Category: Let's talk
Hi All, I don't know if there's another topic like this one on the boards, but I didn't want to go looking. I was wondering what all of you are afraid of. May seem like an odd question, but Here's my input. I'm very afraid of escalaters. I remember one time me and my grandma were on an escalater, and we fell. I'm so terrified of them. I remember one time, I went with the other students at a blindness training center to the mall. In order to get to the food court, we had to take the escalater. I wasn't trained on them at that time. I fought and fought not to get on an escalater. At the end, I was balling my eyes out. Finally, I gave in, and went on the escalater. I told myself that I'd never go on another escalater.
at least you did it. Sometimes, we just have to face our fears head on and deal with them.
I'm terrified of any sort of insect. probably because I can't see them. This next fear is so abstract. fear of the unknown. lots of questions right now, like what will the future bring? Will I be able to stand on my own two feet one day? we'll just have to wait and see.
I am afraid of any change. Like if we get a driver on the buses that doesn't know the way and I cant give him directions.
For me, I think it would be losing my hearing. I have a slight hearing loss now, probably from listeningto music too loudly on headphones, and the aging process. Also, as some of you know, my ears ring, whistle and make all sorts of other assorted noises on their own. Thus far, I've been able to work around all the above. It isn't a feat thar paralizes me into doing nothing, but I'm concerned about this should it become a reality for me.
Thanks for starting this topic, Katie.
Lou
tonks, with you on the insects thing. also, heights, losing my hearing as well, and also not beingabel to have the ability to provide for myself and oved ones.
I am afraid of aeroplanes but i have to use them frequently, afraid of bein dizy,or fainting, and swimming. Also fires and things like that. I can use the oven right now but i can't yet fry or use the stove.
I'm fierce phobic of Black cars
Stevie
Birds, Crossing busy intersections, that is because of getting hit twice. hmm what else, probably water, but I am getting over that 1slowly!
I am afraid of any bug, snakes, sometimes the future, and losing my hearing as well. I love to sing and never to be able to do that would drive me crazy. Music is my life!!
Hmmm! I'm afraid of any buzzing flying stinging insects, some small dogs, not as steady and quiet as larger dogs and can actually sting somewhat if they jump on you feet first, lollol, some blood tests, mind you I didn't really feel the last one just a couple of months back, crossing very busy main roads/intersections on my own in case I got hit by a car, anything sharp or dangerous in any other way really. I used to have a huge phobia of loud noises, stemming I think, from when I was about 18 months old, I had glue ears which sort of amplify just normal sounds to make them about 100 times louder. We were at mum's cousin's wedding, I was wearing this pretty summery dress, we were stodd outside the church, obviously right underneath the clock tower, mum was holding me and the clock, right above my fucking head, excuse me, struck 11. Ouwhwhwhwhwhwhwhwhchy! It was quite a high, harsh sounding bell as well. Ever since that experience, for about 9 years, I just couldn't go near anything like a bell tower, ice cream vans, loud fireworks or gun fire, jets taking off, even animals which made a loud noise. I'd just completely freak out, freeze on the spot and scream my blimming head offas it really did hurt my ears.
Jen.
I'm the biggest chicken in the world. I am afraid of flying. Afraid of the dark and yes I know I'm an adult but any noise that I can't explain. And even at my age though I'm sure it's not true and only a myth I will not go into a room on my own, look in a mirror and say bloody merry 10 times or any variation of it lol.
afraid of irons, and other various people, places, and things, which I will not mention here.
Well, you all made some wonderful posts. Everyone's afraid of something, even if it's strange. I'm also afraid of being paralized, or losing my hearing. I'm afraid of fires, that's why I don't use ovens. I used to be afraid of staying home alone, but not anymore. Don't laugh, but I'm afraid of being alone in the quiet. It's kind of like being afraid of the dark. I'm an adult. I don't know how the fear got started, but I believe it was from a bad dream. I'm afraid of losing loved ones as well. I'm afraid of things that bite or sting or scratch.
I'am afraid of the world running out of beer one day that would suck.
But in all honestly I'am afraid of flying I still do it but I try to go to sleep as soon as I sit on the plain.
I think the only thing that scares me about flying is the point when the plane takes off from the runway, and once I've landed, I can't hear very much, but at least I got where I needed to go. The only time I was on a plane by myself was my journey to and from guide dogs for the blind last May.
Download87 take it from this paraplegic, deafness would be worse man. You'd have some eejit shouting at you thinking their helping and all the time you'd be going mad with the stupidity of it all.
Stevie.
Only time I was ever afraid when flying was one day when we had to landin philadelphia. I could tell something was wrong, because we just sat up there for about 20 minutes. The pilot came on and said "we're having a little problem with the landing gear, but we think we got it straightened out. We're gonna have the emergency vehicles on standby, just in case." As the plane landed, I heard the sirens and the horns of the ambulances and fire trucks. Didn't do much for my sense of security.
