Category: News and Views
Thoughts on this article?
Taken from: http://www.ehow.com/how_2040980_care-blind-person.html
Having a disabled person in your life can be a challenge. Many blind people have never had sight, so they cannot relate to color, shape or perspective. Here are steps you can take to help a blind person live with his or her handicap.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Step 1
Put everything back in the same place after cleaning. If you have someone help you clean, make sure they are advised to do the same.
Step 2
Keep everything on a blind person's desk exactly where he or she left it. This applies to braille paper, CDs, radios, telephones and computer accessories.
Step 3
Try to keep all hallway and cabinet doors closed. Warn the blind person if you plan to have a particular door open for a prolonged period.
Step 4
Keep restocking supplies of anything the blind person uses regularly. This includes food and drink, bathroom items and paper towels.
Step 5
Take out the trash regularly. Check for food that has been accidentally dropped on the floor or not returned to the refrigerator.
Step 6
Remember to turn off the lights before you leave, particularly if you are a part-time caretaker. Most blind people have limited incomes.
Step 7
Help the blind person braille a list of important phone numbers, account numbers and any other personal information they might need to access when you are not available.
Tips & Warnings
Some blind people have problems opening doors with keys. You can buy a lock that requires both a matching fingerprint and a code for entry. It also comes with a standard key as insurance should it stop functioning.
Keep all sharp objects like knives or scissors out of reach.
Please! I don't even do or require all these things and I am totally blind! How picky! They make blindies sound like such a burden. :)
The author of this article should be taken out quietly and shot!
Agree. The point about not moving things is a good one, but it really does make blind people sound like invalids.
Agrees with post 2 and 4. Leave stuff in the same place is fair enough, but most of us blind people are just as capable of using scissors and knives as sighted people, so no point saying keep them out of reach. Mad article.
Take that author out the back and shoot him with a capital S. Mind you, the author and my mother of all people have something in common there, lol.
Jen.
Some of these points make sense; I agree with the putting things back, turning off lights (if you know the blind person would want that--some do care if the lights are on while they're in the room but some don't), letting a blind person know about doors, and informing them of information they might need. However, the overall tone did come across as blindies either being a burden or totally incapable. Also, numbers 4 and 5 make blind people sound like children or ones who are not capable of asking for information/obtaining things they need for themselves or learning how to take out the trash or clean up if they do drop something. I think the sharp objects part might have been alright had the author worded it differently. Such objects do not have to be out of a blindie's reach (a blind person is capable of using them like sighted are), but they should be kept in positions where a blindie won't accidently reach out and get cut (for instance knife blades being pointed down when on drying rack, being informed of blades, knives, etc that might be left out or in an unexpected place).
agree on the first 2 points, other than that, it is just, pal of rubbish. can't stand the note part, that anoys me.
This might have been a better way of putting things...
Step 1
Put everything back in the same place after cleaning. If you have someone help you clean, make sure they are advised to do the same.
Step 2
Keep everything on a blind person's desk exactly where he or she left it. This applies to braille paper, CDs, radios, telephones and computer accessories.
Step 3 Do not leave a door half open. Most blind people don't use their canes within the confines of their house. Either open it all the way, or close it all the way. Leave it as you found it is the best choice.
Step 4 Ask the blind person if there is anything that you can pick up for them at the store while you are there. Some blind people have transportation issues and this will help them out tremendously.
Step 5
Help the blind person by straightening up something that they might have overlooked.
Step 6
Remember to turn off the lights before you leave, particularly if you are a part-time caretaker. The blind person might not need the lights on. If you are unsure, just ask.
Step 7
Help the blind person braille a list of important phone numbers, account numbers and any other personal information they might need to access when you are not available.
*note. Please put sharp objects in a position that the blind would not cut or stab themselves. Knife points down in the dish strainer, etc.
It's interesting to me though that this article has made a fundamental assumption about blind people that absolutely none of you have challenge, namely that either the blind aren't capable of living alone, or that if they should do so, that they can't do so without some kind of sighted assistance. Based on that alone I'd say that this article is patronizing junk, even before you get to any specifics in the content.
Dan.
Step 1. Assume the blind person is a capable person, and ask him or her what they might require you do.
