[nabs-l] Spacial Awareness as a Totally Blind Person

[Aziza C]

I've often found my self just conscious of the energy people give off,
and their gaze upon me. Granted, when someone keeps their gaze on me
for quite some time I tend to feel enrvous, but it is enough for me to
be able to tell that they are looking at me. Also, the energy in the
air can be helpful. Tention or lightness is something I can normally
gauge well. This may not determine the exact facial expression someone
is using, but it can eliminate some others.

I also must be made to laugh when being photographed. I can't just
smile on command. At least, not often. Only my friends who know how to
make me smile can get me to smile by simply telling me to.

I do notice that I don't always portray how I feel with facial
expressions. For example, today I was standing on the street corner
waiting for a friend of mine and when he walked up to me he said he
was sorry he was late and said I looked really mad. I was not mad at
all, I was actually enjoying the light rain and the wind on my face
and thinking back to my childhood, but I guess I looked mad when he
saw me. Or sometimes when I fall into deep concentration my nephew
will often say I look sad even though I am not sad at all.

Aziza

On 10/13/09, Teal Bloodworth <tealbloodworth at gmail.com> wrote:
> having lived in many different places i know most of the people very well
> that i would be talking to. But when people that i dont know are around i
> wait for them to say something or join in on a group discussion. As for
> knowing they are there...i cant lie i have touched people in inappropriate
> places then said sorry i didnt know you were there and kept walking. Later
> you can ask that when people approach you to announce themselves until you
> remember their voices. This is a discussion common on this list.
>
>             -Teal
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Valerie Gibson" <valandkayla at gmail.com>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 12:30 AM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Spacial Awareness as a Totally Blind Person
>
>
>> I'm curious about  the same thing--visual communication and how to
>> effectively start a conversation so that the sighted person knows
>> you're speaking to them. I understand moving your head in the
>> direction of which they're speaking helps, but what if you "know"
>> someone is beside you, but you cannot accurately judge hight or
>> anything so you don't know where their eyes are generally located.
>> being a short person, this is difficult.
>>
>> Another thing that interests me is why certain facial expressions mean
>> certain things and why.  One guy thought he'd offended me when he
>> asked if i'd like to take a seat. I was far from offended, but i guess
>> something on my face registered  offense.  it's hard to portray what
>> you want the sighted person to see if you've never seen, or been
>> explained, this.
>>
>> just my thoughts...
>>
>> On 10/12/09, J.J. Meddaugh <jj at bestmidi.com> wrote:
>>> I've learned over the years that being totally blind presents a unique
>>> set
>>> of challenges not seen by thsoe with some vision. Of course the converse
>>> is
>>> true as well. For me, one of my biggest places where I feel I could
>>> improve
>>> involves spacial awareness. I'm curious to hear from others with any tips
>>>
>>> on
>>> ways to be better aware of their surroundings. How do you effectively and
>>> consciously avoid other people's personal space when talking or walking
>>> from
>>> place to place?
>>> A lot of these situations seems to come up at parties, also, when it's
>>> sometimes difficult to figure out the best place to stand or sit and hold
>>>
>>> a
>>> conversation without looking awkward. And of course, as a blind person,
>>> if
>>> you try to walk around and talk to people, some sighted people will just
>>> start asking you where you are going or if you are looking for something.
>>> Surely there must be ways to just fit into the group.
>>>
>>> Finally, some of these challenges apply when trying to network at a
>>> conference with unknown people. Does anyone have any tips for how to
>>> politely but effectively start a conversation or break into a group
>>> conversation between others which has already started?
>>> I'm talking about the various networking receptions which are held by
>>> companies or take place at conventions and other events.
>>>
>>> Thanks for any help.
>>>
>>>
>>> J.J.
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>>
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