Reactions when you meet blind person in public
By Ramaditya
@Ramaditya (1227)
Indonesia
April 30, 2011 5:29pm CST
Hello guys,
There are a lot of reactions when we meet or see a blind person in public. Sometimes we say, "Pity him," or sometimes we say, "How he manages to deal with his life," etc.
I myself am a blind person (if you wonder how I can operate computer and post this, open up Google and type SCREEN READER). Because I cannot see people's reaction in public, so that I am unable to determine good response except doing direct contact with them (when they touched me or spoke to me).
So, please, become me eyes. You may share your own reaction if you meet blind person in public area such as streets, malls, or other places. You may also share general people's reaction so that it can add my knowledge up.
Thanks!
1 person likes this
14 responses
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
1 May 11
I don't usually pay much attention to my reactions to blind people. I guess mostly I admire their courage to step out when they don't know what is out there. I worked with a blind man for a while and he worked independently so no one bothered him. I actually feel good when I know that a blind person has the confidence to hold a job and to get around on their own. It seems like most of the blind people I know prefer to do things for themselves rather than someone else doing everything for them. I know you can't drive, but other than that, I'm pretty sure you can do anything you put your mind to. Don't worry what people think. If they are so preoccupied with what you can't do or how different you are, that is THEIR problem, not yours. I'm glad that you are able to post here. Perhaps you should also do some kind of blog to show what it is like in the life of a blind person. I have done that with my life with ovarian cancer. Have a great day!!!
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
That's true! Most blind people prefer doing things by their own because they think they are the one understand what they need. But nowadays when communication and socialisation develop there are also many of them that can colaborate and do things more openly to public, so they can benefit more from that.
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
1 May 11
It is good that blind people prefer to do things on their own, but if help is offered it is sometimes good to accept it. Sometimes people don't know how to approach a blind person and what kind of assistance they are willing to accept. Some people might stare or talk about what they have seen and wonder about how you survive and things like that, but it mostly the fact that they don't really know. If you could educate people on the best way to approach a blind person or to start a conversation or something like that, it might help the sighted community to know what your needs really are.
@StrobeLightNick (54)
• United States
1 May 11
I like to stick out my middle finger, and if they don't make any sudden movements or sounds, they deserve some charity.
@StrobeLightNick (54)
• United States
1 May 11
It's just a crazy world where any sort of deadbeat can ask you for a dollar, even if they can do anything. On the streets, it's very difficult to find who deserves some cash. I'm glad you can function. [internet pat on the back]
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
1 May 11
I picked up my disabled sons medicine and saw braille on the packaging. I think it is it amazing how blind people read with their finger using braille. I like to see a blind person being assisted by a guide dog or a partially sighted person with a stick using it to walk along the street. I give a blind person plenty of space to walk along. If a person can't see he or she will have hearing and touch. I think that blind people do very well in life. Screen Reader is a very good idea to help blind people like yourself.
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
Exactly. That's what we call "helper" instead of being pity to us. Not only you help us with good way, but also develop our confidence as well!
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
1 May 11
I'm pretty used to see blind people in my everyday life, and my reaction usually is just trying not to get in their way when they're walking, so I won't bother them turning into an obstacle. Apart from that, I don't think I have any special reaction, as for me it's something very common. I'm not a blind person myself, but for me, blind people, apart from lacking the sense of sight, are not so different from me.
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
Nice point. To see us equally is a good path to respect our equality as a human being. Thanks for sharing!
@davidkwan95 (185)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
My reaction when I meet a blind person is somehow like, pity on this guy who can't see. Thanks God for making me still able to see
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
It's good that you can admire what God has given you, in this case, fully functional eyes to see. There are some that do not thankfully use it, so I hope you can admire God even more.
