Did That Really Just Happen

Greetings all! This time around I’m going to talk about an interesting thing that happened to me because of my blindness. You would be completely amazed how often these odd little incidences occur from day to day. Sometimes it’s annoying but usually it just makes me laugh. Sometimes, it leaves me thinking… did that just happen? Sometimes, I wish I could see so I could look someone in the eye properly while I give them the you’re an idiot look. But seriously, most of these things happen due to lack of knowledge and that’s one of the reasons I’ve started this blog in the first place. No not all of my writing will be about blindness but probably a good portion. I hope to add humor to the subject as well as put forth some pearls that will help someone interact with a blind person in their daily life. But anyway, back to the point… as you can tell I get distracted by myself.

Several years ago I walked down to the bus stop near where I lived. It was only two blocks away and I had walked the route several times while living there. It was a cold windy Washington day and believe it or not yes it was raining. This usually makes my travel a somewhat annoying experience. I must admit I absolutely hate walking in the rain. Yes I know, I so live in the wrong state. On this particular day I didn’t have my umbrella so my grouchy meter was climbing from the start.

I got to the stop about five minutes before the bus was scheduled to get there. I knew that gave me about a ten minute wait since the transit system was never ever under pretty much any circumstance on time. Please keep in mind I was standing by the pole that signifies the corner as a bus stop. There was even a clearly marked sign and everything. In fact, I was actually leaning on the pole patiently (well sort of) waiting for the bus. I had my backpack on and my cane in my hand. I should also mention I was playing with the cane before you later ask if I looked like I was getting ready to move. Also my head was pointed down not up at attention.

So about four minutes into my wait I hear a car pull over near me. Then I heard that car door open and a few seconds later it closed. Next, I hear quick footsteps coming toward me. I must admit I sort of freeze because my internal pessimist was screaming KIDNAPPER!! Obviously, I should have run but seriously what would have been the point? I probably would have just fallen or got hit by a car it was kind of a lose lose situation. All of these things raced through my mind in the split second I realized they were coming toward me.

The next thing I knew the person gently took my arm and started walking off the curb. I was so dumbfounded I didn’t say a word. And yes before you judge I know screaming would have been my best option. But in my defense it was the first time anything like this had ever happened to me and I panicked. It really kinda sucked because I actually do have a great girl scream. For the first time in my live my mouth didn’t work. For those of you who are reading this and know me I know that’s unlikely ha ha ha very funny.

Anyway. I quickly realized he wasn’t dragging me to his car where he would drive me to the sight of my untimely death. When he took me off the curb he went straight there was no turn towards his car at all. About the time we got to the curb across the street my idiocy finally dissolved and my lips unglued themselves.

“Um, what are you doing?” I asked stupidly and much too late.

My captor says casually, “Helping you across the street,” with no other explanation. His tone implied his action was obvious and I may be somewhat crazy for even asking such a question.

With a huge sigh of relief that I wasn’t going to die after all I replied, “Great thanks, now can you take me back cuz I wasn’t trying to cross.”

Needless to say we both felt completely stupid. He somehow thought not talking to me first was the best option and I was a moron and just let it happen. Again, in my defense I was much younger at the time and quite a bit more ignorant not to mention a coward. I was a lot newer to my vision loss then, so any form of confrontation scared the crap out of me.

So the moral of this story is when someone randomly grabs you away from your bus stop no matter the reason scream your stinking head off. Or at least have enough courage to ask what the hell the person is doing. Also your cane isn’t just for mobility; it can be a great weapon if you actually attempt to use it as one. However, in this particular case my attacker was actually a Good Samaritan so a blow to his knee with my cane would have been kinda rude.

PS...
If you’re thinking this is too odd to be true, don’t. I promise you this actually happened and yes it’s embarrassing. Even still, it’s funny too and one of the points of this blog is to shed light on the subject of blindness. It isn’t always pretty but it’s my life and I wouldn’t change a minute of it. Stay tuned for further installments in this series.