I think it is very tough on people with any type of disability - I remember being told ages ago by a man in a wheelchair, that HE had to take it as his responsibility to make people feel comfortable. I think this is very tough, I really do, but perhaps an outgoing approach by anyone with any sort of disability, might be the best type of education for the general public? however, I think this is a bit much to ask - I am not disabled so I have not experience of this - but it is worth a thought?

I have often thought that the normally sighted world has no slot for people who are neither blind nor normally sighted. They treat us middle-grounders either like we can't see anything at all or like we can see as well as they can. THey don't know what to do with us.

I agree with your post.

I agree with that boodles, about them treating us middle grounders, like we either have no vision problems at all, or like we can't see anything at all. I think alot of that, is because they have nothing to really relate to.

I mean, like the other day for example at school, one of the ladies in my Student Leadership Academy, made it a point to mention (not directly to me but to another lady while I was in the same room) when we went to Dunkin Donuts, and I couldn't see what donuts were back in the shelf. I mean, she knew I was blind, but she mentioned, half the fun of going to dunkin donuts was looking at the donuts in the back. That was all she said, and the other lady who she was talking to said "well welcome to his world" I laughed, and I said "yeah, and I've never been able to either. I've never been able to see menu boards at mcdonalds or anything like that" she just couldn't immagine what that was like, so it made her even more distant towards me, because she couldn't relate to that.

but yes this is true Cathrynn, that it is our responsibility, that WE have to take it as OUR responsibility to make people feel comfortable. It isn't always easy, because generally people feel uneasy, and uncomfortable, around people they can't relate to. They don't realize we just want to be treated like anyone else. I think people in general don't feel comfortable around anyone they can't relate to in some way, I think thats what it boils down to.

Im not so sure thats its down to people not being able to relate to us but possibley more to do with lack of understanding and social steriotyping. Im registered partially sighted and have a lot of sight. Often people dont realise that I have a visual impairment untill I tell and even them sometimes they dont always believe me. When I do tell people tho they often instandtly think Im blind and dont really understand the term partially sighted. Partcaulary in shops and banks etc. Ive often found myself being grabbed by the arm and dragged around because they think thats what you do with a blind person or they suddenly start talking louder towards me. Either that or they look at me in amazement as I walk from one side of the room to the other and not walk into anythhing or anyone. I found though once ive expalined a basic example of my sight (as its extremely complicated and sometimes even I get confused) they seam to be ok with it. The only real problem I get with reguards to sighted people relating to it is I cant tell them what the difference between my sight and thier sight as Ive never had perfect sitght and often find people asking me questions trying to compare the difference in sight. I found once people know me they forget about my sight and we all just get on with it. Even my family forget which is funny at times because when I ask for help or do something in a strange way sometimes for a split secound they give me a funny look and then suddenly they remember. I preffer it that way though and will tell people that I woud prefer they just carry on as they do and answer any questions they have as best as I can. Also I dont get offended when people make jokes and my sight or blind people in general and I often laugh at myself when I walk into things or trip etc. i dont see the point in having a chip on yor shoulder it dont really get you anywhere. I foudn if your relaxed about your sight then so are other poeple and they are less likely to act funny around you or other visually impaired people they might meet.