What's in a word?

As my wife and I walked into a local dollar store one afternoon a man called out to me. “Excuse me, where’s your can?” Well, at least that is what I thought I heard. “Excuse me,” I growled. Realizing I didn’t quite hear the man, my wife informed me that he was asking me about my cane. “Where do you get one of those? Do they help you get around?” he asked. He was referring to my white mobility cane. I explained that the use of the cane involves specific orientation and mobility training and they are not sold off the shelf in drug stores.

He confided with me that he was losing his sight due to diabetes. He was no longer able to drive and do many of the day to day things he was used to doing. He asked where he could receive training to use a cane for assistance in his travels. As I explained, he should contact an organization such as the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, his interest suddenly vanished. “Oh, well that’s ok. I’ll be alright.” Almost as quickly as his interest faded, he was gone.

After an unnecessary breath freshness check, I asked my wife if she noticed his sudden loss of interest when the word blind was mentioned. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t something in my imagination. She agreed.

I should probably explain, while I am totally blind and use a white cane, I do not wear sunglasses often associated with blind people. Most people are probably unaware that I am totally blind. I more than often do not wear shades and I wear a black patch over my right eye. I occasionally wear sunglasses, usually when I wear my right prosthetic. I choose to wear the sunglasses with the prosthetic since my eye lid was also removed with the eye, and the prosthetic does not blink.

This man probably thought I had some working vision and was using the cane for extra assistance.

What is it about the word blind that can make a person change from day to night? Is it the fear that their lives will never be the same? Are there suddenly images of stereotypical blind people strolling through their mind with white canes and tin cups?

My first contact with the word blind came when I was losing my sight. At the time I thought the problem I was experiencing was due to a change in my prescription for corrective lenses.  After trying on my new glasses, which was stronger than the prior, I noticed no change at all. The Ophthalmologist immediately re-examined me and finally decided to refer me to the Jewish Guild for the Blind. She offered to call me later that evening with the specific contact information. When I heard the word blind I remember everything just stopping. I really don’t remember any specific thoughts, just internal silence. I asked her to call my cell phone so my wife too would not be shocked by the word.

Many people will admit they are losing their sight, even say they are visually impaired, but never will they say they are blind.  For some blind represents an inability to perceive or understand. Some even equate it with a lack of spirituality. There have been several people I have met that upon meeting me and finding out I am blind have for some strange reason assumed that I need to be saved. Maybe it’s the black patch – it makes me look kind of rough!

So here is a question for you. How do we get around the impact of this word in order to reach out to people who need the assistance and information?

I would love to hear what you have to say.

Teaming up for change

Since losing my sight, I have been fortunate to meet other individuals who are also going through the loss of sight. In December 2005, eight of us joined forces to create the Monroe County Council of the Blind. This organization is a local chapter of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind who in turn is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind.

One of the main purposes of this organization is to advocate on behalf of the visually impaired and blind community. Our agenda includes securing accessible transportation, increasing social and economic opportunities and changing the way people view and perceive the blind community. It is my opinion that the latter is one of the most important issues we face.

Images of visually impaired and blind people are often in one of two categories; the bumbling fool or the super natural person with extraordinary senses. Examples of each are Mr. Magoo and the comic book character Daredevil respectively.

When I initially lost my sight, I had many people ask the question, “Has your hearing gotten better?” Many people believe that senses are automatically heightened when you lose another. Although, I don’t recall any cartoons or comic books about people in wheel chairs or hearing impaired heroes with amazing sight.  If I had to choose a stereotype I would choose the Daredevil over the stumbling fool. It is a personal mission of mine to assure that when I am in public I navigate my environment as best as I possibly can without drawing any negative attention to myself.

Why is changing perceptions of blind people so important?

When people buy into stereotypes and the belief that all of any group of people have a specific characteristic or trait, the individual is reduced to less than a person.

When people don’t see the humanity in a person they are “justified” in their mis treatment.  Empathy by definition is the ability to think and feel oneself into the lives of others. If more people concentrated less on the differences and more on the similarities they have with blind people, negative treatment would cease to exist.

Finally, belief in stereotypes and internalizing negative images of blind people is not limited to the sighted community. Many blind people seem to accept the limitations placed on them by these stereotypes. I have witnessed first hand how many blind people limit themselves because of their lack of sight. It is one of the main challenges after losing sight to not succumb to these negative thoughts.

The MCCB has recently taken on the challenge of dispelling these myths and altering the way we our viewed in our community. We have completed our first event that featured three other members discussing topics like dispelling the myths, truths about service dogs and what they really do and training people in the proper sighted guide technique – the method for assisting a blind person in navigating unfamiliar surroundings.

We plan to continue these presentations and even tailor the discussions to specific audiences. One of our targets is the medical community. Some of the worst offenders are ironically in the medical field. Including doctors. Maybe one day I will post some of my interesting doctor visits and the medical community’s reaction to me as a blind person.