Today, Lyle and I were waiting at a sales counter where we
were both required to sign a document. Usually when I need to sign something,
Lyle will point the pen at the particular spot and I will sign my name. Easy
peasy! However, today, after Lyle had signed his name and was preparing to hand
the document to me, the young girl on the other side of the counter addressed
Lyle and said, “Does she need help with signing?”
I found the use of “her” pronoun especially annoying. After
all, I was standing right there. I hadn’t donned my invisibility cloak. Would
it have been too much for this woman to ask me directly if I needed any
assistance?
I have often been irked by the habit of some people who will
ask my guide of the moment some question about me – a question which I am
perfectly capable of answering myself. I don’t like being spoken about when the
opportunity is there to speak to me directly. On occasion, I have heard similar
comments from others who need assistance from a guide or care giver. Once, a
friend who travelled with a guide dog mentioned the same thing. She said she was
surprised how many people would speak with her dog instead of speaking with
her. I have also heard similar comments from people who need to use a
wheelchair. Strangers will talk to the
person pushing the chair rather than the occupant.
This week I had been wondering what I would write about on
my blog. I hope that you will forgive this little rant. It is perhaps a small
point – this communication between the world of people who are blind and those
who can see, but for me it is an important one. It’s bad enough that we might
not be able to see other people, but it’s not so good when they behave in a way
that means that they don’t see us. If you have something to say to me, please
talk to me.
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