Category: the Rant Board
I see a lot of discussions here on the Zone about various blind people and how sad and pathetic they are. OK, fine, whatever, what can ya do? So, let's turn things around to a more positive point of view. So please, dear reader, tell me what your ideas are for what the ideal blind person should be. What traits and standards must all blind people live up to in order to be deemed acceptable, and if you can, please explain why you feel this way.
well i wish that alot of blind people would stop acting so silly out in public. alot of them rock, poke their eyes, swey, bounce around like they are on lots of caffeen, laugh at inappropriate moments, etc. in my opinion, the ideal blind person should act normal so that sighted people will not look down upon us as a whole and assume that is how all blind people act.
the reason that i feel this way is because even though i am totally blind myself, i have been out in public with various blind people who do all the above mentioned things in my previous post out in public. when i see them displaying that kind of behavior, it makes me want to sink through the floor because it is just plain inappropriate to do such things out in public because it makes all of us look bad, no matter if we are displaying that kind of behavior or not.
Hmmm, although this may be true, you are unfortunately concentrating on what your ideal blind person doesn't do, and I'd like htis discussion to be more about what the ideal blind person does do. This should be kept positive and motivational.
People are more amazed at the simple and ordinary things that blind people can do. Today somebody was like, good job! What was I doing? Walking between cars. I guess that's one person out of nearly 9000 who noticed my existence.
Siteds seem to be amazed we can walk. I guess that's something.
Hmmm. Interesting question as are many of the ones you raise. Its really hard to answer. By selecting characteristics that one would like to see embodied by blind people, it almost emplies that nobody else has to poses them. Having said that, the ideal/motivational/inspirational blind person would be one who doesn't view his blindness as his most important characteristic by which he identifies him/herself. In other words, the person is a success at their job, a rolemodel for the community, but the main focus of what they do doesn't necessarilly have to be because of his/her blindness. I'm thinking of the new Governor of New York. The bulk of the press coverage he received was because of his ability to build a concensus in government. True, they did mention he was legally blind, but that was secondary to the rest of the story. That's kinda what I mean. I wish I could think of a better example, but that one just comes to mind at the moment.
Lou
He is legally blind and that was a large part of the story historical and all. :) Legally blind, and blind in my thinking are different things. An ideal blind person can't be just like the ideal sighted person doesn't. But if I have to say I'd say someone that strives to take care of themselves, not work wise, but in the everyday task. Someone that knows there blind and is confortable with this and doesn't say that silly refrain "blind people can do just as much, or more then sighted people. Someone who adjust to it best they can and looks at the rules setup for blind people as a blessing not a curse.
Why do you call that a silly reframe?
To post 8, what rules were you referring to? Also, the coverage I heard mentioned the legal blindness aspect, but didn't make that the major part of the story.
thanks, Lou
I agree, I think an ideal blind person (if there is such a thing) is someone who views his blindness not as his/her main characteristic but just a limitation or trait, someone who deals with it but does not let it rule his life. I'd like to see more blind people work in non blind related fields and companies. At a conference about blind people and science in Seattle two years ago we saw stats on the percentage of blind people who work in programming or science outside of the blind sector (i.e. writing screen reader software etc), it was something like less than 1%, I don't remember it exactly. Writing Jaws/Window Eyes etc is actually exceedingly difficult and so we have super talented programmers working on those things, so it's definitely not lack of talent, but may be lack of self confidence on behalf of the programmers and/or lack of interest on behalf of the tech companies too. I'd like to see more blind people go into science, not be afraid of math but view it as something interesting, see more geeks, because we can make a big difference, for ourselves (good job, good money) and for the blind/accessibility world at large (access to the internet, applications etc).
Basically I'd like to see people not afraid to try things out, it's ok to fail, it's not ok to give up without trying. I feel sometimes some blind people are a bit too scared or timid to try and I think that's something we can may be change about ourselves.
So another way of putting it is that the ideal/more self-actualized blind person is one who isn't afraid of failure, and taking risks. I also agree with your stament about giving ourselves permission to "fail". As part of this, the actualized blind person is also one who can view "failure" as a learning experience.
