[Blindtlk] blind people being loners

[Julie J.]

I think there's a big difference between being alone and being lonely.   
One is a feature of personality preference.  The other is an unmet 
emotional need.

I spend a fair amount of time alone, and enjoy it immensely.  I like to 
get things done without distractions and people chatting at me.  I like 
being able to shut my office door and get my reports written, meeting 
notes prepared, presentations planned and reading up to date information 
in my field.  If someone comes in to ask a question, it takes me a good 
15 minutes to get back into my optimum mental flow state.

Socially, I have a few friends and enjoy going out and doing things, but 
I do not enjoy large gatherings.  I have always been that way even 
before vision loss.  I strongly prefer 1 on 1 time with people or small 
groups of 5 to 10.  I feel the most energized when I have a good balance 
of me time and small group time.

I do travel to large group events several times a year.  I enjoy the 
opportunities it provides, but I generally plan a day or two afterward 
with no meetings so I can have the alone time that I need.

Have you guessed yet that I am a strong introvert? *smile*  If you are 
familiar with myers briggs personality inventory testing, I score around 
97% introverted.

I do think that especially in the very beginning of the adjustment to 
blindness some people, especially the introverts, can become isolated.  
I think the extroverts have the advantage of having the innate skills to 
be able to network and connect with people to get the services they 
need.  Introverts can do those same networking things, it just takes 
more effort and concentration for us.  In the beginning The skills 
aren't there to be able to apply for jobs, ride the bus to get to social 
events, use the internet to use social networks or a lot of other 
opportunities to interact with people.  It takes time to learn that 
stuff and to have the confidence in yourself to be able to use it.  I 
think most people figure it out and get on with their lives though.  
Sure there are some blind folks who continue to stay isolated, refusing 
to help themselves to a better place.  I don't think blindness is to 
blame though.  there are sighted folks who do the same.  It could be a 
specific personality type, mental illness, laziness, a victim mentality 
or something else, I'm not sure.

So the original question was do I think that some blind people isolate 
themselves.  I'd say yes, but not for the reason of blindness you are 
suggesting.  I'd answer yes to do some sighted people isolate themselves 
or do some senior citizen, dog owners with bad hair isolate 
themselves.   It's a human thing not a blindness thing.

Julie