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Has anyone ever tried to sue you or threatened you in some other way because you walked into them or their property with your white cane? (self.Blind)
submitted by Minister_of_Joy
So, today afternoon I went grocery shopping. I live in Europe, so I usually take public transport for this purpose. I was a little short on time and so, as I was hurrying to the bus stop, I walked into something with my white cane. Nothing happened to me, I didn't get hurt. It was only my cane that hit against the object. The impact wasn't even that strong, I was doing regular swinging motions like you learn it in O&M (I consider my cane skills pretty decent). I didn't think much of it and simply walked around the object (which I surmised to be a car) in order to continue on my way. After all, this is what white canes are for, right? So we don't get hurt?
Well, after I had walked a few meters, this Karen got out of the car and yelled: "Hey! You! Wait a moment!" I stopped and turned around. She yelled: "You just hit my car with your stick!" Feeling a little perplexed and not knowing what to answer, I simply replied: "Yeah, I'm sorry Ma'am, your car is parked on the sidewalk, I didn't see it." She made some angry noises, then she yelled: "MY CAR IS BRANDNEW!!!!" Once again I apologized. I mean... what else was I supposed to do or say?? The car was parked with two wheels on the sidewalk but our sidewalks are kinda narrow so I was inevitably going to hit it with my cane. I really hadn't seen it before I heard the "plonc" noise of the cane hitting against the plastic part at the bottom of the car.
The woman clearly wasn't satisfied with my repeated apologies because she yelled: "Ugggghhhh STAY THERE! I'm going to check if you made a scratch!" I was getting a bit frustrated myself by this point because I really wanted to catch that bus. From behind her car she yelled: "If you made a scratch, you'll have to pay for it!!!" This really scared me because I'm currently unemployed and despite my blindness, my government refuses to give me any disability benefits... meaning I'm extremely low on money. I basically live off of savings. The woman kept yelling threats like: "If you damaged my brandnew car, I'm going to be seriously pissed!!" and "My husband is gonna throw your stupid stick in the trash!!" After a while I said in as polite a voice as I could muster up: "Ma'am, I'm very sorry about hitting your car but I'm pretty sure the car is fine." Apparently she couldn't find any scratches because she returned to the passenger door and only grumbled something in response. I wished her a nice day and quickly left before she had time to make any more threats.
This experience made me wonder, though, has anything like this ever happened to anyone else? It honestly makes me scared to use my cane because I don't want to accidentally break something and then be forced to pay it. But at the same time, I think it's kinda terrible that I'm scared now... I shouldn't have to be scared of using my cane outdoors. After all, sighted people aren't constantly worrying because they use their eyes and my cane is basically like a sighted person's eyes.
So anyway, I wonder what you guys think.
Well, after I had walked a few meters, this Karen got out of the car and yelled: "Hey! You! Wait a moment!" I stopped and turned around. She yelled: "You just hit my car with your stick!" Feeling a little perplexed and not knowing what to answer, I simply replied: "Yeah, I'm sorry Ma'am, your car is parked on the sidewalk, I didn't see it." She made some angry noises, then she yelled: "MY CAR IS BRANDNEW!!!!" Once again I apologized. I mean... what else was I supposed to do or say?? The car was parked with two wheels on the sidewalk but our sidewalks are kinda narrow so I was inevitably going to hit it with my cane. I really hadn't seen it before I heard the "plonc" noise of the cane hitting against the plastic part at the bottom of the car.
The woman clearly wasn't satisfied with my repeated apologies because she yelled: "Ugggghhhh STAY THERE! I'm going to check if you made a scratch!" I was getting a bit frustrated myself by this point because I really wanted to catch that bus. From behind her car she yelled: "If you made a scratch, you'll have to pay for it!!!" This really scared me because I'm currently unemployed and despite my blindness, my government refuses to give me any disability benefits... meaning I'm extremely low on money. I basically live off of savings. The woman kept yelling threats like: "If you damaged my brandnew car, I'm going to be seriously pissed!!" and "My husband is gonna throw your stupid stick in the trash!!" After a while I said in as polite a voice as I could muster up: "Ma'am, I'm very sorry about hitting your car but I'm pretty sure the car is fine." Apparently she couldn't find any scratches because she returned to the passenger door and only grumbled something in response. I wished her a nice day and quickly left before she had time to make any more threats.
