Dealing With Vision Loss
by
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DEALING WITH A BLIND PERSON FOR THE FIRST TI The following are suggestions to keep in mind when dealing for the first time with a person who is blind. We are not super-human. We would like to be thought of as being just like you with the exception that we have a significant vision loss. We are not helpless, but we may not be able to do everything you do in the same way. Our limitations may be more evident, but we all have limitations, don’t we? 1. I am not deaf. It is not necessary to raise your voice when speaking to me. 2. If we are in a restaurant together and the waiter or waitress asks you a question about me, or what I want, please tell them to speak to me. A response such as “I don’t know, why not ask him?” would be in order. 3. Do not assume I can not do something simply because I am blind. If you want to know you can always ask. 4. Do not pay any attention to my dog guide. Do not talk to him/her. 5. Blindness does not automatically ensure that my other senses will be improved. Any sensory development on my part took lots of time and awareness to develop. It doesn’t happen because I can’t see, I have taught myself to rely on my other senses instead of my vision. 6. I probably will not want to touch your face to determine what you look like, but feel free to tell me if there's something on the floor that needs to be cleaned up, or my shirt's a mess and needs to be changed. 7. Do not avoid the words watch or see; I use them all the time. 8. Yes, I do watch TV and I do go to movies. If we go to a movie do not feel compelled to tell me what is going on. If I need to know, I will ask you. 9. Just because I may be blind doesn’t mean I can’t afford to buy my meal at the restaurant. 10. Do not feed my dog, it is fed daily and does not need table scraps. 11. If my dog is doing something it ought not to be doing, please let me know so I can discipline it myself. 12. If you see someone petting my dog, please let me know so I can inform them as to whether or not it is okay for them to do so. 13. There is no such thing as a dumb question except the one you don’t ask. 14. I may be glad to give you some information about being blind, however if you take the time to get to know me, you will find that I have many interests, hobbies and other activities which I pursue. 15. Because I have not ever been able to see, I do not see pictures of anything at any time, not even when I dream. However if I had been able to see at one time, I would retain those visual memories, and although they might at some point become out-of-date, they would be invaluable to me because having been able to see, I would retain the ability to visualize. 16. Blindness is not contagious. In most cases it is not hereditary and is not passed down through the generations. 17. Every single person who is blind is different. Each blind person you will meet probably has a different type of vision loss and probably sees things differently. Some are more capable than others. Some will be able to travel independently and some will ask for assistance. We do not all learn to play musical instruments at an early age and some of us can only play the radio. Please treat us with the respect we deserve and be sure to treat us as the individuals we are.
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About the Book
Dealing With Vision Loss offers information all in one place for people who are experiencing vision loss, family members whose parent, friend or sibling is experiencing vision loss and for parents of children who were born with a significant vision loss. Dealing With Vision Loss will help family members understand how the person who is losing his or her sight is feeling and perhaps explain some of their Dealing With Vision Loss will provide you, the person who is experiencing vision loss with hope and answers and a path through this sometimes overwhelming challenge of vision loss. Dealing With Vision Loss offers information on: using computers, how to make use of large print or talking software and why; whether to use large print or Braille; and making a decision as to whether to use a cane or to get a dog guide Dealing With Vision Loss offers an extensive resource list which covers everything from where to find: large print address books and playing cards, magnifiers; Dealing With Vision Loss will explain to parents what are the most important skills for their children who are blind to acquire before beginning school.
own uneasiness with regard to vision loss.
large print and talking watches and brailled greeting cards.
who come in contact with those of us who are blind from time to time.
About the Author
The author, blind since birth, presents his own unique perspective on blindness by blending his life experience with his work in and out of the field of blindness
He received his B.S. degree in Communications and Secondary Education and his
While a member of the Fort Wayne Jaycee’s, Fred assisted in many fund-raising events and also relieved many members of their hard-earned money while playing poker with his Braille cards.
During the International Year of Disabled Persons Fred was a city liaison for
His first job was at the School for the Blind at the age of 16 where he produced multiple copies of Braille books. He says, “If you want me to do something, just tell me I can’t.”
He has also worked in a Library for the Blind, as a Rehabilitation Teacher, offering skills training in cooking, Braille, guiding techniques, teaching people to function in a world where vision has become a secondary rather than a primary sense.
Other jobs include tele-marketer, substitute teacher, small-business owner, and snack bar manager and now he has chosen to use his expertise to provide you the reader with never-before presented concepts of thinking about blindness and how to cope with vision loss.
Fred now lives in
For more information go to: http://www.dealingwithvisionloss.com