[blparent] Still using visual gestures with other blind people

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Both my husband and I are blind, though he has some useable vision, but
he can't see everything especially in the dark. We both use to be fully
sighted, though he has RP so he knew he would eventually start
experiencing vision loss, but I had no reason to think I would be blind
someday. Anyway, I'm still a very visual person and always use visual
gestures. I will do this with Ross, my husband, and get annoyed when he
doesn't respond correctly before realizing oh, right, he can't see me
either, grin! I will also give those conspiratorial looks across the
room or at someone sitting a couple of chairs away from me or something,
and again, when it's Ross or other blind people, I have a moment where I
forget they can't see me. LOL

When you learn and pick up visual gestures and behaviors, they stick
with you even if you lose your sight. It's just second nature to do this
even among other blind people.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 22
Date: Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:52:53 -0700
From: "Tay Laurie" <j.t.laurie at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Explaining vision loss to children
Message-ID: <96F32579247D4FAD85E595518401EECD at user86d09ba0cd>
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	reply-type=response

Well, everoyne here at the apt complex thinks it's "cute" how my husband
and 
I are able to manage fairly well, even when navigating. Because I have
the 
most sight out of both of us, he gives me his longest cane, and then he 
pushes my wheelchair down the hall, sidewalk, etc. Granted, on
unfamiliar 
paths we run into snags such as unexpected hills, ruts, and dropoffs,
but 
that's ok. Or, how if I'm asking him to find something, I can give him a

general "this is where it is" or, when he's handing me something, I snap
my 
fingers or pat or knock the desk where I want it put. He does the same 
thing. I sometimes forget he's blind until I nod  or shrug and he's not
sure 
I heard me, or I kid and use facial expressions to convey it. I used to
have 
sight, so for me it's a rather odd cross.