Lou
hi.
I have some stuff I'm afraid of. here's my list,
1. the diving board. I used to never be afraid of that thing until someone pushed me off of it.
2. bees.
3. escalators. I don't know. the consept of moving stairs always scared me.
4. thundrs storms. I'm getting better at it though, now I'm only afraid ofthe big huge ones with the hail and winds and stuff.
5. losing someone I care about.
that's my list.
One thing that i'm afraid of is losing someone i care about. My grandmother passed away a week ago. I was so upset because i didn't even have a chance to say i love her. Thats the only thing that i'm afraid of and it already happened so i can't do anything about it than to be happy that she is already at peace.
To the last post, I'm so sorry you learned that lesson the hard way as I did. I've made a solom vow since then to not miss the chance to tell people how special they are in my life, because we just never know when we'll get that chance again. I think of it as being a legacy to the friend I never told that while he was alive.
Lou
Hey, it’s allright. Thats the main reason it takes me awhile to get over some things. I care too much that it takes awhile for me to, but At least, I was given a chance to meet someone like her. I’m feeling better knowing that she died peacefully, but other than that I’m not afraid of anything. I’m not afraid to say what I feel especially to someone close to me because you never know what will happen tomorrow.
I've always been afraid I'll die, and not have accomplished something decent to help others. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to necessarily do anything big, but I do want to go out knowing that I've made a difference somewhere in some fassion
I also worry somewhat about finding a job once I actually go looking (after college and the like.) I'm well aware the unemployment in the blind community is rather high.
losing someone i care about. that's the worst thing
insects. all of them
plains too but i take it if i have too and i suffer in silence. but i'm afraid if someone has to take them too
and other things i'm not sure i should mention here
i'm afraid of fear
I'm afraid not to complete my degree and I'm not known for procrastination.
Stevie.
I agree with post 22. The last time i checked was on a brochure that states about 66% of the blind or visually impaired community 18 to 60 does not have a job. So, thats good though that your looking for a job.
I'm afraid of hurricanes and tornadoes because of the high amount of winds and water. I'm also afraid of not necessarily dying but more so how I'm going to die. I'm also afraid of rats.
Kerby
omg i'm scared of a lot of things, people have no idea, cuz i put a good front up, let's see, I'm afraid of failure, people leaving, I had many people die suddenly and walk out on me, like family and stuff, afraid of change, the future, getting hurt, I'm talking not physically here..
physically I am afraid of all insects lol, urm but i can't think of anything else
and I have to add, Izzie is sooo predictable lol..
I'm afraid of bees, I'm somewhat afraid of failure, I constantly fear that all my family wil die and I'll be the only one left behind. I'm somewhat afraid of making mistakes.
Hell, we all make mistakes. just learn from them, and don't do what you did to land yourself in a predicament. No one's perfect.
When it comes to making mistakes, I'm reminded of something I read recently: To err is human; to really screw up, you need a computer.
Seriously, I don't know anyone who hasn't made a mistake, and sometimes, that's the way we learn. When I was a child, we were brainwashed into believing that as blind people we couldn't afford to make a mistake. That has stayed with me, and I'm slowly giving myself permission to screw up and feel good about myself. I've gotten better about that, but recognize I've a long way to go.
Lou
and I'm terrified of roller coasters. I don't mind enclosed water slides, though.
like graveyards, for some reason.
I am afraid of the dark
I just love roler coasters, and all kinds of amusement park rides. I am afraid of jumping into pools, and going up and down steps without rails.
Well I’m afraid of needles. I think if I don’t know where it’s coming from and how much pain it’s going to give me. I just get really freaked out. I never use to be afraid of the ocean but even sense I lost my vision I’m so afraid that I’ll get polled out to see and not know how to get back to shore. I’m also afraid to disappoint people, I know that sounds dumb, but I think it comes from my family always making me feel like I was a disappointment to them so I tried not to be, I’m trying to get over that because I know I can’t be perfect and make people happy so. That’s it so far. smile
I don't like going up and down steps without handrails or going in cars or veicles without seatbelts. I think that's probably because I was always told to wear a seatbelt or something. For some reason, I don't really like churchyards much either. I won't walk through them if I can help it. I'll just ask someone to take me round a different way.
I trust steven when I have to walk up and down steps with handrails. He helps me with balance, as well as guiding. Yes, I agree with the last post about seatbelts in cars. I insist people wait until I'm buckled before putting the car in drive.
Well, related to the seat belt thing, believe it or not, I'm afraid of the airbags going off. We wre in an accident once about ten years ago, I guess. The airbags exploded. It was like caps going off in my face. It has altered my hearing, so that I have a constant ringing in the ears. Every time I'm in the front seat of a car, and the breaks get slammed on, I put my hands up to my ears. I know the force of the airbags could injure my arm, but I didn't sleep much for the first month or six weeks after the accident, and I just don't want to go through that again.