Lou
To put it simply, there is no perfect blind person, or even a perfect person at all in the first place. No one is perfect, however on a more philosophical note, if you are happy with yourself and there is nothing for you can do to change the way you are, then in your eyes you are perfect. Maybe not to everyone else, so we are arguing a mute point. Sure it'd be nice for blind people to act just like sightees but that's not going to happen any time soon. Some blind people do and some don't. And yes legally blind and totally blind are 2 different areas of blindness but at the end of the day ya can't see a damn thing anyway so you are still blind. Always remember than when talking to someone else, to express exactly what you are. I am legally blind, or I am totally blind. Not just, "hey I'm blind". It can really solidify for the other person exactly what you can probably see. From that point, you can then explain what you can and can't see.
The ideal blind person may never exist in reality, but they sure do exist in people's heads. If we can decide who is a sad, pathetic, worthless loser, we're making a statement of comparison.
I honestly believe that criteria for this title is illusive, as probably no two people would ever agree completely on it. Frankly that's a good thing. Its almost like we're trying to find the "Holy Grail" of blindness or something.
Lou
i do not view my blindness as a hinderence or a "disability" at all. i strive to do everything as well as a sighted person can.
Why I call the "blind people can do anything just as well as a sighted person" silly is it's simply not true. I point out anything. Some things we do better some things are impossible period, so silly. Now the rules I'm talking about are the nature set rules. There are simple natural disadvantages to being blind. And yes I agree there is not perfect anyone, but the blind person that tries to do for themselves is as good as it gets.
Now on the Governor they don't say "well he was sht shortest governor, or "he is really kind of fat" in news stories, so stating the fact the man is legally blind, and that is historical that he is only the second disabled person to hold this office is making a big deal. :)
*shrug*.. either what? we demand atention or we don't. Blindness to me is just a physical limitation. I accept the help I get from others at reasonable expense and generally don't poke my eyes, rock, or do any of those inhibitions which deprive oneself of being much alert. An ideal blind or just about any kind of person is one who accepts difficulties, lives happily regardless of what people think, avoids the odd habbits mentioned above and faces challenges as opportunities, placing value on others for who they are. It really won't make a difference if someone is blind or not (in news papers) because that is up to the reader to interpret. Sure it must be more amazing for some other people, but come on, you're going to complain up a storm because that attracted atention. A blind person will never be like a sighted one, and really should not be. if you are not happy with who you are, find things that you like doing, concentrate more on small details, ETC. But really don't try to be like someone or something else. This applies obviously to sighted people as well. Many people wish they could be like a famous star, artist, ETC. When you don't accept your limitation, you are pretty much limiting yourself. Now, blind people and every kind of people who exist have just as much of a choice of being "pathetic and sad" and there's nothing wrong with this. If we are up for setting standards for blind people, why can't we set standards for everyone else then? Why should anyone be deemed acceptable? the same question turns around... what can you do? rather, what would you do if this would happen? I feel an ideal person should be the way I had mentioned before because I am striving for more humility, greater personal values and generally that is the way I want to be treated. It would make a much better world if just about anyone, blind, deaf, sighted, handycapped were that way. There are all kinds of blind, deaf, paraplegic, and handycapped people. Some of the do drugs, some of them can be a joy to meet, some of them are too frustrated with the fact that they have a limitation... but anyway, this has been my reply. Thanks for reading.
I think Louiano made a good point. I'm not trying to be like a sighted person or necessarily do what they do. I understand as a totally blind person that I will not just blend in so successfully that people won't notice my blindness. To me that's not the right approach to dealing with the concept of difference overall anyhow. This is not saying I go around in public acting inappropriately, but my blindness is just exactly what it is. In one situation it may be nothing and in another it may be a major headache. It is not one thing or another thing all the time. Although I understand I may not live up to standards others would wish to set for me, I just don't think strangers' ideas of who I should be are as important as who I think I am and what makes me happy and content and that I feel comfy in my own skin without apology. I also feel I am in no position to judge other blind people, especially those less skilled or confident than I am, because mostly what I'm getting are anecdotes told by people who either are not comfy in their own skins or people who need to imply superiority to others or just people who have decided being an asshole is more beneficial than not being one.
As someone else said, this is such a difficult question to answer. Although I don't point the finger at anyone, I do think that one of the biggest factors in being an 'ideal' blind person is the not letting your blindness rule your life. For example, those who put blind in their user name, in their profile, and introduce themselves as "Hi, i'm mr Smith, and i'm blind." Well, who cares! I don't. It won't make me like or dislike you any more. However, i'll automatically think that you've got issues, and big ones, with being blind. Blindness, whilst being a big part of someone's life, definitely doesn't define them. Yes, it helps form their personality through the increased trials we face, etc, etc, but it's not the be all and end all.
