My girlfriend gets really anxious when she meets new people because she is scared they will judge is she doesn't look into their eyes. Any advise?(self.Blind)
submitted by AYepesP
She is F18 and has Stargardt desease. This happened a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to help her the best way I can but I, couldn't help her as much as I could since I couldn't relate. Any advice for her?
afraidofbugz6 points2y ago
Most people would just assume that she is somewhat shy, if it's not obvious that she's visually impaired.
AYepesP [OP]1 points2y ago
Do you have any tips for here is she hates when people think this about her?
snow6714 points2y ago
Giant, wrap-around, super dark sunglasses are going to be your girl's best friend, and not just for getting people to stop bugging her.
One_Antelope80044 points2y ago
I really don't notice if people are looking at my eyes or not.
Depending on the amount of sight she has .. maybe just quick, fraction of a second, glances towards the face. That's pretty normal.
Thinking of it now, I think that in a lot of interactions, both parties are interested in other things... screens, phones, paperwork, making coffee, ringing me up.. eye contact is such a small part; that a few quick glances towards their general area is all you really need now.
Hope it helps.
retrolental_morose4 points2y ago
I work with 50 or so blind people dayly. I get points for just facing in the direction of the person with whom I'm communicating: the average person rocks, sways, jiggles, fiddles, flaps or just lies down.
A sweeping generalisation of course - many are excellent socially. But the standoutts really stand out...
TL, Dr? precise eye contact, if you're known to have a visual impairment, is a small part of the whole.
AYepesP [OP]2 points2y ago
What you are saying is surprisingly true, most of the time when speaking we don't look as much into the eyes as people make it out to be. What are your thoughts on family reunions and more of a one to one conversation?
KingFaty453 points2y ago
tbh what i’ve done is just come straight out and said this is my situation, deal with it or don’t. not those exact words but just own it. people don’t care, they have their own lives. if it’s a problem for them, that’s their problem not your gfs.
BlindLuck722 points2y ago
I just initiate conversation and put my hand out so they have to shake it, then I know where they are.
Everyone thinks I’m out going but I’m just finding people :)
QuinnDxo2 points2y ago
That’s ingenious!
[deleted]1 points2y ago
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QuentinJamesP891 points2y ago
You've gotten some good suggestions here. I wear glasses and never wear sunglasses so I can't hide my eyes. My eyes are misaligned and people can be uncomfortable trying to figure out which of my eyes is looking at them and where to look. I think if she's open about her visual impairment it will help people to be more understanding. Once I explain to people that my right eye is blind then they know which eye to look at, at least.
laconicflow1 points2y ago
I've been blind since birth, and I have advice. Tell her the problem will be solved if she wears sunglasses, sunglasses that hide the eyes. People are used to pretending to make eyecontact with sunglasses that hide the eyes. So she gets a few different pairs so she doesn't get board with the same pair.
This is the easiest blind people question ever. Get sunglasses. It puts people with vision at their ease, and then you can talk to them way easier, because they aren't getting whigged out by your eyes.
DrillInstructorJan1 points2y ago
I'm always torn between saying yes I get this, because I do, but also let's not be too concerned about it because it's not a big enough deal to most people to matter. I have often worn sunglasses in situations where it possibly wasn't that obvious a time to wear sunglasses but by doing that I've had twenty minute conversations with strangers where they didn't clock what was going on at all. If I don't do that I can sometimes convince people for a little while but I can't see at all so I can't focus on anything and it's an effort of will to do it. So I don't.
I wouldn't necessarily encourage anyone to do any of those things because whoever you're getting to know needs to get used to you as you, but sometimes it's just easier to shove some ray bans on your face and not deal with people asking the same questions all over again. I don't mind doing that, I think it's useful for people to be willing to do that, but sometimes you want an evening off and that's fine.
The only other thing about this is that I have really normal body language. I could see fine until I was 19 and I basically come off as a sighted person. If that's not you, then not focusing on things may be the least of your problems and you may as well not worry about it.
AYepesP [OP]1 points2y ago
I agree with your comment and I think that is the most wise solution, she is really open with her desease and doesn't mind telling everyone, but sometimes the moment isn't right to talk about it, and that's when she gets frustrated.
DrillInstructorJan1 points2y ago
Yes exactly. I am an open book and I will try very hard never to put people off talking about it because I find that people knowing more about it, and satisfying their burning curiosity, is really helpful. But sometimes, you're right, you just want to discuss politics or something. I get it.
codeplaysleep1 points2y ago
In 43 years, I have never met anyone who cares if I'm looking them in the eye or not.
laconicflow1 points2y ago
That's interesting. Because I swear sunglasses make a giant difference in how new people treat me. Obviously with friends it makes no difference.
And then, Op's girlfriend is worried about it, and it's easier to put on sunglasses then it is to stop worrying.
Iamheno1 points2y ago
I’ve always been told one of the reasons I “pass” as fully sighted is because I give eye contact when people are talking. I don’t do it consciously, I just turn my head and face towards the sound. However, I have been accused of having more sight than I do, even by people who have my vision reports. Apparently I “scan” my surroundings continually moving my eyes all around to make maximum use of my usable vision, but I wear dark sunglasses almost 100% of the time this time of year outdoors and indoors.
laconicflow2 points2y ago
I wear dark sunglasses every time of the year, and turn my head like you do, and I get the same accusations all the time. Op's girlfriend just needs some shades.
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