challenging and everything takes more time.
\-That is usually enough to get them off your back, lol.
I hope I'm not sounding TOO cynical today!
CodePinke [OP] 3 points 2y ago
No you sound really smart. You’re making sense. I think I’ll go with legally blind means I’m visually impaired but still have reminding vision. Maybe? I’m not sure I’m sure no matter what I come up with the first time I’m asked something random will come out of my mouth.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
I was going to say something like this that sounds fine. And if they want to give you a hard time push back.
BlindRyan1 2 points 2y ago
Fellow ROP! 3 months early, 1 pound, 14 ounces, level 4 and 5 detachments in my right (20/400) and left (blind) eyes. When mom found out the nurse on staff wasn't watching the o2 levels, she straight-up threatened to beat the shit out of her. And mom was a biker so that was no idle threat.
You get anything else? I got extremely bad asthma/COPD, hearing loss, and fibromyalgia.
You get anything else? I got extremely bad asthma/COPD, hearing loss, and fibromyalgia.
blackberrybunny 1 points 2y ago
Hi Blind Ryan, your mom sounds amazing!!! Your story about her made me smile.
I'm lucky I didn't have anything else, except I did have to have open heart surgery right when I turned two, because there was a hole in my heart. I survived it.
I've been told my lungs are premature, but I don't have any problems. Sometimes I feel a little short of breath, but I've never had asthma or any breathing problems.
We are so lucky to have made it, right?!
I'm lucky I didn't have anything else, except I did have to have open heart surgery right when I turned two, because there was a hole in my heart. I survived it.
I've been told my lungs are premature, but I don't have any problems. Sometimes I feel a little short of breath, but I've never had asthma or any breathing problems.
We are so lucky to have made it, right?!
BlindRyan1 2 points 2y ago
We can't die! We have things to do, goals to achieve, peoples' lives to enrich. You know, all that good stuff. :P
My philosophy is "These are the cards I was dealt and even a seven-high can win a hand if you bluff it right."
My philosophy is "These are the cards I was dealt and even a seven-high can win a hand if you bluff it right."
blackberrybunny 2 points 2y ago
You are SO awesome!
What a great philosophy you have. Sometimes I do feel like I'm bluffing my way along....
Keep on being you, Ryan, and you are certainly going to enrich the world. You already made my day better!
What a great philosophy you have. Sometimes I do feel like I'm bluffing my way along....
Keep on being you, Ryan, and you are certainly going to enrich the world. You already made my day better!
TwinPurpleEagle 2 points 2y ago
I also have ROP! Nice to meet you! I was born in 2000 at 25 weeks gestation and had a birth weight of 1lb, 8 ounces. I can't imagine how things must have been back in 1968! We should chat sometime.
I'm completely blind in my left eye and have 20/200 vision in my right. I describe to people that my right eye has decent central vision, well enough for ambulatory vision (being able to see objects and move around a room without stumbling or bumping into obstacles). But I have no peripheral vision and can't read anything unless I walk right up to it or nearly touch my nose to a piece of writing on paper. I have no depth perception and have no concept of what "seeing depth" is supposed to look like. I do not need a cane to get around during the daytime, although I do use one when walking at night in places with no street lights, or in uneven terrain with lots of potholes or stairs.
I'm completely blind in my left eye and have 20/200 vision in my right. I describe to people that my right eye has decent central vision, well enough for ambulatory vision (being able to see objects and move around a room without stumbling or bumping into obstacles). But I have no peripheral vision and can't read anything unless I walk right up to it or nearly touch my nose to a piece of writing on paper. I have no depth perception and have no concept of what "seeing depth" is supposed to look like. I do not need a cane to get around during the daytime, although I do use one when walking at night in places with no street lights, or in uneven terrain with lots of potholes or stairs.
blackberrybunny 1 points 2y ago
Hello TwinPurpleEagle!
We are very similar. I have some sight in both eyes. I also have a pretty bad lazy eye, and severe nystagmus, so my eye is looking outward and zig zagging about. My other eye zig zags too, and this makes it difficult to see, as you can imagine.
I have hated having my photo taken my entire life, because I could not ever look at the camera. My eyes were never aligned. It has been my biggest self esteem crusher for my whole life. I always thought it could be better, if only I'd wear sunglasses, haha, the stereotypical blind person, right?-- but wearing shades would make it so much harder to see! So I've never worn them. So that is my biggest problem with my eyes, if you asked me.
