Category: Getting to Know You
One of the things I have difficulty with in regards to my blindness is when I am complimented by people who barely know me. You know, when you are told you're amazing when whatever you did was something you do pretty much without a second thought. OK, yeah, I understand it might come from the perspective of the complimenter imagining they were blind, concluding they'd be pathetic, helpless and depressed to the point of suicide, but I think what bothers me is that I'm being made out to be much more than I actually am. I'm no hero, no role model or a being with superior traits. I'm just doing my thing and living my life the best I know how. Really, although I'm fairly independent, I'm sure there are blind folks much more independent and active than I am, and I'm called amazing? Yes, I'll admit that being referred to as amazing is much better than people assuming you're an idiot or constantly sad or depressed or scared or spend every second of your life wishing you could see again. Any thoughts?
Beats having them cross the street to keep from dealing with you.
Hey, why not, we are all pretty damned amazing, but not just for being blind.
Does anybody see my cane?
Bob
I enjoy it and often agree with the person while wearing a cheeky grin.
Yeah I'm amazing! So are you enjoy it.
Now where did I put my shoes.
Godzilla, this happened to me when I was younger. While I was waiting at an intersection for the light to turn green an elderly homeless woman got very close to me and said, "You have courage like the gods!" Those were her exact words and I still don't know what she meant. lol I was just learning how to travel with the cane and so I was afraid of crossing busy intersections. And I've also experienced the other side of this, from another homeless person. He was sitting down all loaded on a curb next to a gasoline station, and I walked by with my cane, and for no reason at all, he began to shout in a beligerent tone that I thought I was better than him. It was embarrassing because there was a lot of traffic. But I think that at times the simple things blind people do can serve as encouragement or motivation for those who are discouraged, and I don't see anything wrong with that. Oh yeah, and my English teacher once used me as an example to motivate fellow classmates to get better grades. lol My brother, who isn't blind, was also treated like an amazing person by a woman at the university he was attending. But she praised him for being one of the few Mexicans on campus. lol
I guess the problem I have with being seen as amazing for doing ordinary things is that I wonder what people expect of me? I'm probably going to be brutalized for admitting a few faults here, but I'm overweight, losing my hair slowly, unemployed and currently have no real ambition, am cynical and probably considered grouchy and of course I'm introverted. Now, what kind of hero or role model is that for anyone? How is that amazing? To me, an amazing person does things that take extraordinary effort that most average humans just don't possess, or are otherwise very extraordinary folk. So what gives?
wow, imagine if you did something really amazingly awesome, then what would they say? If someone says i'm amazing, I just smile and say thanks and that's pretty much the end of it. People are gonna have their perceptions no matter what you say. I mean if you're doing something that just comes naturally to you, yet someone else thinks it's amazing, their mind is pretty much already made up. I'm not here to perform amazing feats, I'm just here to do what I do and try and get along the best I can. It is a weird thing I'll admit, but it's like Godzilla says, it's better than someone thinking you're a pathetic loser. LOL!
Yeah, Toonhead, that's the thing. So me being who I am amazes. Imagine me starting to climb walls, spontaneously spin webs, and fight crime here in Seattle? What would I be then? I mean, where do you go past amazing, right? Hahahaha!
Hi Godzilla. I can relate. I've been telling the sighted world that our abilities, talents, and the act of breathing, eating, sleeping, walking, and talking has nothing to do with being blind
! I know the world needs to be educated, but common sense should take over. You know what I do now? I tell them they're amazing. They can drive, cook, pay their bills, and even read street signs. Sounds cruel, but you'd be surprised at what they say. "Well hun, I'm doing what I have to do." And I smile, giggle, and say, "Well, I'm doing what I have to do. also." I know I sound unkind, and please don't think I'm an unkind person. But like grandma used to say, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. lol.
This is a very interesting subject. I don't see myself as amazing or extraordinary. It's just people's perception of the blind. The compliments are appreciated all the same.
I'll take a compliment where ever I can get it. <lol>
I doubt that most amazing people actually see themselves as amazing. Did Mother Terresa see herself as better than the rest of us?
When you come to think of it, to much of the world we are all pretty amazing.
We cope in a world that isn't meant for us at all.
We manage to eat, have friends, be a friend, laugh, cry, and bitch, though many don't expect us to do any of these things.
I have been blind all of my life, and am as harsh as the next person on my fellow blindies. However, coming here on the zone, I have also seen a lot of courage, compassion and love around here.
So, in short, you bet I'm amazing, and I'm amazed at the world and people around me. So, take a compliment and keep going.
Just my thoughts.
Bob
I am absolutely amazing. so amazing I can only get more amazing, lol, just kidding. i like to always go beyond what I can do, see if I can go far beyond the limit, push my limits to expand even more. That's just how I've always been...