[Nfbf-l] {Spam?} 17 Easy Ways to Make a Blind Person's Day

[Munawar Bijani]

Here is the blog where this post originated: 
https://wheresyourdog.wordpress.com

On 4/21/2016 3:47 PM, Dan Hicks via Nfbf-l wrote:
> I don't think anyone has posted this to this list yet. I got it from Patti
> Chang from FaceBook. My guess is that this first appeared on April 1, but I
> don't know for sure. Read it and she why I think so.
>
>   
>
> 17 Easy Ways To Make A Blind Person's Day
>
>   
>
> 1. When introducing yourself, use loud, exaggerated speech. Since we're
> blind, it's safe to assume we're a little dim, too.
>
> 2. Don't speak directly to us. It's always best to talk over our heads like
> we're not there at all, especially if you are offering a service. Example:
> "What would she like to order?" Be sure to ignore our attempts to answer for
> ourselves.
>
> 3. Grab or otherwise manipulate our bodies whenever and wherever you deem
> necessary. For example, if you intuitively perceive that we're going the
> wrong way (even if you haven't asked where that is) just snatch the nearest
> limb and lead on, Macduff!
>
> 4. If you aren't in a position to grab us, you can always shout instructions
> in the hope that we'll know what you're talking about. If we look baffled,
> just keep repeating the instructions in an increasingly frantic tone. We'll
> clue in eventually.
>
> 5. Remind us often how grateful we should be that people are willing to
> provide accommodations for us. While it's unlikely that we will ever, ever
> forget this for more than five minutes at a time, it's a good idea to slam
> the thought home when we're not expecting it. It builds character.
>
> 6. Stage loud conversations about us while we're in the room, because we
> won't hear. If we hear, it's okay, because we won't understand. If we
> understand, it's okay, because we won't care.
>
> 7. Keep all conversation firmly focused on blindness. If we try to interject
> by discussing our education or interests, just redirect us. We get carried
> away trying to be all normal, so it's helpful to keep us on track!
>
> 8. Be sure to describe all the other blind people you've ever met, in
> extravagant detail. We couldn't be more fascinated by that blind guy who
> skied, and that other blind guy who went to school with you, and that blind
> girl you met on the train once-the one with the cute puppy.
>
> 9. Make a habit of asking us why we're "here". If we're on the bus, ask us
> why we're out alone. If we're at work, ask us how we got the job. If we're
> in class, ask us why we're in university. If we seem offended, ignore us:
> deep down inside, we really enjoy presumptuous interrogation!
>
> 10. Dispense advice about how we should live our lives; the less you know
> us, the more valuable your feedback will be. If you need a good starting
> point, you can begin by analyzing our mobility tool of choice (cane or dog)
> and emphatically demanding that we switch. We love that.
>
> 11. Involve yourself in our love lives, specifying exactly the type of
> person we should date and why. If you think we should date a sighted person
> because they'll be able to take care of us, we'll want to hear all about it.
> If you think we should date a blind person because we should "stick to our
> own kind" we will be all ears!
>
> 12. Give us things-money, coupons, whatever-because you pity us and want to
> make our day better. Don't be phased by any apparent expressions of
> confusion. ("Oh, that's just my gratitude face!")
>
> 13. Stop us on the street and thank whomever we're with for helping/taking
> care of/being so kind to us. It's not as though we have real friends who
> genuinely enjoy our company. No: if we're out with a sighted person, they
> are fulfilling a purely charitable role. They will appreciate your praise,
> and we will feel extra extra grateful!
>
> 14. Place your hands on us in any public place and pray. If we gently
> explain that we don't want to be prayed for, rest assured that it's just the
> secular cynicism doing the talking. When our sight is miraculously restored,
> you'll be the first to know.
>
> 15. Make as many potentially dangerous practical jokes as you can think of.
> A few good ideas include warning us of imaginary obstacles ("Watch out for
> that tree-just kidding!"), concealing our possessions, and encouraging us to
> "find" you while you run gleefully around us in circles. These were a staple
> of primary school, and I treasure many pleasant memories from that era. Do
> me a favour, and bring back the nostalgia!
>
> 16. Refer to us as "that blind person" even after you know our names.
> Blindness is so integral to our identities that our names are really just
> decorative, so there's no need to remember or use them. If we fail to answer
> to "Hey, blind girl/guy!" just keep trying. We'll learn to love it.
>
> 17. Assume that our default status is "Help!" If we reassure you that we're
> okay, thanks, don't fall for it. Insisting upon rescuing us every time we
> cross paths places us into a position of dependence, which is exactly where
> we belong.
>
>   
>
> Dan
>
>   
>
> "If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not
> values: they're hobbies."
>
>                ― Jon Stewart
>
>   
>
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