This experience made me wonder, though, has anything like this ever happened to anyone else? It honestly makes me scared to use my cane because I don't want to accidentally break something and then be forced to pay it. But at the same time, I think it's kinda terrible that I'm scared now... I shouldn't have to be scared of using my cane outdoors. After all, sighted people aren't constantly worrying because they use their eyes and my cane is basically like a sighted person's eyes.
So anyway, I wonder what you guys think.
LilacRose32 45 points 1y ago
I take a certain amount of joy in hitting cars that block pedestrian routes. I particularly hate those that don’t keep crossings clear
Admittedly this is in a busy city centre where I’m confident there are other people around
Admittedly this is in a busy city centre where I’m confident there are other people around
Sewn27 16 points 1y ago
When I’m out with my best friend and people don’t get out of the way she delights in Yelling: blind person coming through and she’s got a stick! Maybe that’s Texas sense of humor, I don’t know that I would do it on the streets of London.
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Sewn27 7 points 1y ago
Yes, yes she really is! Many years ago and I do mean many, we were wedding photographers together and usually she would stand at the camera and I would go up and down the lines straightening boutonnieres and pulling cuffs, Make making sure the bridal party looked really great. There were times when someone would get their nose bent out of shape, ( I do have a bit of an attitude problem myself), so if I threw the bride‘s skirts too high to fluff them out or told the groom he had to do it my way, she would pipe up and say yes all this and I show too!!! Quite literally one of the best human beings I have ever had the pleasure to meet that alone work with. Robyn you’ve always had my back❣️❣️
[deleted] 8 points 1y ago
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Laser_Lens_4 6 points 1y ago
Yes yes yes. This is a delicious reply.
Laser_Lens_4 28 points 1y ago
Honestly, those kind of people deserve the finger and a cold shoulder. They're gonna make you pay for it? On whos authority? Imagine the shitstorm that would result if she actually tried to sue you. Don't be ashamed to use that cane of yours just because of stuck-up morons like that. Walk away and go about your business.
DarkDan3 16 points 1y ago
Exactly, it's like how ignorant can you be? First of all I don't think a tap with a cane is going to do anything to your car. Second of all it isn't their fault that you didn't bother to park properly. Third of all the most obvious point is that they're fucking blind. If that person was in the car they could have easily let the blind person know that they're slightly in the way and to Veer to the right or left. I guess common courtesy doesn't exist anymore.
Arinvar 5 points 1y ago
In Australia and I'd assume a lot of Europe, the car would be considered illegally parked. In Australia, even if it's on your driveway, if it's over the footpath it's still illegally parked. So they'd have no grounds to sue anyway.
505Griffon 18 points 1y ago
I am truly amazed at how sincere and polite you remained throughout the incident. You should get an award. I would have lost my cool quickly and threatened to call the police for a ticket for parking on the sidewalk. I still have some vision left, so I would have taken some photos on my phone.
I suspect the driver has auto insurance and can use it if really needed.
Karen is just upset and will find something else to complain about in another 10 minutes.
I suspect the driver has auto insurance and can use it if really needed.
Karen is just upset and will find something else to complain about in another 10 minutes.
lacitar 16 points 1y ago
I am sorry this happened to you. Now imagine you didn't have a cane, walked into her car, and you hurt yourself. Then you could have a lawsuit against her. Please ignore that toxic Karen.
FiverNZen 15 points 1y ago
My friend bumped someone’s shoe with his cane and apologized. He got further down the sidewalk and the guy threw a brick at him and ran away. Insane. He hit his shoulder really close to his head. He could’ve been seriously hurt. People make me wonder sometimes.
[deleted] 7 points 1y ago
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PrincessDie123 5 points 1y ago
Literally no people either don’t get taught or don’t pay attention when they’re told what it means. Some people actually think it magically makes my vision 20/20 just to hold it like some goddamn magic scepter
FiverNZen 4 points 1y ago
Yeah… he thinks the person was on drugs or something bc of the wild overreaction lol. It was in Oregon US
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r_1235 11 points 1y ago
I am also very consirned about this. I live in an extreamly crowded city, and forget cars, people crash in to me, dispight my cane in the hand. Some of the idiots have been very rood when I accidentally bumped in to them. I know that getting stepped upon by a randum person on the road is not a thing we want to experience, but, sighted people should be aware of their surroundings, rather than sticking their noses in their phones. And, forget walking, some foolish people sit on the footpaths. Add streat dogs to this picture, and It's a horrible experience.