Secondly, the ideal blind person should be as independent as they can be. I don't mean wrecklessly independent whereby they injure themselves or others, or make themselves look stupid. I mean being self sufficient; able to get to the shop for bread and milk, to cook for yourself, to function as any other human being of your age. However, that is not to say that i'm siding with the idiots that destroy those who have new mobility achievements. Fair play to you for making a go at being indepdndent, no matter what age you are. Far worse are those who sit around, expecting to be cared for for infinity.
And thirdly, the blindisms thing. Oh, it drives me insane when people rock/spin/head bang/all the other unnecessary abnormal things that people do. There's no need for them. They don't make you cool/normal/anything other than a thing for people to look at with scorn and pity. I don't care if it makes you feel good. If that's the excuse you need, then why not masturbate in public? It just doesn't wash.
Anyway, enough of my ranting. just my penny's worth.
FM
thank you, thank you. Well said. Now, on the humor bit... i really like humor, especially if its about something on which people feel unsure or doubt. For example, at school during class or at any other point, someone says "move, I cannot see!" I reply, "so what? i can't either." It takes some people a while to get where I'm going, and others just laugh. I personally think this bit of humor, when used and controlled correctly, is a valuable tool when you want to earn other people's trust. It even makes you more likable. As for other things, people will start to forget about "how terrible" it is to be blind. It has greatfulyl helped deepen relationsihps with people and they also develop an interest on you (if you have the right personality)--otherwise then people might look upon you as strange, really. Of course some people will never get over it and probably never will laugh at your random bits, but it really turns things around. You are not pathetic or sad to people anymore. Just another of my opinions. Feel free to agree, disagree, be neutral, tweak, ETC.
But what personality is the right one to have? I think, for example, that being outgoing and having a sort of natural ability to talk to people is a gift, but I don't necessarily see it as a requirement. Some of us who have a hard time meeting people or talking to them may not be socially inept as much as we might just be introverts. I know that's the case with me.The problem is that society prefers the outgoing person and pushes it altogether too much so that it may be hard to determine what kind of person you are in relation to others.
I don't think that you can pin a personality on the "ideal blind person". We're getting off topic here. If you want a discussion on the ideal personality, then by all means, but is it specifically linked to blindness if you overlook the obvious things like someone who only talks about being blind and nothing else.
I agree that you should be open about the blindness and make it as small an issue as possible. but that's all that's specifically linked to being blind.
An ideal blind person is one who is not sheltered and pampered by their parents. That is a crime and harms their child more than anything. The sighted parents are in most cases totally responsible for their children's upbringing.
A person rocks, pokes their eyes, sway, looks down all the time when they walk, head bowed low, is all attributed to how they were raised. If their parent's corrected it, instead of accepting it because they are blind, that goes a long way in placing them on the right track.
Also, discouraging their children because they are blind, cooking all their meals, washing all their clothes, cleaning their room, all while they are 15, 20, 30, 40 years old because they can't see how their child can do it for themselves seems a bit ridiculous to me.
When someone in that condition stands up for themselves, against their own parents, forcing their parents to teach them how to care for themselves, that is one who in my eyes controlls their own course in life.
Sure its nice not having to do any of those things and come home with everything nice and neat and done for you, but will that carry over to the real world when your parent's God forbid die on you?
Someone who doesn't result to blaming the world for their own inequities. You are blind, no one is responsible for you and should not be responsible for you. You are your own entity. A person who views that, truely understands that concept, is one who begins to contributes to their own progress in life.
Carpe Diem, understand that phrase, live by it, and you will see that blindness isn't really that bad.
The most important aspect is one who looks beyond an SSI check. One who gets off their lazy ass, puts down the 40 oz. bottle, and puts out their blunt and gets a job whereby they will have money left over after bills to buy themselves something nice to wear.
One who don't complain that they have no money, while only depending on their first of the month check.
There's two types of people:
One who complains, and those who gets paid.
I'll end this post in the following note:
In life, there's two ways to travel down a road, by your choice, or another's.