I too don't use a white cane during the day, but will use one at night if I'm in a new or strange place. I think you know just what I mean! And people absolutely cannot understand how I, or "we" rather, are able to walk around like we do and act like we can see like normal people. I tell people I've had 52 years to perfect my skillz, if you know what I mean.
You and I are both so lucky to be alive, being such premature babes, like we were! My mom told me that back then, people would hear about the tiny tiny tiny little baby in the nursery, and they'd come to the big window there and look in upon me. I was put into an incubator for the first 3 months, and my mom and dad were finally able to hold me after that-- they actually got to take me home on their wedding anniversary, and they were scared to death to hold me, because I was so small. They had to go to KMart and buy dolls just for the clothes they wore, so I'd have something to wear. They didn't make infant clothing for my size. Things were a lot different then.
I did not thrive. I didn't gain much weight. And right before I turned two, the doctors discovered I had a hole in my heart, a common defect for preemie babies. So I had open heart surgery and I survived! Now I am 52 and fatter than I deserve to be.
It's really 'great' to meet you! My name is Molly, by the way. I'm very happy tonight, to log into reddit and see your message! You made my day! Thanks for sending me the message.
I'm in Florida. Where do you live? I was born in Miami, but now I live in north Florida. It's warm here. I wish it would snow! But that never happens here!
Hope wherever you are, you are warm and snug. :-)
Looking forward to your next message. I'm off to bed, early tonight. Big shopping day tomorrow with my Mom. Have a great evening!
-Molly
We are very similar. I have some sight in both eyes. I also have a pretty bad lazy eye, and severe nystagmus, so my eye is looking outward and zig zagging about. My other eye zig zags too, and this makes it difficult to see, as you can imagine.
I have hated having my photo taken my entire life, because I could not ever look at the camera. My eyes were never aligned. It has been my biggest self esteem crusher for my whole life. I always thought it could be better, if only I'd wear sunglasses, haha, the stereotypical blind person, right?-- but wearing shades would make it so much harder to see! So I've never worn them. So that is my biggest problem with my eyes, if you asked me.
I too don't use a white cane during the day, but will use one at night if I'm in a new or strange place. I think you know just what I mean! And people absolutely cannot understand how I, or "we" rather, are able to walk around like we do and act like we can see like normal people. I tell people I've had 52 years to perfect my skillz, if you know what I mean.
You and I are both so lucky to be alive, being such premature babes, like we were! My mom told me that back then, people would hear about the tiny tiny tiny little baby in the nursery, and they'd come to the big window there and look in upon me. I was put into an incubator for the first 3 months, and my mom and dad were finally able to hold me after that-- they actually got to take me home on their wedding anniversary, and they were scared to death to hold me, because I was so small. They had to go to KMart and buy dolls just for the clothes they wore, so I'd have something to wear. They didn't make infant clothing for my size. Things were a lot different then.
I did not thrive. I didn't gain much weight. And right before I turned two, the doctors discovered I had a hole in my heart, a common defect for preemie babies. So I had open heart surgery and I survived! Now I am 52 and fatter than I deserve to be.
It's really 'great' to meet you! My name is Molly, by the way. I'm very happy tonight, to log into reddit and see your message! You made my day! Thanks for sending me the message.
I'm in Florida. Where do you live? I was born in Miami, but now I live in north Florida. It's warm here. I wish it would snow! But that never happens here!
Hope wherever you are, you are warm and snug. :-)
Looking forward to your next message. I'm off to bed, early tonight. Big shopping day tomorrow with my Mom. Have a great evening!
-Molly
Pheonixflames81 3 points 2y ago
I'm going to be blunt. It's no ones business what you need a cane for an no ones business why you are the way you are. Those comments can be easily ignored and shooed away. I have vision problems I dont wear glasses or use a cane and people think my eye sight is fine. It's their problem that they can't except you for who you are so just tell them it's none of your beeswax. Also dont label yourself go above and beyond the austistic label. It's just there to categorize people with differences. And dont take those negative comments personally.
AlwaysLilly 3 points 2y ago
I have had similar worries but the more I struggle to get around with things like a cane, the more I am becoming less concerned with what anyone thinks.