If a person actually ever dairs to sue me, I would be very amused. Just imagin a lawyer trying to sue visually challenged person for accidentally bumping in to something. I bet I could sue them back and win some serious money for emotional trawma. Although, don't want to deal with court mess ever.
If a person actually ever dairs to sue me, I would be very amused. Just imagin a lawyer trying to sue visually challenged person for accidentally bumping in to something. I bet I could sue them back and win some serious money for emotional trawma. Although, don't want to deal with court mess ever.
[deleted] 1 points 1y ago
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Altie-McAltface 8 points 1y ago
Kind of a pity she didn’t try and sue you. The court of public opinion would have put her through the wringer.
Sewn27 8 points 1y ago
Grandma here, the nerve of people! I wish to God a policeman had seen this exchange. I wish she was stupid enough to take you to court. Not only would she have been fined for parking on the sidewalk but you probably could’ve made a pretty penny in damages for your pain and suffering. I am so sorry this happened to you. For the most part people are kind when they realize someone has a disability I want to do everything they can to ease the way. However there are there are those who have Lobotomies at birth and just don’t know how to be kind. Let it roll off your back! Don’t give it another thought. Pull your shoulders back, Lift up your chin and go on and live your life. Hopefully you will not run into any more of these idiots. If you do keep your cool an appeal to a cited person nearby. May love surround you❣️
SoapyRiley 8 points 1y ago
I never worry about it bc here in NC drivers are responsible for any damage a vehicle receives while improperly parked. And that means I rather enjoy whacking the crap out of the utility vans parked on the sidewalk and then making a scene about how I’m having such a hard time getting around them. It’s not that big a deal for me now, but as I get closer to total, it will be and I hope to have made a whole lot more people think their choices through by then.
Eriona89 3 points 1y ago
Those utility vans are my favourite. I smack them and loudly bitch about how inconsiderate they are parking on the side walk.
TrailMomKat 2 points 1y ago
Heya! I live in NC too! I've still got a bit of sight left, but I had to harp at a delivery driver recently for just dumping my package in my driveway, and I know damn well he saw me coming out with my cane beforehand because I heard it hit the gravel. Then I tripped over the damned thing. I'm not reporting him because he sounded young and new, but made it clear that "when you see a white cane, put that shit in their HAND, don't drop it in the fucking driveway, son." He apologized too, so I let it go. I'm glad I did, because he was back 3 days later with another package. I heard the truck and went out front, and I heard him laugh as he put the package against my hand and apologized again for the last time. He's a pretty good dude, and now he knows the right thing to do. I put a box next to the door at his suggestion, too, just in case I don't hear him one day-- he'll put packages there if I don't come outside, so that I'll know where they are.
Aggressive-Yoghurt31 7 points 1y ago
The right thing to do is walk on, but even just reading this I want to find this woman and beat The shit out of her because she deserves it. I would gladly break my cane against her head
BaBaBroke 4 points 1y ago
Karma tells me she is going to back into a tree and do real damage. Hopefully the tree has a lawyer.
Mr5t1k 4 points 1y ago
You should have told her to fuck off…
Like it was not intended, people are ridiculous.
Like it was not intended, people are ridiculous.
[deleted] 3 points 1y ago
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tarunag10 3 points 1y ago
I’m sorry you had to go through this. People should be more considerate and understanding. Besides like you rightly said- a sidewalk is no place for a car to be parked. Besides don’t worry at all. She cannot sue you or anyone else. Please do not be scared about this. Besides I’m a lawyer in case you EVER need any legal help I am happy to connect and help you out with it.
AnnaNMouse 3 points 1y ago
What an evil creature! I’m so sorry that happened to you. Wow… how awful. I hope she calmed down and then felt instantly horrible for treating another human being that way.
