Legally Blind - Simple Courtesies Matter
Yes, it can be awkward. You suddenly realize that the person you have been introduced to cannot see you. How should you act? What should you say?
My husband is legally blind. He does have a little vision. He is not "in the dark", but is unable to recognize people, read or drive a car.
The purpose of this site is to alert you to the most common mistakes people make when dealing with visually impaired folk.
Most people are friendly and helpful. Be one of those!
PS Teach your children these simple tools, also.
My husband is legally blind. He does have a little vision. He is not "in the dark", but is unable to recognize people, read or drive a car.
The purpose of this site is to alert you to the most common mistakes people make when dealing with visually impaired folk.
Most people are friendly and helpful. Be one of those!
PS Teach your children these simple tools, also.
Ruth Cody's Art of Living: Her Inspiring Story of Overcoming Handicaps of Becoming Legally Blind.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009) 
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Introduce Yourself!
Always introduce yourself! And remember to introduce any newcomer who joins the conversation.And one more thing -- if you see us in a public place, please come over and say hello. On the way home, Whitey will often say, "Was Joe Smith there?" I do not know everybody that Whitey knows, and I often cannot tell him if you were there. He cannot find you. It is up to you to find him and speak to him. So, please do! We will both appreciate that!
Where'd you go?
Alert your visually impaired friend when you are leaving the area. "I am going to get a snack." or "I will talk with you again later. I have to go see about the children." Realize that if you leave suddenly without saying that you are leaving, he may be left telling a joke with no audience. He does not know you are gone unless you give fair warning. Out to Dinner
One of my favorite stories is about the waitress who asked me one night, "What will HE have?" She was referring to my legally blind husband. We have laughed again and again about that one!
Waitresses, take note! HE will eat whatever he chooses. :) Lightly tap him on the shoulder to get his attention and just ask him! You can make suggestions or even offer to read the menu! In all these years I have never seen a waitress offer to read the menu to him.
Our favorite restaurant, the Wagon Wheel in Richburg, SC, always cuts Whitey's steak for him -- every time, without fail. That's service!
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Waitresses, take note! HE will eat whatever he chooses. :) Lightly tap him on the shoulder to get his attention and just ask him! You can make suggestions or even offer to read the menu! In all these years I have never seen a waitress offer to read the menu to him.
Our favorite restaurant, the Wagon Wheel in Richburg, SC, always cuts Whitey's steak for him -- every time, without fail. That's service!
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More about Whitey and his journey with Legal Blindness
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Legally Blind Golfer
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When my husband was 42 years old, he was told he was legally blind. The doctors first thought the problem was retinitis pigmentosa. Later some doctors suggested macular degeneration. After many tests and many doctors, it is now determined that he ha...
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Legally Blind Blunders
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Legally Blind is a scary diagnosis. But life can still be fun -- if you learn to laugh at yourself, situations, and with others. No, it's not funny. But you might as well laugh. This is a list of funny and not so funny things that have happened t...
Things to Remember - notes from Whitey
Just be kind and thoughtful -- it works!
Loss of sight does not automatically mean I cannot hear. Speak in a normal tone of voice.It's okay to ask me "did you see that program on television?" or other "sighted" questions. I don't watch TV like you do, or keep up with the news the same way you do, but I am aware of what is going on in this old world.
Please don't grab me and try to pull me where you want me to go. Ask me before grabbing at me, just as you would anybody else. "Do you want to go with me to the snack bar?"
Leave doors all the way open or all the way closed. This includes cabinet doors! A half open door is dangerous for me.
Please do not complain to me about your eyeglasses! Be thankful there are eyeglasses that will help you to see! And on the same note, I am not really interested in difficulties you might have reading fine print. Be aware of how that sounds to me!
And thank you! Thank you for caring enough to read this information -- please pass it along to your children!
Here's my favorite link:
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- Bec Bec Aug 21, 2009 @ 3:05 am
- Being a legally blind 25 year old I have to say that I would find it REALLY patronising if a restaurant cut my steak for me or if a waitress offered to read the menu for me with someone I know sitting opposite me! And I have to say I'd think it'd be a bit of personal space invasion if they tapped me on the shoulder to get my order! Haha. I find it helpful to speak to the waitress myself when she initially introduces herself....so the white stick isn't so scary to them and they are aware that I'm not deaf or dim lol.
Ah well...maybe I'm just younger and more easy going......and thankfully haven't run into too many rude people!
