Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Response to “You can’t see that?” (self.Blind)
submitted by NatS2770
Hi, I have a relatively minor visual impairment (20/60 in my better and dominant eye). So I do most things at school on my own and without trouble. However recently, I asked someone to read me something that was far away. They obliged, however not before asking “You can’t see that?”. I understand that I don’t look like I have a VI, but I think this still a bit of a rude response. I don’t usually know what to respond with because I don’t want to go into detail. I’m also in high school, so I can’t bring myself to excuse the question on the basis of a lack of understanding, even though I know they don’t know how I see things.
What do you think would be a reasonable response to this question?
What do you think would be a reasonable response to this question?
gunfart 7 points 1y ago
“no”
It’s really simple
It’s really simple
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
[removed]
Broken_Peepers 4 points 1y ago
If they did not know you had a visual impairment, then you just say, "No. I have a visual impairment. That's why I'm asking for assistance.". People are ignorant, and to a certain extent you just have to get use to it.
audreyhorsby_ 4 points 1y ago
That’s actually one of the most offensive things to say to a visually impaired person I’m 20 abs when I was at school I had my own “friends” thinking I was faking my vision impairment. My teacher had to tell them that I wasn’t lying
EyesR4Nerds 3 points 1y ago
Response: “Do you think I’d be asking if I could see it?”
But I’m a particularly snarky creature :)
But I’m a particularly snarky creature :)
WEugeneSmith 2 points 1y ago
I know how frustrating it can be to be asked this question or,perhaps even worse, when someone tries to "make" you see something by pointing out what are obvious visual clues to them.
One thing to remember. sighted people cannot "unsee" any more than we can see. It's a hard concept for them.
My response, in your situation, would be a simple "no" followed by silence.
When someone is "helpfully" pointing out something like a group of deer grazing in a field, I will respond "Im sure it's awesome, but I can't even find the field." If you respond kindly, they will usually move on and (I hope) remember.
One thing to remember. sighted people cannot "unsee" any more than we can see. It's a hard concept for them.
My response, in your situation, would be a simple "no" followed by silence.
When someone is "helpfully" pointing out something like a group of deer grazing in a field, I will respond "Im sure it's awesome, but I can't even find the field." If you respond kindly, they will usually move on and (I hope) remember.
K-R-Rose 2 points 1y ago
This was always really hard for me since I wasn’t ready to tell people I’m legally blind. I just used to say my glasses were bad to defuse the situation and run away embarrassed. Or I’d just not ask them to read anything and sit there clueless.
I think “no” is a fine response to this. Sometimes I think they’re just confused and don’t mean harm by it. It’s very hard for fully sighted people to understand what low vision is like, just like it’s hard for us low vision people to understand what full vision is like. I’m often saying to friends “you can see that???” So it goes both ways
I think “no” is a fine response to this. Sometimes I think they’re just confused and don’t mean harm by it. It’s very hard for fully sighted people to understand what low vision is like, just like it’s hard for us low vision people to understand what full vision is like. I’m often saying to friends “you can see that???” So it goes both ways
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
If they don’t know that you’re visually impaired they will ask. So point out that you’re visually impaired and patiently tell the truth. Or tell this truth before you ask. I find if they know most will be more than willing to help. If they are a jerk then point it out but this is after informing them that you are blind. If you don’t then it’s your fault that they are asking this. If you did point it out then it’s their problem.
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