Lou
I'm sorry, did I say steps with handrails? lol i meant without.
well, the seatbelt thing isn't a big deal. I rode busses that didn't have seat belts. I'm afraid of crossing busy streets, because I don't want to get hit.
Listening carefully to your trafric is key. You have to know when it's safe to cross, so you don't get hit. and once you've determined when it's safe to walk across, DON'T DAWDLE. You'll confuse the drivers.
i know what you mean about busy streets. i live in a small town and being in a big city with big busy streets scares me, but i'm sure i'll get over that eventually.
i'm terrified of balloons. i can go up and down stairs but they scare me because i'm afraid of heights. grasshoppers or other flying or jumping bug things... falling, which probably fits in with heights, and probably some other things too.
it's weird though, i'm terrified of heights but I love roller coasters.
That is strange. I'm scared of balloons. ever since one popped in my face when I was little, I've avoided them.
Probably the reason you don't mind roller coasters is that they move so fast that you get distracted by the dips and turns and don't have time to think about how high off the ground you are. *smile*.
Lou
I don't doddle when crossing streets, I walk slowly to begin with. I can only walk so fast, but when I get in the middle of a street, it might be too late and I'd get ran over.
I'm scared crapless of rollercoasters. I guess getting carried and tossed around like a rag doll so that you scream your head off, isn't my idea of fun. Also, when I was about 5, I was chased by a stray dog, so for a long time I was terrified of dogs. I've downgraded it to just being nervous around the big ones, especially when they start jumping around and such.
How about that! A dog afraid of other dogs. Lol! JK.
I admit I'm still somewhat afraid of needles of any size, unless they're sewing or nitting needles, then I'm not terrified. just the ones doctors and nurses stick patients with to inject medicine, or start an IV drip.
What a great topic. It’s good for each of us to see others who have similar fears since it lets us know we’re not alone with our own.
For me, without a doubt, flying stinging insects, like bees and wasps. It seems to be getting worse as I get older. I’ve followed the migration of the “killer bees” since I first heard of them when I was in 2nd grade. Each year they got a little closer, and now we’ve got them too. Oh well, it just gives me a good reason to stay inside with the air conditioning during hot summer months. Lol
Yes, flying, stinging, biting, buzzing insects have frightened me ever since I was little. I don't care if the average housefly doesn't do much accept pester you, I still hate them because I never know where they'll end up next.
I also hate needles. As long as it's sharp, I don't like it.
I'm terrified of fire. I get scared and nervous around hot stoves, greece, and I don't like frying because I'm too afraid to get burned.
Well, you all may not believe this, but I'm afraid to reboot my computer. After my friend telling me that she had to reformat her harddrive do to a missing windows startup file, I've been worried that would happen to me. I had 3 nightmares that I had to reformat, so I try to reboot my computer as little as possible, so I won't have to worry.
I'm terrified of crowds, of being closed in. I get panic attacks if I'm surrounded by a lot of people. You know how it is wne you're in a small area, and you have people pressing in on you from all sides? That's what I'm afraid of the most. I think that's also part of the reason I'm afraid of elevators, because they're closed in, plus I always had a fear that they would break down and I would be trapped. I would hate that.
I love elevators. I'm not afraid of crouds, but being squished in a tight area can be annoying once in a while.
I agree. Big crowds and places where there is a lot of peopel can get really annoying. and I'm also afraid of buzzing things, just the sound of their wings. it's like, if you kill it it's going to squish on you, but then it might just stick to my window and start buzzing when I least expect it and give me a panic attack! well I'm exagerating, but you know.
i am afraid of being harshly and severely insulted, as well as being yelled at.
this is my fear because i had bad experiences in elementary school.
i once dreamed that i was riding on a publick buss and i was laughing at somthing and someone else was crying and this woman yelled at me calling me an insensitive retard in spanish along with other very degrading words just because i was being silly on the buss.
then i wake up and cry uncontrolably and mom overhears it from the next room and says "what is wrong here," and i said someone called me a retarded insensitive b*tch and the bad word with a p in spanish.
and she was like "when did they do this." and i was like "i dreamed about it last night"
everyone started cracking up along with my brother and uncle very loudly and they all started saying "what is wrong with you today."
and then my brother was like "you are very confused between reality and a dream, i never expected that to happen but jees, don't take it to personal.
and mom is like "oh, get over it, its nothing real."
i indeed was confused about where i was and thought that i actually was being punished when in reality i wasn't because i was sleeping in my bed.
by the way, i was a freshmen in college which makes it more embarassing.