Remy_C 2 points 1y ago
First, she was blowing off steam in typical "Karen" fassion — poor ACTUALLY lovely Karens. Second, no judge is going to give that the time of day. Third, she'd actually need to know your details which, unless you have your name painted on the back of your shirt is going to require you to give your info. Fourth, unless you're swinging your cain like that car owes you money, you're not going to make a scratch. Unless your cane is like mine and has a broken off tip. Finally, it's just common curtasy: don't park on the bloody damn sidewalk you manky scrote. You're just asking for trouble. If it hadn't been a blind person teaching you the dangers, it might have been a dog peeing on it. I actually have some sight, and I'm sorry — not sory — to say I may have purposefully given a sidewalk sitter a slightly harty cane swipe in passing to prove a point. Because if I hadn't hit it with my cane, maybe I might have stumbled right into your damn hot box and dented my own fleshy self.
PrincessDie123 2 points 1y ago
Not sure how stuff works where you’re at and I’m not legal professional but I’m personally pretty sure courts would be more likely to side with you especially if the complaint was lodged for you using your white cane whereas if you blindly fumbled into her car and scratched it while knowing you needed a white cane but chose to risk damage/safety anyway there’s a probably small chance you might get a fine. If she actually called any authority on you for tapping her car with your cane they would most likely tell her to stop wasting peoples time. Truth be told she most likely had no idea that the cane means you’re blind, a shocking number of people don’t know what a white cane is or how they work. I got kicked out of a Lyft a couple months ago because the driver about had a fit over a light tap as I tried to get in and he told me to get out because he tried to grab the cane away from me and I told him not to grab it. Lots of unpleasantness due to ignorance.
ChipsAhoiMcCoy 2 points 1y ago
This in particular hasn’t happened to me but there was one instance in a little Caesars where I accidentally bumped into some girl and I guess I bumped into her butt and she turned around saying stuff about me sexually harassing her or something? I explained I was blind and she didn’t seem to understand that sometimes I can’t help but bump into someone so my friend had to walk up and explain what I was saying to her about an a not so nice way and she finally understood and went about her day people aren’t very understanding sometimes
Mamamagpie 1 points 11m ago
Flip side, knew a totally blind guy in college. He told a story from his time in high school. In crowded halls changing class he would have friend guide him. And signal how high to hold his hand to me ‘accidentally’ touch boobs.
He had matured a little in college…
He had matured a little in college…
Minister_of_Joy [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Ooooh yes, these "sexual harrassment" moments also happen to me sometimes, though fortunately, most women react nicely about it. Just the other day I had something of this sort happen to me. I went to the hairdresser and after getting my haircut, I got up from the chair and asked the hairdresser to give me her elbow and lead me to wherever I'm supposed to pay. I'm not sure if I was moving too quickly or her too slowly or if there was some type of misunderstanding but at any rate, I stretched out my hand and made this round pincer-shape with it, expecting to grab the girl's upper arm. Instead what I ended up grabbing was her boob lol. Of course I apologized and she said "no problem" but I felt absolutely mortified afterwards. I was glad I could leave a minute later lol.
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
I literally laughed out loud it was so absurd.
If it was me I would probably laugh or be so offended. Not sure if I’d be so even keeled or I’d just walk away.
Don’t mind her and please keep using your cane.
If it was me I would probably laugh or be so offended. Not sure if I’d be so even keeled or I’d just walk away.
Don’t mind her and please keep using your cane.
potato_rock_bandit 2 points 1y ago
So sorry you had to outclass this witch so much; next time I hope you consider letting a witch talk to the back of your head as you tune her out and carry on with your day.
I have some other health issues that can result in a bad temper on my part, in your shoes I would have been sorely tempted to go back and confirm with her which car exactly it was I'd hit. I've got a heavy resin disc as my tip, you can bet your booty it would have made contact with as many panels of her broom (that's what witches travel on, isn't it?) as I could manage.
She and her threats to make you pay for anything can go pee up a rope and suck the wet end. When people receive damage to their vehicle while it's parked, they have insurance to cover actual damage. You are a non-insured third party and for all you know, any mark she found was one she made herself and wants to blame someone else for.
