[BlindTlk] Question about societal attitudes toward blindness

[Walker, Michael E. (UMSL-Student)]

Good morning,

Something I have been troubled by for a long time is why society sees blind people differently from people who can see. For example, I often find that when the topic of friendship or dating comes up, I still get asked questions like whether or not I have considered dating a blind person. It tells me that society still has a ways to go in learning that blindness is an inconvenience rather than something that defines us. We like to participate in the same venues as everyone else, without being seen differently. How do we overcome these challenges? The only thing I know to do is to keep doing what I’m doing: putting myself out there and meeting people. What do you guys do to overcome these challenges? How do you feel about being seen differently because you’re blind?

Thank you,
Mike