My name is Andy Causton. I’m nearly 35. I was registered blind when I was 6 months old. However, being totally blind has never stopped me living an independent life. When I want a hot drink, I put a liquid level indicator on the side of the cup, which beeps when the cup’s full. When I’m out and about, I use a long cane and talking GPS.
However, when out and about, sighted people often help me when I don’t need help but aren’t around when I get lost. For example, I was striding off the bus the other day, when someone tried to take my arm to help me off. But whenever I get lost in the local shopping centre, no-one comes to help for ages.
Why is this so? Who knows? I guess those who understand, have developed an empathy through getting to know visually-impaired people; while those who man-handle you off the bus, have probably never met a blind person; either that or they’ve previously met VI people with additional impairments; so assume the blind person they see in front of them must have other disabilities.
I won’t allow other people’s mis-understandings to hold me back, however. Instead, I will keep taking the bus and keep explaining that I can get on and off by myself, thank you. I just hope the sighted people, who’ve tried to help me, learn from the experience and have a nice day.