Again, I'm sorry this happened to you, it's very frustrating and also really unfair of her to think she can treat you that way. I would be worried about this happening again as well. I know what it's like to feel the need to acknowledge others, in your shoes I've developed a persona who takes no guff that I pull out when necessary. GOSH I'm still ticked off on your behalf here. Thanks for sharing it so we are aware of yet another way humans can suck and make it our problem to deal with.
I have some other health issues that can result in a bad temper on my part, in your shoes I would have been sorely tempted to go back and confirm with her which car exactly it was I'd hit. I've got a heavy resin disc as my tip, you can bet your booty it would have made contact with as many panels of her broom (that's what witches travel on, isn't it?) as I could manage.
She and her threats to make you pay for anything can go pee up a rope and suck the wet end. When people receive damage to their vehicle while it's parked, they have insurance to cover actual damage. You are a non-insured third party and for all you know, any mark she found was one she made herself and wants to blame someone else for.
Again, I'm sorry this happened to you, it's very frustrating and also really unfair of her to think she can treat you that way. I would be worried about this happening again as well. I know what it's like to feel the need to acknowledge others, in your shoes I've developed a persona who takes no guff that I pull out when necessary. GOSH I'm still ticked off on your behalf here. Thanks for sharing it so we are aware of yet another way humans can suck and make it our problem to deal with.
trees202 1 points 1y ago
My 5 year old crashed his bike into the neighbors car yesterday. Not my problem.. Bitch shouldn't have been blocking the sidewalk. 🤷♀️
I'm sorry you had to experience that, next time just pretend like you're deaf and keep walking😉
I'm sorry you had to experience that, next time just pretend like you're deaf and keep walking😉
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 1y ago
I won't go into the details but yes I have been physically grabbed by two men whose car I whacked with the cane. It took me a while to work out that they were police officers, but I guess it also took them a while to work out I couldn't see, despite the fact I was walking out of my front gate with a cane in my hand. Some people have an IQ smaller than their shoe size. And yes, we followed that up with the police and it was sorted out to my satisfaction.
I have also been queried for hitting dogs, children and roombas.
I'm with u/LilacRose32 on the keeping score of how many inconsiderately parked cars you can get, especially after the whole dumbass cop incident. Probably we should not be publicising our quiet joy in doing that.
I have also been queried for hitting dogs, children and roombas.
I'm with u/LilacRose32 on the keeping score of how many inconsiderately parked cars you can get, especially after the whole dumbass cop incident. Probably we should not be publicising our quiet joy in doing that.
Eriona89 1 points 1y ago
No judge in his right mind would hold you liable for the damage IF there is any. You just using your mobility aid.
One time I was walking with my cane on the side walk and there was a mopet parked in the way. (They can park legally om the side walk in my country) This mopet took a lot of space so I gave a good firm tap with my cane and the alarm goes off. A really angry guy comes storming outside, seeing my and apologise for the bad parking.
One time I was walking with my cane on the side walk and there was a mopet parked in the way. (They can park legally om the side walk in my country) This mopet took a lot of space so I gave a good firm tap with my cane and the alarm goes off. A really angry guy comes storming outside, seeing my and apologise for the bad parking.
Cwuka 0 points 1y ago
Just curious, how bad is your vision?
Minister_of_Joy [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Sorry for the late response. I'm completely blind on my left eye. Some light perception but only on good days. On my right eye, I see about 1.5% (we use percentages where I live). I'm not sure how to translate this into the American system but I guess it would be around 0.3/20? Basically, I'm able to see colors and some (very blurry) shapes. My field of vision is also reduced quite a bit around the edges. So... essentially I see very, very little. I've got a tiny bit of functional eyesight left on my right eye but not much. Plus, my condition is not something stable because it's caused by a chronic illness, so I've got good days and bad days. On a really good day, I might've seen that car but on really bad days, I see even less than what I've described above.
Cwuka 1 points 1y ago
Wow. Thanks for responding, last question; for how long have you been like this? Has it been gradual?
DannyMTZ956 -4 points 1y ago
Use your cane appropriately and cars won’t be damaged. There are certainly blind individuals that will wack their canes harder on purpose, and if this is the case, they should be made to pay the damage they cause.
The woman you encountered over reacted in a negative way. You deserved an oppology.
The woman you encountered over reacted in a negative way. You deserved an oppology.
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