There’s always a few wankers out there. Make yourself as big as possible as confident as possible and don’t forget you’re carrying a stick! I’m sure you’re a fabulous person, never let the bastards get you down

What I do is carry some pepper spray when I'm going somewhere on my own and just walk on past them. People who do that are, frankly, complete losers. Don't feed them, but be prepared to take action if necessary.

If they sounded close enough, I would've swung wide "accidentally" with my cane and whacked them. Probably not the best answer realistically, but the idea is funny to me.

Alternatively, "I'm blind, but I can still hear that you're a fucking idiot." Blunt, yeah, but I'm too old to have time for stupid assholes.

Just started with my cane this week, still partially sighted, but it was so bright out it blinded me. My sister commented on how many people now take a wide berth around me, so I'm grateful that most people aren't douchebags.

Ignore them keep walking. People judge others all the time, but if you don’t know them probably not worth your time or energy. Sometimes starting an argument isn’t the best way either. I have sometimes asked more snidely. Like is there a problem? What is your issue with me? Sometimes in a more light way but sometimes can get in to arguments.

Wear whatever the hell you want. That should not have anything to do with it. They sound like assholes regardless.

Do not let the idiocy of others detract from what you are trying to do or who you are trying to become. He was probably lunging trying to 'catch' you as not being blind. I get that every now and then in the states. When I flinch (legally blind, keratoconus so I have some sight), they go off like they are the greatest detective the world has ever seen. I usually tell them that their ignorance of blindness is not my responsibility to correct.


Keep doing what you do.

There are a lot of guys and girls both who walk around acting immature to random people walking by, so they may have acted that way even if you didn't have one, but would probably have done it in a different way. But anyway I'd pretty much just ignore them if I were in the same situation, I think.

As a fellow blind person I know your pain to an extent. Confidence will come it just takes time. Until then fuck stupid people

Sorry to hear this! Those guys suck, and anyone around who observed but did not intervene also sucks. You could walk around wearing only four Post-It notes for clothing and these guys would still suck and be behaving inappropriately. Sounds like they saw you as a vulnerable, weak object in the world for them to entertain themselves with

Bear in mind that while most folks are generally safe, there are people and situations to be aware of for your own safety. There are folks who commit opportunistic harassment and crimes, in my experience they tend to make that lcoud and clear with their behaviour. I'd put these losers in that.category. There's something wrong with them that makes them think this behaviour is appropriate., and given the chance they will take it as far as they think they can get away with.

The other concept for strangers I've developed since I started using a white cane are ones who present a facade of being helpful and harmless while they build up trust to get you under their control. They kind of insert themselves into your life for their own purposes which may or may not aling with yours. Of this group, not all of them are automatically Ted Bundy in scale, but you are better off being aware some folks are not how they present themselves to be. Instoncts and good habits will help you there. Be aware of being guided by ground cover, towards a car, etc if you can. Keep your phone handy and learn / pracice how to call 911 or 999 quickly and discreetly. You will never liekly have to do this, I never have myself, but this is really a good pratice.

I usually robot my way through situations that have me on edge like that. Focusing on the logistics of how to get myself away from a threat goes some way to filling up my brain with stuff to work on, rather than the immediate panic. As a male, things like this have definitely knocked my confidence when they've been bad enough. I can't even begin to fathom how much worse it is for a woman.

Reading some of the comments has got me thinking about taking a self-defence class. I'm incredibly lucky not to have gotten in a fight or been attacked thus far, but the thought is more about arresting some of my autonomy back from perceived risk.

You flaired your post as "Advice UK". contact the UK Police by dialling 101 or online. https://www.gov.uk/contact-police. Report harassment and antisocial behaviour. If you felt threatened tell them that. Hopefully the police will take a walk around your park and talk to anyone matching your description (how they sound) and find out if anyone saw anything.

For more help try the RNIB helpline https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnib-helpline

Also try your local vision loss society by searching here https://www.sightlinedirectory.org.uk/ and they may be able to offer help with gaining back your confidence and independence.

I come from a pretty sketchy area and I’ve found just walking like you’re on your way to murder someone typically keeps people from saying anything. Failing that, having a knife on you is always good. Usually just flashing a blade is more than enough to make even the more annoying people switch off. Don’t talk to them, don’t engage. Just keep walking and make it clear you aren’t a helpless lamb

The first thing I would say is don't assume it was all about you. Unless something specific is said in that situation I would assume it was probably some people doing their own weird thing and not take it too seriously. You may never know but really there's no future in worrying over a million things we can't control which might not even have been anything to do with us. Obviously if there was really no doubt then that's another thing but I guess what I'm saying is don't convince yourself of that. It's happened to me loads of times and then someone I know has said oh it wasn't anything to do with me they were playing with a dog or whatever.

Enjoy your low cut top. I'm a musician so fashionable dress for me is black black and more black but I have been known to wear some stuff that is so daring I don't want to take off my black velvet jacket!