[blindkid] Fw: Playing by Ear

[Amanda Winkler]

My husband and I are both totally blind and for us blindness is not 
isolating it is more of an inconvenience.  I have the perspective of 
becoming blind later in life but I was born low vision (20/200) and my 
husband was blind since birth.  Our families treated us like a normal child 
and gave us every opportunity to experience everything a normal child would 
have.  We are so grateful to them for making such a difficult decision 
regardless of family and other peoples looks, comments, and criticism.  Like 
any other sighted couple, we are raising a family (one child who is vi), 
attend family functions, visit friends, commute to work, go to the grocery 
store, perform household chores, etc. all on our own.  We use our other 
senses (hearing, smell, and touch) to create a picture of our world just as 
you would use your sight.  With these remaining senses and a little common 
sense we can figure out most things.  Where a sighted person looks around to 
see what businesses are in their neighborhood we would have to physically 
explore the area and ask questions.  This is quite fun and enjoyable.  All 
it comes down to is your attitude towards life.  We have a positive attitude 
towards life and we know that there are things that need to be done, so we 
get it done.  What has helped us and the people we encounter is our openness 
about our blindness and the fact we are not ashamed to be blind.  We enjoy 
taking the time to educate and answer their questions about being blind.  So 
for us our blindness has not isolated us but in fact has done the opposite.

Amanda
Ask all your questions and I will answer to the best of my knowledge.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Richard Holloway" <rholloway at gopbc.org>
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 5:55 AM
To: "NFBnet Blind Kid Mailing List,(for parents of blind children)" 
<blindkid at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blindkid] Fw: Playing by Ear

> Isolating? Has to be, doesn't it?
>
> I mean if you can't SEE what's going on around you, you must be completely 
> out of touch with the rest of the world, right?
>
> (Tongue planted firmly in cheek.)
>
>> That is very fascinating!  And I would agree.  Blindness is so isolating?
>> Barbara
>
>
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