Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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A car swerved too close to me on purpose yesterday when I was walking my dog (self.Blind)
submitted by casserole_cat
They could tell I had a vision impairment I think because no my dog isn’t a guide dog just a pet (sorry June Bug you aren’t just a “pet” you are my baby lol anyway) but I had sunglasses on and a baseball cap on (along with my pixelated sight I also have a light sensitivity) also though I walk this route ALOT so it’s just all just memorized so I’m not straining my eyes looking around and such I mostly just look straight ahead.
I’m sharing this story just because I felt like it made me extremely upset as a 16 year old legally blind girl, this guy was totally in the wrong. But I can’t do anything about it because I couldn’t see his car enough to know what kind it is or his license plate. So I’m just trying to start a conversation of the things that sighted people get away with doing to us.
Anyway so back to what happened also this happened about 3 days ago. So I’m parts of my neighborhood their is no side walk just the outer edge of the street where a side walk would go. Um so I was walking and it just seemed like this car was getting closer but there was a car parked do my right so I couldn’t move that much out of the way fast enough. And the person swerved so close to me I literally thought my dog was about to get hit along with me so I picked her up fast. (And she is a pretty solid dog I would say she weighs at least 65 pounds and I have very weak arms) and I swear I looked down and there car was like literally almost touching me. And the must’ve had their window ruled down because I could hear this guy laughing because I probably looked really scared and then they swerved away and kept driving.
I was very shaken up and have never had anything happen to me like that. Like the only other mean things that someone did to me because of my sight was at school. Once during pe when all the kids during basketball decided it would be fun to gang up on my and turn it into dodge ball and chase my frantic self into a corner and continue to throw balls at me. I was literally crying before the teacher noticed. Also during football at pe the amount of times I’ve been randomly tackled when no ball was coming just for laughs is 3 times which isn’t a lot but it’s odd that happened 3 times. (Tackled by a 6ft something overweight boy while I’m a 5ft 1 girl. It hurt and he said that he said to get out of the way but first off how should I know that he was talking to me? Also though I can hear and no ball was thrown and landed or caught)
I just don’t know what to do when these things happen. Like I feel like I just have to get through it and take it. Why do people even think that it’s funny to mess with us? What should I do even I can’t stop it and I can’t do anything afterwards that will make it not happen again or really even make anything better. Can I prevent these things.
I’m sharing this story just because I felt like it made me extremely upset as a 16 year old legally blind girl, this guy was totally in the wrong. But I can’t do anything about it because I couldn’t see his car enough to know what kind it is or his license plate. So I’m just trying to start a conversation of the things that sighted people get away with doing to us.
Anyway so back to what happened also this happened about 3 days ago. So I’m parts of my neighborhood their is no side walk just the outer edge of the street where a side walk would go. Um so I was walking and it just seemed like this car was getting closer but there was a car parked do my right so I couldn’t move that much out of the way fast enough. And the person swerved so close to me I literally thought my dog was about to get hit along with me so I picked her up fast. (And she is a pretty solid dog I would say she weighs at least 65 pounds and I have very weak arms) and I swear I looked down and there car was like literally almost touching me. And the must’ve had their window ruled down because I could hear this guy laughing because I probably looked really scared and then they swerved away and kept driving.
I was very shaken up and have never had anything happen to me like that. Like the only other mean things that someone did to me because of my sight was at school. Once during pe when all the kids during basketball decided it would be fun to gang up on my and turn it into dodge ball and chase my frantic self into a corner and continue to throw balls at me. I was literally crying before the teacher noticed. Also during football at pe the amount of times I’ve been randomly tackled when no ball was coming just for laughs is 3 times which isn’t a lot but it’s odd that happened 3 times. (Tackled by a 6ft something overweight boy while I’m a 5ft 1 girl. It hurt and he said that he said to get out of the way but first off how should I know that he was talking to me? Also though I can hear and no ball was thrown and landed or caught)
I just don’t know what to do when these things happen. Like I feel like I just have to get through it and take it. Why do people even think that it’s funny to mess with us? What should I do even I can’t stop it and I can’t do anything afterwards that will make it not happen again or really even make anything better. Can I prevent these things.
Rw0004 5 points 2y ago
There will unfortunately always be absolute idiots in the world that will try to bring others down to make themselves feel better about themselves and their insecurities. Just remember that the vast majority of humanity are compassionate and helpful and that you’re better than those that have to do wrong to others to make themselves feel better.
I have a visually impaired 8 year old who I’m sure is going to experience all of this in years to come, so all I try to do is prepare him the best I can by explaining that there will always be idiots around and that he needs to rise above it. He also loves Judo so that will hopefully help 😂
I have a visually impaired 8 year old who I’m sure is going to experience all of this in years to come, so all I try to do is prepare him the best I can by explaining that there will always be idiots around and that he needs to rise above it. He also loves Judo so that will hopefully help 😂
casserole_cat [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks for your comment idk I know that there will always be people like that but part of me wishes that there was just something I could do about it. Oh and about that judo. That’s good for him but I can’t fight at all! Like my dad tried to teach me how to just punch even and he ended up calling me a wimp :). I just go into a sack of potatoes mode usually and fall to the floor and go into a ball.
Rw0004 4 points 2y ago
You could maybe get yourself an action camera so that you can quickly record anything untoward. You can at least have someone watch it back for you later and report anything suspicious.