Step 2. If the blind person happens to be a single male make sure his drink of choice is always available, remember he might be to cheap to refill this himself, but no matter it should be provided.
Step 3. He will also require (free) maid, massages, sheff, and clothes matching, and cleaning services. Make sure these are always provided.
Step 4. Don't fool with his telephone, braill papers,, computer, radio, and such. These items are for his entertainment, and he'll always know where they are. Step 5. Please if your going to be cleaning do a good job. Remember he or she is not dumb and will notice if you are slacking.
better. Lol
oi! i'm male, and don't drink much, and don't need laundry services either, as i do my own! now, the bit about the cleaning point, yes i have a cleaner, but can clean the house myself, twas a case of someone needing a job, so he got one. now i will remind him from time to time of bits that i know get missed, and that surprises him quite a bit.
One would wonder why anyone would move things on someone else's desk in the first place. Just a thaught. if its someone else's desk, don't touch it.
I should think that, most blind people would be offended. If your a newly blinded person, you might not know to protect yourself against the possibility of open doors or knives, but come on, most of us have been blind for years, you know when to be careful don't you?
And the author of this artcile failed to mention that the blind person might not want you help, and that you should politely ask them before helping. How many of us have had people assume we needed their help, and tried without asking, how annoying is that?
and what about the use of the word "handicap"? Ugh *rolls eyes*
I particularly agree with Post 3, about the author of this being taken out and shot. And LMAO, ForeReel. Nice. I think many of you have seen an article written as kind of a rebuttal to this sort of thing, entitled, "What to Do if you Meet a Sighted Person." If you haven't, I can send it to you or post it somewhere, though I swear it's been posted before.
I don't like the way step 6 is worded at all. It assumes that we all have caretakers, and that we require assistance with everything from cleaning to wiping our asses. Seriously though, totally agree with everyone who said this autor should be taken out and shot. I think there was a similar article somewhere about helping a blind person get in a car, and it said you have to set the child safety locks when they get in...Oh please.
Lol! It's hard to believe some people have so much ignorance!
Not really if you think about it. Look at how blind people are portrayed in movies. I mean, we're either superheroes who can leap off buildings and use radar to flip onto pipes and spires and stuff, or we're a helpless burden on society. Unfortunately, that is how most people in this world get their information, its sad but its true. So, its not hard to imagine people being so intolerably stupid at all. Once they get passed the disappointment of us not being daredevil, then they assume we're helpless, and treat us so. thats why I try my best not to act blind.
Is there any way to respond to this article on the site on which it's posted? that might be helpful.
Wow, this would be brilliant! Imagine living in a place, where nothing is out of place, doors are never left half open, and the cubberds are always stocked with exactly what you want!
Now what happens if I want to run with the scizzers and knives while the lights are on?
Seriously, when I began reading the article, I imagined someone who is expecting a blind guest. Maybe said sighted person is very uncomfortable with the idea of this blind person in their house. Are their nicknacks safe? Should they buy plastic cups and dishware?
*Smile,* there is a neighbor in my mom's neighborhood, I grew up with this woman. Her daughter and I were best friends. Well, I had moved away for a number of years, when I returned to visit my mom, this woman was all a twitter. She didn't know if I could walk up my mom's front walk. She was unsure if I could get my own glass of water from my mom's kitchen and so on... I was like, mom what has happened to her, I'm not suddenly blind and your house has not changed that much. *lol!* I just think this woman will always be uncomfortable to some degree with a blind person, an old person, whatever. She'd probably follow this guide to the letter! Print it off and stick it on her fridge! Heehehehe!
here is my rebuttal it can be a challenge to have a sighted person in your home.
1. remember sighted people are incapable of putting things back in the same place they found them. help them by tnoting for and then telling them where they put the keys, cell phone, driver's licence, wallet etc. because of their shortsighted knowledge of the whereabouts of their stuff they spend in inordinate amount of time looking for it cussing, and getting upset. Provide a liquid libation or adult beverage should the stress become too much.
2. be tolerant. remember that many sighted people believe that useless piles of crap on their desk helps them to be organized. do not laugh when they can not find that all important document.
3. be patient. many sighted people forget about doors.