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- Tipi Tipi Jun 6, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
- Wonderful lens! - Great topic, and a very heart felt love for your husband...and inspiring to others. Excellent!
Bless you!
Susie
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- Shelly Shelly Jun 6, 2009 @ 12:31 pm
- This is wonderfully sensitive and well needed. Iove the humor you carry and share, laughter does make the way easier. I worked for 23 years with people who have developmental disabilities. Sometimes when we'd be in stores, it seemed like we were invisable to sales staff--it got better over the years, but there is always room for imrovement. People want to be talked to, not about at any level--respect, respect, respect. Go girl! The pom-poms suit you so well!
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- Astrieanna Astrieanna Jun 6, 2009 @ 11:39 am
- Thanks for this informative lens -- it'll definitely make me feel a bit less awkward next time
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- loveslife loveslife Feb 3, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
- Joan & Whitey, thank you for sharing! Wonderful information! I am going to share this with my grandson so he grows up knowing what I didn't!
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- loveslife loveslife Feb 3, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
- Joan & Whitey, thank you for sharing! Wonderful information! I am going to share this with my grandson so he grows up knowing what I didn't!
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- eclecticeducation eclecticeducation Jan 29, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
- I don't know anyone who is blind, but thanks for writing the information. I will feel more prepared if I do meet a blind person now. 5*
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- Spook Spook Jan 27, 2009 @ 10:35 am
- Great lens as usual, makes you wonder sometimes. Best regards to you all.
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- boshemia boshemia Jan 27, 2009 @ 10:29 am
- I agree people need to be more aware of their manners. I have a hearing impaired Grandmother and sometimes people are very rude to her without realizing it. One lady was standing behind her in Wal-Mart clearing her throat repeatedly when I came around the corner she was being very rude about my grandmother blocking her way. I laughed and said "She can't hear." The lady blushed bright red and took off. Sometimes people don't pick up on those subtle clues that someone might not be able to hear or see them well...
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- luvmyludwig luvmyludwig Jan 27, 2009 @ 10:22 am
- This is a wonderful lens. I used to waitress and I can not imagine a waitress not offering to read the menu or at the very least make suggestions and I can't believe that she didn't speak directly to him. I guess some people just have no clue, I guess that's the reason for the lens--lol. I have read several of your lenses and I enjoy them all. Thank you both for contributing to this wonderful community and for always injecting humor into your writing and into your life!
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- Margo_Arrowsmith Margo_Arrowsmith Jan 1, 2009 @ 2:40 am
- I have a couple of clients who are blind. These things are so important. Thanks!
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- Cajean Cajean Dec 28, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
- What a helpful and informative lens, with a personal touch too. I've only known about 3 blind people in my adult life, and all three coincidentally (?) have great senses of humor. It seems to help everyone relax around them and get off on the right foot!
5* & my faves. :-)
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Oct 30, 2008 @ 10:44 am
- Joan, you have such a way in how you present your lenses. This is an excellent lens.
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Sep 9, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
- You've covered a sensitive topic with humor and class. Thanks for sharing your story.
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- NAIZA NAIZA Aug 13, 2008 @ 7:47 am
- Wow! This is a great and very educational topic especially for us dealing with people who has a sight disability. Thank you for sharing this.
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- coachbriany coachbriany Aug 13, 2008 @ 6:33 am
- really good information. I will feel more comfortable if in this position in the future.
I think so many people are afraid they often lose track of the idea that the person who is blind knows it.
No need to beat around the bush.
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- UncleCharley UncleCharley Aug 7, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
- I had the privilege of working with a 65 year old man who was blind since birth, he and his wife, also blind, raised 6 children on a farm, this included growing a vegetable garden.
I also had the privilege of escorting Doc Watson on stage many years ago, A lesson I learned about leading a blind person, let them take your arm instead of you taking theirs.
Great lens, enlightening and informative. 5*
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- OhMe OhMe Aug 3, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
- Great information. I am sure a lot of people will benefit. 5*
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- mulberry mulberry Jul 26, 2008 @ 8:34 am
- Excellent info. I think people are often uncomfortable around anyone with a disability or who is someone different simply because they aren't sure how to interact. I was a reader for the blind for some years and did learn a little bit from them. Thanks for this lens!
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- johndilbeck johndilbeck Jul 25, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
- Joan and Whitey, this is a great topic for a lens and you present the information so well. Thanks! JD
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- spirituality spirituality Jul 25, 2008 @ 11:30 am
- Great topic. I'm sure many will be helped reading this.
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