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
Sure my friend, it's bad. It's not our choice to be borned that way. But, to be sorry or to be happy without it, it's definitely our choice, and I choose the second option. :)
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
1 May 11
Actually i have indeed seen a lot blind people who would even take public Transports. I honestly feel that they should always be accompaniesd by people wrong would assist them. Philippines to be direct is not disabled friendly,even government facilities you would notice that they give little considerations for people who be incapacitated. So it Worries me a just seeing them alone.
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
Not only you, even my mother feels the same thing about me (worry). Yes it should, but don't worry a lot. As long as we've got tools to assist our exploration, everything is going to be okay, at least, safer.
Thanks for sharing!
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
1 May 11
Hi Ramaditya: First of all I have to say wow. Thanks for the explanation. I have worked on a computer room in my university and I didn't know how blind persons can used the Internet. Thanks for that explanation. In general I feel sorry because it might be difficult to be in a situation like this and second I feel admired, when a blind person does the same things I do and they even do it better. Thanks for starting this discussion. Welcome back to Mylot.
ALVARO
@misc11 (384)
• United States
30 Apr 11
Whenever I see a blind person, I always stare at them and then immediately catch myself and try to keep walking. I don't stare because I feel sorry for the person or because the person is different, I stare because I have admiration for the person and am curious by nature. It amazes me to watch a blind person walk with so much confidence and not see what is in front of them. The other senses that are so much more developed in a blind person amazes me. I watch because I wonder what that person can hear that I can't or what that person can detect on a path that people who can see never take a second glance at. As for other people, I do not think many people notice a blind person because there are generally no differences. I think people notice people who have more outward differences or who have visible handicaps, so I don't think as many people even notice as you would think.
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
Yes I can understand that. Admiration because we blind people can handle something difficult, something considered to be impossible thing, right? Hope it can also be a good motivation for you, so that you can use your advantage wisely.
Thanks for sharing! :)
@ckciasigurl (2081)
• Italy
1 May 11
hi ramaditya!
Yesterday when i am on my way going to school, i saw a girl that is blind she will ride a jeepney .so i ask her what way she will go so i waited for the right jeep and accompany her going to the jeep ,luckily some other people also help me like they hold the hand of the girl and guide her where she will sit. when i saw a blind person who is beggar at the street i pity them they are singing and begging some money ,honestly i gave some money but are this blind people are in a group on what we call the "sindicate" they let them beg after that when they go home they will remit there money and if it is not obtain some punishment will be done. i don't know if this is true in my country but i have learned that its better to give a food than a money . did you watch the movie "slumdog millionaire" that movie has a part which the sindicate find a good singer after which they remove the eyes and make them sing while begging that's the time i realize, if that is the same case in the street if i am walking, i like to help them but im still a student now i can just help them buy giving them a food.
@Ramaditya (1227)
• Indonesia
1 May 11
Yes, that case also happens here in my country. Well as a blind person myself I don't mind if my friends (blind) do singing or begging, as long as that's the only thing they can do. Repeat, the only thing they can do.
Yep, that little trick (giving food instead of money) will help reduce that kind of criminal pattern. Only in my country something like that is not really big (it happens to children though).
So let me say this to the blind people near you ... YO GUYS HAVE THE POWER!!!
@kalithedestroyer (71)
• United States
1 May 11
I was partially blind due to cataracts. i usually held onto someones arm while walking outside. i never learned to be independant, because i knew i was getting my eyes fixed soon, but i did notice that people treated me differently and it wasn't very pleasant
@StrobeLightNick (54)
• United States
1 May 11
I was looking at your page, and there is some material regarding beautiful beeches and sexy videogame characters, and amime. did you lose your sight in some horrible accident 5 months ago? How did it happen?
@lsdshrooms (214)
• United States
1 May 11
I don't "pity" them, but when I see a blind person in public I try to imagine myself in their shoes and it's quite scary. I try to move out of their immediate path (Who would be inconsiderate enough to stand in a blind person's way? Move!) I'm not one of those people that sees a blind person and thinks "Oh wow I feel sorry for that poor person" because I'm quite sure they won't want pity or sympathy, just to be treated normally and maybe assisted when needed.