4. since sighted people drive, they think that going to the grocery store is a daily picnic. when it snows, sleets, hurricanes, or terrorists attack, they have no food. since they can not plan well and do hnot know how to cope well with adversity they may become anxious or worried. hold their hands and feed them if you want.
5. since sighted people live in chaos, taking out the trash and/or throwing coke cans and beer bottles in the recycle is viewed as optional. they believe that their much more organized blind house mate will do it for them. patiently shape their behavior to conform to your standards.
6. remember to turn on the lights before you leave. sighted people have that afraid of the dark thing going on.
7. sighted people are totally confused without their cell phones, gps, or pdas. overdependence on these items has caused their memmories to atrophy. be charitable and provide information if asked. remember that they may not listen. since they depend on their eyes so much the hearing ain't so good either.
Tips & Warnings
have a key available. sighted people always lose theirs.
keep all sharp objects out of reach. after living with the disorganized sighted slob you may be tempted to perform an unspeakable act on them. having those dangerous weapons out of sight will lessen your temptation.
LOL, I like that. Mind you, I'm married to a completely sighted man and I'm completely blind, but I still think it's funny. I admit he has had to adjust things living with me, but then again I've had to make some adjustments too. IE, I have to remember to turn on the lights; or try to remember to, and he has to remember to put things back where he got them from...I hate searching for something that I knew where it was an hour ago...But, over all the adjustments haven't been that bad. I also agree with the fact of movie protrayal, and that effecting the way our own society sees a blind person. LOL, we just moved, and we're not done unpacking yet. After moving the phone guy stopped by to fix the phone line here...At the end of last week he stopped by again to make sure everything was working right. The first time he was here my husband was here, and I primarily let my husband work with him, but last week my husband wasn't home, so, I had to. But, in the process I found out the guy didn't realize that I'm blind, and he was in and out a lot the first time as he also had to install phone jacks. When I told him he was shocked. I found that very complimentary and funny at the same time. LOL!
Well this one has wound up a load of sensitive, easily-offended visually impaired people hasn't it?
I've never even been to the website on which the article was written. Did the people who are so angry about it visited the website frequently before this article was written?
Anyway to be honest if my wife takes the advice in that article I'll have no complaints. Nothing will be moved (not that it bothers me when things are moved), the flat will be clean and tidy, my lights won't be left on by visitors, doors won't be left open for me to walk into, I won't have to empty the bin, and I'll never have to go without my chocolate bourbons.
Its not patronising to say that some blind people need the assistance of sighted people. I've not met many who never need the assistance of sighted people. I don't know why some visually impaired people make such a big deal of requiring sighted assistance or look down on people who aren't as independent as they are. If I need help with something I'll ask for it.
Nem - keep 'em coming.
agree on both co dee post, as well as post 21. personally i always live with sighted people, and encounter problems like what post21 hhad stated. more anoying is when they think you are wrong, because you can't see where they place them, and you can't see where they are so they would asume that you'll be wrong with your other sensary ability to track them down. i always keep a spare key of my housemates cause they are more than likely to lose them, even within the bag itself, don't ask me how it happen, maybe they use their eyes too much rather than using the common sense, and i always need to phone my housemates' mobile, cause they missplace them, it could be anyware, under their pillow or their bed, or simply sit around on the kitchen table.
i'm not too sure who exactly the author of this article, but, it is nothing but another stigma to portrayed people with disability. lots of such portrayed around, take the local blind association for example, it have this advertisement on the TV to ask for donation. but the ads is an absolutely stigma that i feel disgusted myself. the ads involve a blind man named David, standing in the dark, in his house. don't know where to go, don't know what to do and is tersty but didn't know how to make himself food or drinks. finally, this lovely sighted volunteer come along to help him, to make him cup of tea, and to help him to clean his house, basicly giving him life again. and at the end of the ads, it said something like "our association gives blind people life, donate now". imagine, this is from a blind organization, who should promotes us in a more independent way, rather than stigmatise us as such?
although i think some of the advice is right on, e.g. put the damn stuff in the same place you found itback for crap sake, my problem is with the language used to convey the message. i found it condescending and patronizing. believe me those two adjectives are over used by some but rarely by me.
