I don’t think I have ever seen a blind or visually impaired person ever write this line until now. That being me of course, lol.
*Despite being blind or visually impaired*
So to you sighted ones out there, do you ever stop to think how this sounds or how it makes us feel? Did you ever stop and think that maybe you’re also putting people down by saying “despite being blind” they can do this, why can’t you? How about those that do things that don’t have a disability?
Have some examples:
1. Despite being blind I went skydiving! Man it was a total rush. Nothing like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.
Oh crap! That 99 year old guy just jumped out of an airplane right after me! Now that is freaken impressive. I always say that I can’t see the ground coming at me so what do I care. That makes the jump loads more thrilling, but whew jumping at 99, I don’t know! I think I’d have a heart attack before reaching the ground. The 99 year old guy didn’t of course and just like me he wanted to jump again, lol. Go figure!
2. Despite being blind I got married and had kids.
Oh wait, so did my deaf cousin and she has 1 more kid than I do. Now how fair is that? I mean I can’t get my third no matter how hard I try. It’s a conspiracy! Well and that marriage…well, I probably should have stayed away from that too, but then I wouldn’t have my adorable princess. Ah well, can’t win them all.
3. Despite being blind I’m going to school to make something of myself. Well, sadly I’m going to school cause I really have no choice. Everybody and their uncle wants things on paper these days. Just FYI, books smarts is no where close to personal experience in some cases.
Also, I’m no better than the person in a wheel chair that was a roommate of mine that is going to school to become a lawyer. Whew, more power to her! I don’t think i can take that much of school without wanting to pull my hair out.
4. Despite being blind joe from California started his own business to support his family. Seriously, what does his blindness have to do with him starting his own business?
A sighted person from the UK, deaf person from Canada or an one armed person from Alaska could do the same thing. Maybe the specialty is blind/low vision related and therefore Joe is better in this particular field, but anyone can start up their own business in the field they love and have plenty of knowledge in.
5. Despite being blind you know how to cook?
Um yeah cause if I don’t I’ll either go broke from ordering out all the time or die from food poisoning if I let James anywhere near the stove even to boil water and he’s blind too! I don’t think our insurance covers him setting the place on fire from trying to cook. Too bad!
So see, not *all* blind/visually impaired people are the same. We aren’t all dare devils, we don’t have goals of owning our own business, we don’t all know how to cook and hell we aren’t all helpless either, but just like the non-disabled we do what has to be done to enjoy life! So how about trying some other line for a change besides “despite being blind or visually impaired” when you’re writing about us. I’m sure there’s plenty out there!
But wait, maybe there is something we can teach you sighted dog handlers!
6. Despite being blind you clean up after your dog?
Well duh! I mean I know I don’t want to have to accidentally step in it the next time I take my dog out *gross* Nothing like getting dog crap all over your shoes when you’re running late for work or school or who knows what. Or even worse, finding that lovely surprise without any shoes on! What a way to make your day, right?