As for fighting, I don’t want him doing it in school but as a self defence tool it seems great for someone visually impaired as it’s more about grappling than straight up striking someone. Obviously if you’re to hit someone you need to be able to see your target from a distance, but with judo it all starts with grabbing them and using their weight against them so might be worth checking out. If nothing else, it will give you some extra confidence which in turn will get rid of some of the fear.
I can’t pretend to know what it’s like, but anything I can do to help my son, I will do and most people would happily do the same. Hopefully next time someone starts acting up, you’re with someone that can throw a punch and they will put them on the deck for you 😂
As for fighting, I don’t want him doing it in school but as a self defence tool it seems great for someone visually impaired as it’s more about grappling than straight up striking someone. Obviously if you’re to hit someone you need to be able to see your target from a distance, but with judo it all starts with grabbing them and using their weight against them so might be worth checking out. If nothing else, it will give you some extra confidence which in turn will get rid of some of the fear.
I can’t pretend to know what it’s like, but anything I can do to help my son, I will do and most people would happily do the same. Hopefully next time someone starts acting up, you’re with someone that can throw a punch and they will put them on the deck for you 😂
PepperPhoenix 3 points 2y ago
I was going to suggest an action cam also, we have one for my husband's wheelchair for similar reasons.
There will always be scum in human form around, sometimes all you can do is try to protect yourself.
There will always be scum in human form around, sometimes all you can do is try to protect yourself.
niamhweking 2 points 2y ago
If it's a route you tske often is there anyone/neighbour's you know on the route who have camera doorbells or who maybe saw it too?
casserole_cat [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Oh that’s a good question I’m not sure but i could probably check it out. I’ve just been trying to think of where I saw a blue car because that stands out which is good. But I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen a blue car in my neighborhood so I’m thinking they could’ve been visiting someone in the neighborhood. But like I’m just not sure if I have. Whatever though it’s like what law did the break? What will even come from this like the worse I can do is expose him on social media.
niamhweking 2 points 2y ago
I suppose if you really got evidence and footage, attempted vehicular manslaughter, however I think you are right, public naming and shaming, putting up posters, telling his mom and dad, his workplace. I do however think it's just one of life's unfortunate bullying occurances
SqornshellousZ 3 points 2y ago
Sighted people commonly believe without a doubt that we have some divinely bestowed protection from oppertunists. Like wikedness and selfish indiferance has some level to wich only ficticious charactors would cross. Annie Lennox couldn't have been more right about the Assholes in our society. Every group has got one. and after encountering someone so flagramtly pissing on our collective gene pool it's hard not to be primed to see them eveywhere in future; however. the stats don't prove this out. We are living in a time of unprecedented peace and safety dispite how real the post trsmatic stress must feel for you.
Best I can do today is describe some of yesterday's April fools jokes in r/funny.
A kitchen sink with the sprayer trigger held on with an elastic band.
Caption reads "And now we wait."
A pan in the over with several bits of cardboard cut out into letters.
"There are brownies in the over guys.
Father came downstairs to find his child had arranged her schoolbag with her shores sticking out like a body was crushed.
The corner of a US 20 dollar bill visable under the keyboard.
Actually a fake attached to a laughing at your expense meme chsractor.
Best I can do today is describe some of yesterday's April fools jokes in r/funny.
A kitchen sink with the sprayer trigger held on with an elastic band.
Caption reads "And now we wait."
A pan in the over with several bits of cardboard cut out into letters.
"There are brownies in the over guys.
Father came downstairs to find his child had arranged her schoolbag with her shores sticking out like a body was crushed.
The corner of a US 20 dollar bill visable under the keyboard.
Actually a fake attached to a laughing at your expense meme chsractor.
intellectualnerd85 3 points 2y ago
People can be cruel. Have you thought about taking up ju jitsu or other martial art? It could build your confidence and give you skills should someone get physical with you again. Your vision doesn’t mean you have to be a victim or just take it. We are all human and are entitled to dignity and respect.
casserole_cat [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yea perhaps I’ll look into a class that will help me if someone decides to get physical. Since I’ve just finished like 2 huge things so I now have a lot of new free time and was looking into something to get into. So this would probably be great because yes I’m a terrible fighter currently and can’t defend myself.
intellectualnerd85 2 points 2y ago
There was a blind woman in my area who would regularly beat sighted opponents in the ring during karate tournaments. I did a little bit of research concerning blind people and jujitsu according to instructors we pick it up faster than sighted people
casserole_cat [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Wow interesting in the comments it made me realize that actually a lot of visually impaired people do jujitso and they say the same thing that we pick it up faster. This will probably be a good thing to do then because I can also be careless about where I go and such. Since I’m still a teenager that makes bad decisions (I know not a excuse it just idk can’t control it sometimes) I go to unsafe places that are even more unsafe because I’m legally blind unlike my friends who don’t even look out for me. Im working out that part though and just trying to tell myself that I can have fun and be safe. (I once ended up walking like 3 miles home alone at night because I put myself in that situation where I knew I should’ve went home earlier but I wanted to stay longer). I also take the city buses a lot and there’s so sketchy people (some guy literally purposely jabbed me HARD in the stomach with his cane while mumbling something then he just walked off and no one did anything. It hurt so bad also)
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