My friends are constantly asking me this question and for the most part I really do not have an answer. As they would tell it, we would be walking along in a mall or through a store or supermarket and my cane would be clearly visible for everyone to see. Yet, someone is coming along in the opposite direction and would simply walk right into me.
Some would argue that on any given day, sighted persons walk into each other anyway so what's the fuss all about? Maybe so, but I am just a bit confused as to why someone would do it when it is clear that I am blind and am unable to see. My cane is a bold indicator of my being blind. What is even more confusing is that too many people simply go on their way after bumping into me and never apologize.
Are we living in a world where we are just simply too busy to realize each others' challenges? Is it that we are just too busy to pay sufficient attention to each other? Or are we too busy to say sorry?
I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and inviting you to go out there and share my thoughts with others. Visit www.nfb.org to learn more.
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I've had this experience so many times, and, yes, I, too, carry an all-too-obvious large white cane. I can only suppose that people are drawn by my enormous magnetism!
ReplyDeleteI got so frustrated before Christmas when everyone had left their brains behind to join in the crush that I felt I had to attach a flashing dog collar to my stick to try to make the point. It did appear to work. If it hadn't, the next step was to carry a loud klaxon that I used to use on my bicycle and honk at the offenders.
Truth probably is that everyone lives in their own bubble and has too many distractions, self-imposed or otherwise.