I'm also afraid of being yelled at do to bad experiences with my previous boyfriend. He yelled at me all the time, and insulted me. I have a new boyfriend now, and sometimes I have nightmares of him yelling at me.
let's see, I'm affraid of german shepherds. I was attacked by one flying comercially. My uncle was a pilot for 30 years and grounded because of alcoholism. So, every time i get on a plain, I am concerned about the sobriety of the person in the cockpit. i don't like to go in tunnels under water, e.g. the lincoln tunnel or baltimore harbor tunnel. that's it.
Wow. . .
I used to think that the only "real" fear I had was my parents getting divorced (they had separated & come back together 3 times by the time I was 3 years old). The time I was 3, I remembered that one all to clearly.
Anyway, after they finally divorced I figured I wasn't afraid of anything anymore. I was so pissed off & rebellious (inwardly, not outwardly), that I wasn't afraid of jack! Lol.
Now though, if I'm to be absolutely honest. . .
I'm afraid of:
1. Not being able to provide for my family.
2. Ending up all alone, either because everybody dies (family wise), or because I'm such a horrible person (in my own mind), that people will leave me because they hate me. So serious fear of abandonment.
3. Of getting lost/going out on my own. No matter where we go, I ALWAYS make someone come with me. Admittedly I do live in a rural community so buses aren't an option for me, but I don't ever go anywhere unless someone I know takes me & I stay right with them. Even with my cane, it's very, very rare that I'll wander away from them, even just a few feet. If I don't have my cane, I use sighted guide or hold onto the cart. (I'm working hard to overcome portions of this fear by carrying my cane more often/using it). I used to think it was part of the problem when I was in school, like if I didn't carry it the kids wouldn't hate me & beat up on me so much because they hated me. So I'm working hard to change/overcome that feeling now.
4. I also have a facial disfigurment, which is probably the real reason why the kids punched, kicked & spit on me. But anyway, I always feel like I'm in a fish tank when we go out in public, like everyone's continuously staring at the oddity on display. I still haven't really overcome that feeling, so it's compounded the difficulty of using my cane to the max. Which is probably why it's taken me so long to overcome not using it.
5. Bugs!! Lol. I'm trying to get used to them, but that too is a work in progress. When I was young I used to scream bloody murder when they buzzed around, but now I'm a bit calmer. I still jump, but I usually don't scream unless they show up out of nowhere & catch me off guard. Also, if I know that their bees & not horse/deer flies (because I have someone around me), I'm more relaxed. I know that bees serve a purpose & as long as I don't bother them, they won't bother me, so that helps me to stay calm about it.
6. Sitting in a car or at a resturaunt for too long by myself while someone goes to get something. It used to be that I couldn't handle it at all, now I can handle it for short periods of time, maybe 3-5 minutes. After that though I start getting nervous.
7. Public Service Announcements, or "Public Information Films" as their called overseas. I've never had any sight, whatsoever, not even light perception. I have prosthetic eyes, my eyes never formed in utero. So I have to imagine what's going on in them, & even when they really scary, sometimes I wonder if the image in my head isn't even more frightening then the real thing. On the upside, that's why I don't, ride in cars without seatbelts, do drugs, smoke, drink or have unprotected sex. Lol. However, I'd rather just be aware of the consequences then be so deafly afraid of them that my decision is basically being made due to a commercial (in some instances). With drugs, I've been around people who do them, so that's also played a huge role in me not doing them, drinking as well.
But with other things, it's simply the commercial that has frightened me so much that I won't be caught dead (pardon the expression) doing said thing. For example: There's a commercial on about AID's. In the commercial, the announcer doesn't turn into a person with AID's (I want to make that perfectly clear, I've hugged a person with AID's, they don't scare me). But the announcer turns into the AID's virus itself. So imagine that the virus isn't just a virus in someone's body, but it's a living breathing organism (human) with a voice, arms legs, etc. Well, a person can chase you down, so even though logically I know that it's a virus, & not a person who can "come & get me", in my head it somehow gets all turned around & the AID's virus is no longer a virus, but a monster/human that can come & attack me. I don't know why my brain works like that, but it's crazy, even too me.
And yet, I love rollercoasters, am not afraid of escolators or stairs, love heights, etc. I'm not afraid of needles (I've had 63 operations & my blood drawn probably a thousand times by now). I love mosh pits at rock concerts & am not afraid of being boxed in on all sides because my whole life has been like that. Going to teaching hospitals where 15-20 people watch you get examined of having your stiches pulled out. Or having your story in the newspaper, then having someone come up & touch your face without asking first or hug you, things like that. So those things don't scare me.
As someone else said, it's nice to see this topic here, means we all get to feel like we aren't alone & see that others have some of the same fears we do.
i'm scared of bees, wasps and well, anything else that buzzes because i can't see it. i've probably got others, but i can't think of them right now.