I couldn't agree more. I agree about the putting things back and not leaving doors open (my mom's known me for almost thirty years and she still leaves cupboard doors open for me to walk into when I visit), but I totally agree about the language. And to the poster who said something about easily offended blind people, the issue isn't so much the content of the article since as I said some points are good. I think the issue is that the article seems to imply that ALL blind people need caregivers to help with every little thing.
Yeah, that's the issue I had with it. If it had been written in a different tone, I don't think it would have come across the way it did. And lol to post 21, that definitely made me laugh!
I always wondered about the phrase, "couldn't agree more", don't you really either agree or disagree, or can you super agree?
In any case, if some money giving had been included in the original post I would've been happy.
The tone is condescending, but I feel the premise of the article is already that there is a blind person who needs assistance in your home. Those who are fiercely independent do not live with anyone, hence no one will need this advice to work with them.
And, believe me, there is a lot of blind people who need a lot of assistance, sighted assistance will make all our lives easier and I've used it extensively when I could, although I've made sure I can manage without.
With a minor rewrite this would actually be quite a useful article, and Turricanes response was pretty durn good.
Sadly I own up to being terribly disorganized for some reason, I can't adapt the blind mind set of planning and always putting things where I can find them again, much to my sighted wife's amusement. If I lack some sort of blind super power everyone else has in that department I am jealous.cheers
-B
b don't feel badly about losing stuff, i do the same thing at times. you are human. thank goodness. oh yes, thanks to you and others for the compliments about post 21. just spent three days with my sighted son and his wife. although i love them dearly, it was nice when they left, so I could find all the stuff that had been relocated for me.
That's one thing I'll say about my now fiance. She seems to understand that I don't need help with every little thing and to ask to make sure.
This article should have begun with the phrase: "This writing is for caregivers who are taking care of blind senior citizens." I have a caregiver come twice a month and she does an excellent job. But she has a few blind individuals who are seniors who actually need some of the help described in the above article. Again the author should have specifically said this was for blind seniors who have become newly blinded or have other disabilities with coordination and such. If it was written generally for all blind people, it is junk.
Well I must not be the stereotypical blindy I guess because I'm quite disorganized myself, so am as ,likely not to put something back as any sighted person is. In fact my wife is more likely to; and my assumption is generally that it was *me* that didn't put it back. My real concern is that this would generate a lot of fear of expectation in the reader. I am generally leery of things that make people feel unnecessarily burdened. Any one of us that are parents know that kids leave their toys out, they're in the middle of something, so one must either trip occasionally and / or walk carefully. I only got on my daughter once for leaving something out and that was her iPod, which she had put on a square of rug she had layed on the floor of her room. She was having a sleepover, a rather rambunctious / excitable affair especially when they all get into doing dance stuff, and likely as not, she or one of her friends would have trod on it ... but back to point at hand; I don't think we can expect to gain respect if people think there are a lot of expectations like this ... perhaps a persuasive somebody could respond to the article. People just are misinformed. I, too, was when my wife had back trouble, and it appeared she was having trouble moving around. I tended to want to overdo it / I having never been in that situation thought that maybe she couldn't pick things up, etc., but all she did is tell me and we worked it out. I actually think the fear of the dark thing for sighted people is really more to the point. They probably think of "the beasts under the bed" when they think of blind: total darkness. We know it's different but many of them perhaps do not.
i never get on my kids for their bedrooms. i mean they have to live with whatever mess they make. i do not. i just get frosted when the entire common areas turn in to a frat house. leaving glasses around is one of the things that really pushes my mad button. excuse me, that half full coffee cup does not need to sit next to an expensive piece of equipment like the flat screen or the pc. public slovenliness is a form of disrespect. grrrrrr!
Oh no no no no! My sighted father could learn from this article. Many's the time I've walked into my parents' main bathroom, both while living here and while visiting, to find his work laptop sitting on the edge of the bathroom sink with a half-full coffee cup next to it. I keep waiting for that day when he or someone else accidentally spills the coffee on the computer that isn't even actually his.
Sometimes I think blind people could learn from it too. I witnessed a senario recently where three blind people - me being one of them - were having dips, and we kept moving them around so that we could reach the ones we want. Of course it wasn't so good when we couldn't remember what was where anymore. lol