[stylist] I would appreciate your help

[Chris Kuell]

This is an interesting topic, which is a good sign for Julie.

Now, I'll throw out that I believe a lot of blind and VI people take on the
role of introversion because, quite simply, it's scary and potentially
awkward to go out into the world of gatherings and parties, especially in
unfamiliar surroundings. For instance, those of you who have read a bit of
my writing know I often include bar scenes. In my younger days, I spent a
lot of time in bars. But, since I went blind, I find them too noisy and
confusing. It's hard to find the restroom, and hard to find my way back to
my friends. It can be very hard to follow a multi-person conversation,
especially if the music is loud.  So these days, I'm much more likely to ask
people over to my house, or go to theirs.

Similarly, I like parties, and have had some great times at many. In
December, my wife and I had a party here with over 25 people, and last
October I invited a bunch of my blind friends over for an Octoberfest bash.
Yesterday we got an invite from an old neighbor who moved about a half hour
away to come to a party  at her new house. My honest, gut reaction? I don't
know my way around her house. It will be loud, and full of people, and I'll
be uncomfortable. My initial reaction is not to go. And yet, I probably
will, and who knows? Maybe I'll make a new friend or two.   

As for being wholly yourself, I think that comes with age, and figuring out
who you are and who you want to be. Most old people don't give a crap what
other people think--they are just themselves. Young people are too
influenced by what others think of them, they want to fit in. Middle-agers
walk the line between these two, and where they land depends in large part
on how they feel about themselves, their awareness of their own self-worth
and their place in the universe. And these are very complicated
determinations, being affected by many different variables.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Chris