I have always been the youngest person in my retina doctor's office and usually at the audiologists too (I'm single side deaf since birth) so I'm used to people questioning my struggles, but I like to think most people are wanting to help and will do whatever is needed to assist you. I'm sure the O&M instructors will get it.
I have always been the youngest person in my retina doctor's office and usually at the audiologists too (I'm single side deaf since birth) so I'm used to people questioning my struggles, but I like to think most people are wanting to help and will do whatever is needed to assist you. I'm sure the O&M instructors will get it.
UnsightlyOpinions 3 points 2y ago
Also in Canada. My ophthalmologist asked people to look through wax paper as a simulation. It immediately reduces contrast and definition while not completely obstructing light and shapes. Might be something worth a try in the meantime :-)
Frappgirl 2 points 2y ago
Sounds like me! I’m legally blind- can still see big things but not the small details. I cannot see contrasting things- so stairs and curbs and often things in my path are a challenge and a cane helps.
FrankenGretchen 2 points 2y ago
Of all the people to explain your vision to, the O&M trainer will be the easiest and least judgemental. Vision is their job.
As for other nosey people, do what you need to do for yourself and your safety. You owe them no explanations. If you do choose to explain, you can tell them how you see stuff and how you use a cane/glasses/whatever to work around your limits. If you deem they can help you with this, tell them how.
Proving a disability with a card has always rankled me. Like, my blindness has been vetted by some expert fed who approved my existence. If it's the card you need to access transportation or get accommodations, use it as it's meant to be used. No one else needs access to your identification.
On the spectrum side, anyone who has any experience with the order and precise attention to detail I honor in people on the spectrum will be better able to appreciate and respect that need as it applies to vision limits. We are not a crowd who celebrates mayhem or interruption in our systems for finding things. This will be common knowledge for blind/vi folks but not so much for people who haven't interacted with us or those on ASD. Consider signs or other methods of letting people know to leave things where they found them or let you know exactly what/where a thing was founs/moved. That's my lifetime untamed, rabid peeve.
Carry your cane even if it stays folded and tucked in your bag. That's your autonomy. You never know when even the most mundane event will morph into an 'I need my cane' event. Displaying or using it will be the alert that most folks will recognize and respect. Those who don't are mostly asshats.
Relax. Breathe. Check for cane. You're now prepared to move about the planet.
Good luck with O&M.
As for other nosey people, do what you need to do for yourself and your safety. You owe them no explanations. If you do choose to explain, you can tell them how you see stuff and how you use a cane/glasses/whatever to work around your limits. If you deem they can help you with this, tell them how.
Proving a disability with a card has always rankled me. Like, my blindness has been vetted by some expert fed who approved my existence. If it's the card you need to access transportation or get accommodations, use it as it's meant to be used. No one else needs access to your identification.
On the spectrum side, anyone who has any experience with the order and precise attention to detail I honor in people on the spectrum will be better able to appreciate and respect that need as it applies to vision limits. We are not a crowd who celebrates mayhem or interruption in our systems for finding things. This will be common knowledge for blind/vi folks but not so much for people who haven't interacted with us or those on ASD. Consider signs or other methods of letting people know to leave things where they found them or let you know exactly what/where a thing was founs/moved. That's my lifetime untamed, rabid peeve.
Carry your cane even if it stays folded and tucked in your bag. That's your autonomy. You never know when even the most mundane event will morph into an 'I need my cane' event. Displaying or using it will be the alert that most folks will recognize and respect. Those who don't are mostly asshats.
Relax. Breathe. Check for cane. You're now prepared to move about the planet.
Good luck with O&M.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Don’t worry about what others think. Worry about what you need. If you tolerate no nonsense there will be no nonsense.
I am a fairly affable person until people mess with me then there’s consequences. And most people know not to mess with me. I think they can sense it.
I am a fairly affable person until people mess with me then there’s consequences. And most people know not to mess with me. I think they can sense it.
BlindRyan1 1 points 2y ago
I do screencaps. That gets the point across.
"This is how I have my computer set up and I sit about 4 inches away from it. I'm this blind."
"This is how I have my computer set up and I sit about 4 inches away from it. I'm this blind."
ps-im-blind 1 points 2y ago
Trust me when I say that I understand how you are feeling, and I'm so sorry. One thing that has helped me was to research the specifics of my eye condition and read up on other people's experiences that have the same visual impairment as me.
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