Through Our Eyes: The Questions We’re Asked

For those of us with vision loss, every time we take up the cane and walk out our front door, it is inevitable that we will get questions regarding our condition. People want to know how we accomplish tasks or about our lifestyle in general.

As a longstanding member of the blind community, I’m happy to answer those questions. And most of the people I’ve met who are blind or visually impaired are, too.

So this is in no way a complaint or indictment of the sighted community; rather, it is simply a statement of fact and being asked questions is a part of our daily existence. In fact, I’d never discourage anyone from asking me questions when they are clearly just curious and making an effort to understand me and the blind community better.

During my 37 years as a blind person, I’ve been asked a litany of questions ranging from well thought-out and considerate inquiries to those that end up confounding me on how to answer.

Below you will find a couple of lists, the first of which contains what I believe are the most common questions that I and other people who are blind or visually impaired receive. The second list has three questions that, by their nature, really don’t have answers. I include them just for everyone’s understanding. I tried to make them a little humorous, too.

Finally, please note the contents of both lists has been compiled with the input and opinions of other blind and visually impaired men and women.

Good Questions, (as in, hey, that’s a good question)

Q: How do you pick out your clothing?

A: I won’t speak for my blind and visually impaired cohorts, but for me this is one of the most common questions I receive. I imagine that all people with vision loss have different systems and ways of doing things, but for me I utilize a pattern of organization within my closet, (as well as being able to feel different stitching, logos, fabrics, patterns and designs on my shirts) I wear neutral-colored slacks for work, (like khaki or grey) which can match easily with most colors, and hey, everything goes with jeans.

Q: How do you handle transportation?

A: This answer might very (depending on the person as well as the area they live in and what transportation is available) but for me living in Kansas City, I use a combination of a program called “Ride KC Freedom” as well as our KCATA bus system, and the Uber/Lyft apps for short distances (or to areas that the other options will not travel to). Which might make you wonder how I use a smartphone and apps since I can’t see. Technology that reads what’s on the screen is amazing and makes it possible for me to use a phone and all the apps that you do.

Q: Can you cook?

A: I think this question is applicable to just about anyone, (regardless of visual acuity) for I don’t believe that having sight is indicative of being able to cook. While I would never categorize myself as a culinary master, I do know how to cook several different dishes. I have braille labels on all my spices, as well as tactile dots on my stove, oven and microwave. I use exact times for cooking things like noodles or baking dishes like casserole, and am able to use texture, sound and smell when doing things like browning meat or frying eggs.

Some of the easiest dishes to cook when you are blind are casseroles, tacos, burgers, and crock pot dishes such as chili, barbecue beef, and chicken and dumplings. A crock pot is the blind chef’s best friend.

Questions that don’t necessarily have answers (with a touch of humor)

Q: How much can you see?

Response: This question in of itself is a good question; however, once I answer that I am completely blind, inevitably it will have  the follow up questions, “So, can you drive?” or “So, can you see me?” or “So, can you read print?”

Q: Without being able to see, how do you know where your mouth is while eating.

Response: While I’m not a member of the sighted community, as far as I am aware none of them look in a mirror while they are eating.

Q: If I touch you, will I go blind?

Response: I actually told a story from my own life about this particular question in a blog prior to this one. Blindness is not the flu. You do not need to wash your hands after touching a blind person or wear a mask around them, nor do you need your blindness vaccine.

Ask Away

I do not want to speak for others, but I will speak for myself in saying that I do not mind at all in answering questions. In fact, it does not bother me in the slightest whenever sighted people take a genuine interest and curiosity into my day-to-day life, (but if you ask me how I eat if I can’t see my mouth, you might end up in my next blog post.)