Learn to make your own decisions, or someone else will make them for you.
lol wait.. and so overprotection is a cryme? hmm, just as leaving bruices on a child is (at least in Florida). Oh well. I do agree however, I used to be very introverted. Unfortunately, the extrovedrted might deviate from many worthy charactersitics and become obnoccious when that person is in "social life". I used to be really shy before; now things have changed a bit. It would be difficult and rather impossible to set a "right" and a "wrong" personality, just because consensus is hardly reached on such topics. Same with blind people. Although I agree the whole nicknaming everything "blind" related can get quite disturbing, it has a negative efffect on the views of others because many would think "the blind can interact and should only hang out with the blind", and that sorts of things. I remember someone came and asked me if my house had everything brailled just like Stevie Wonder did. Lol that'd be really costly (money) and rather unecessary, and obviously would not be a starndard of living for the blind.
I was discussing this topic and some of the responses with my fiancee, and she joked that the ideal blind person was sighted. Hahahahahaha!
very true though! ROFL!
Ah, now here's a question. What's the difference between the ideal blind person and a superblink, whatever that is, or are they one in the same?
Super blink:
Ability to turn lights green on demand
Have the cane to sop cars in their tracks
Invisible shields to knock items out of your way and push walls aside
Make a sighty blind for f***king with you
OK, I'll grant ya that's an interesting take on the term. However, I think what I'm aiming at is the classic definition of a superblink, even if such a person is a creature of myth. Y'know, somebody who can find their way in any city without asking directions. Somebody who is outgoing and confident to the point of being obnoxious. Somebody who can blend in so well that nobody would know they were blind unless they mentioned it. And, most importantly, somebody who thinks that every blind person should live up to the superblink's high standards and strive for the superblink's particular priorities in life and anyone that doesn't, well, they're just dependent, pathetic, and make every living blind person look bad. Oh, and one of the most important things. The superblink only uses two forms of transportation, their feet or the city buses. They will stand in a blizard to wait for a bus to prove their independence rather than get a ride from a friend, because riding in anyone's car, even a cab, means you are dependent, which is the kiss of death. That's a superblink, isn't it?
hmm, a "superblink" is what I'd get as a reaction when someone takes a flashlight and turns it on in front of my face. Otherwise, you might talk about that guy that was on a documentary once who only use "echo location" (clicks his tongue every freaking step that he gives) to know where he is and refuses to use his cane. There is just not going to be a way of not knowing that someone is blind. Same for deaf people. Actualyl much worse for deaf people. Lol if the ideal blind person was sighted then there would not be an "blind" person.
lol poet, I wanna be one of those superblinks! Wouldn't that be cool! But you forgot the x-ray touch. ya know, being able to feel the bus coming before anybody else. oh, and being able to hear, yes actually hear, the grass growing!
FM
hahahah, and yell down to the earth worms to "stop making all that noise!!!"
roflmao!
Thought ya only heard the earthworms if you had an especially bad hangover. Hahahahahaha!
I doubt if I could describe what I'd think the ideal blind person should be like. I have severed ties with most blind bats over here in south-africa since they all tend to be self-pittying slobs that don't know how to do anything else other than to complain about everything. And yeah, if they are a bit intelligent, they would use that to look down on other people in order for themselves to feel good about themselves.
I am who I am, blindness is just a tiny detail of who I am and doesn't make me less or more significant than any other being.
My ideal blind person:
1. Acts their age andif they can't they understand that by exposing certain information like the fact that he/she doesn't bathe as often as everyone else will get criticized.
2. They have an understanding of their limitations and they also understand that other blind people have different limitations, and they don't get all snippy if they find out another peer can't, say, use public transportation as well as they can, or read Braille as well as they can for various reasons.
3. Knows when and where it's appropriate to rock, eye-poke, hang their head, talk to themselves, cry for no reason, and throw temper tantrums. (Especially, as adults.)
4. Know how to be a contributing member of a social-networking site, not a bully or a whiny drauma feind.
5. They don't constantly obsess over sex, sexual private parts, sexual acts, being horny, calling people derogatory sexual names, etc. They know when and where it's appropriate to do so, and don't obsess over it.
6. They know how to have a decent conversation that's wholesome, interesting and intelegent, and they also know when to be silly.
And, that's about it. Maturity, appropriate behavior, good social skills, and the ability to feel empathy toward someone who may otherwise not do things as well as they can. That's all I want.