Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Interviews for a fictional novel (self.Blind)
submitted by Calligraphy-413
Hey everyone,
I'm working on a contemporary romance novel where my main character falls in love with a gentleman who is legally blind. More specifically he has ocular albinism with nystagmus. I'd like to interview someone who has direct experience so I can be as accurate as I possibly can. If anyone doesn't mind helping me out that would be great. I'm wanting this to be more like an ongoing conversation to help me along and even sort of beta read some passages to eliminate any representation issues, tone, or problematic language.
And on the flip side, if there are any sighted members who have dated someone blind I'd like their insight as well. I'm an amateur writer so I haven't produced anything great. I'm just in the beginning stages and want to be on top of my research.
Anyone wanna help a wannabe romance writer out? Or at least point me in the direction of someone who can and is willing? Thanks in advance.
I'm working on a contemporary romance novel where my main character falls in love with a gentleman who is legally blind. More specifically he has ocular albinism with nystagmus. I'd like to interview someone who has direct experience so I can be as accurate as I possibly can. If anyone doesn't mind helping me out that would be great. I'm wanting this to be more like an ongoing conversation to help me along and even sort of beta read some passages to eliminate any representation issues, tone, or problematic language.
And on the flip side, if there are any sighted members who have dated someone blind I'd like their insight as well. I'm an amateur writer so I haven't produced anything great. I'm just in the beginning stages and want to be on top of my research.
Anyone wanna help a wannabe romance writer out? Or at least point me in the direction of someone who can and is willing? Thanks in advance.
Puzzled_Teaching_197 1 points 2y ago
I may be able to help out (not sure if I’m what you’re looking for though). I have CVI (cortical visual impairment) and no peripheral vision
Calligraphy-413 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Hey, thanks for your reply! If you don't mind describing what that's like for you and how you were diagnosed, that'd be great.. If you don't want to write that here you're more than welcome to message me.
Puzzled_Teaching_197 2 points 2y ago
If you have specific questions, I can answer those! For starters, I was diagnosed at a few months old with CVI. This was diagnosed through common characteristics (preference of colors, photophobia, delayed visual response). It was later confirmed through a brain MRI. At age 2, it was diagnosed that I have no peripheral vision. I attended early intervened programs and a preschool for blind children. Afterwards, I entered mainstream school. To succeed there, I have intinterent teachers.
Calligraphy-413 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
How did the other students act around you in school? Did you ever feel isolated?
In regards to dating I have a few questions:
1. When you meet a potential love interest, do you prefer to bring your vision up first or do you wait for them to open that door? How do you prefer they ask? Are there any blunt "off limits" questions?
2. Have you ever had a love interest or friend try to overcompensate and help you too much to do things?
3. How do you handle the other person's discomfort when you can tell that they're trying to avoid bringing up your vision for any reason?
4. Have you ever had any inside jokes with that person over it?
5. Have you ever been stereotyped by a sighted love interest? How did you handle that?
Anyone else reading this can jump in as well with their perspective.
In regards to dating I have a few questions:
1. When you meet a potential love interest, do you prefer to bring your vision up first or do you wait for them to open that door? How do you prefer they ask? Are there any blunt "off limits" questions?
2. Have you ever had a love interest or friend try to overcompensate and help you too much to do things?
3. How do you handle the other person's discomfort when you can tell that they're trying to avoid bringing up your vision for any reason?
4. Have you ever had any inside jokes with that person over it?
5. Have you ever been stereotyped by a sighted love interest? How did you handle that?
Anyone else reading this can jump in as well with their perspective.
Puzzled_Teaching_197 1 points 2y ago
1. I prefer to bring up my vision first. If they have any questions, I’m open to most (as long as they are asked in a respectful and well-meaning matter). Some things that are off limits are them asking to “try my cane,” if I “want to be cured”, or “what’s wrong with you?” Additionally, I don’t like when I’m told that I “don’t look blind.”
2. Not a love interest or friend- but I have had teachers and peers attempt to help with essentially everything. It’s quite frustrating.
3. Sometimes, I’ve had people stumble on words regarding my vision. I simply laugh and say “you’re allowed to call me blind.”
4. Not that I can remember.
5. No
2. Not a love interest or friend- but I have had teachers and peers attempt to help with essentially everything. It’s quite frustrating.
3. Sometimes, I’ve had people stumble on words regarding my vision. I simply laugh and say “you’re allowed to call me blind.”
4. Not that I can remember.
5. No
Puzzled_Teaching_197 1 points 2y ago
I’ve definitely felt isolated in mainstream school. From kinder-12th I went to 3 different schools. At the first school (Kinder-1st), it was pretty rough. My peers didn’t understand why I was sometimes pulled out of class, needed a white cane, or couldn’t do some activities. I think it was their lack of education on the disabilities that led to teasing and bullying. One student broke my cane, another literally stepped on me, and one would purposely misguide me when I asked for help. The administration from this school wasn’t the best. I was made to sit at a separate lunch table from my class, with the only other blind student in the school. When the students in my class would pick seats, my teacher choose mine for me every time. There are numerous other examples similar to these.
I was homeschooled in 2nd grade so I’ll skip ahead. At the next school (3rd-5th), things were a little better. I experienced minor teasing and bullying from other students. This ranged from calling me names (retarded, four-eyes) to stealing my cane. At this time, I became uncomfortable answering sincere questions from my peers.
Finally, I attended another school for 6-12th grade. Students would “baby” and pity me. However, I had genuine friends who stuck with me. I sometimes experienced this type of behavior from substitute teachers. A few teachers in middle school would underestimate me and then act surprised when I turned in high-scoring work
I was homeschooled in 2nd grade so I’ll skip ahead. At the next school (3rd-5th), things were a little better. I experienced minor teasing and bullying from other students. This ranged from calling me names (retarded, four-eyes) to stealing my cane. At this time, I became uncomfortable answering sincere questions from my peers.
Finally, I attended another school for 6-12th grade. Students would “baby” and pity me. However, I had genuine friends who stuck with me. I sometimes experienced this type of behavior from substitute teachers. A few teachers in middle school would underestimate me and then act surprised when I turned in high-scoring work
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