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Blind truths: Busting myths about blindness
Blind truths: Busting myths about blindness—from someone who lives it
Reposted from Facebook, written by Michele Farrell
Blind truths: Busting myths about blindness—from someone who lives it
Hey, I’m legally blind. If you’re wondering what that’s like, imagine walking through life with a smudged camera lens, bad Wi-Fi and a flashlight that only works when it feels like it. That’s my world.
Over the years, I’ve heard all kinds of myths about blindness—some funny, some ridiculous and some that make me wonder how people survive without Google. So, let’s bust these myths with a little truth, a lot of snark and maybe a few laughs.
Myth #1: Blind People See Nothing. Like, Absolute Darkness What People Think: Blindness means I’m living in the Upside Down—total blackness, no visuals, just void. The Reality: Blindness is a spectrum, my friend. Only about 10-15% of blind people see absolutely nothing. The rest of us? We see in varying degrees of blurry, hazy and confusing. For me, it’s like staring through a foggy windshield during a rainstorm. Am I going to win a staring contest? No. But can I tell the difference between a wall and a person? Usually. Little-Known Fact: Some blind people experience Charles Bonnet Syndrome, where their brain fills in the visual gaps with random images. One friend “sees” checkerboards and cartoonish faces. Me? I just see my messy house, blurry as ever. LOL Moment: Once, someone waved their hand in front of my face to “check” if I was really blind. Listen, I might not see your hand, but I absolutely see your bad manners.
Myth #2: Blind People Have Superpowers What People Think: Since I can’t see, my other senses must have leveled up, right? Like I’m a walking superhero with sonar-level hearing, Sherlock Holmes-level touch, and a nose that can detect pizza from a mile away. The Reality: I’m not Daredevil. My other senses aren’t superhuman—I’ve just trained them to pick up on things most people ignore. I might recognize someone by the sound of their voice or footsteps, but that’s not magic, it’s survival. Little-Known Fact: Echolocation—yep, like bats and dolphins—is a real skill some blind people use. Daniel Kish, a blind man who teaches echolocation, can ride a bike while clicking his tongue to “see” obstacles. Cool, right? That said, I’m sticking to Ubers. LOL Moment: Someone once asked if I could “feel colors.” I told them, “Sure, red feels spicy, and green feels like envy—kind of like what you’re feeling now, huh?”
Myth #3: Blind People Are Helpless What People Think: “Oh my gosh, how do you do things? Do you need someone to, like, guide you everywhere?” The Reality: I’m blind, not useless. I work, cook, pay bills, travel and occasionally kill my houseplants like everyone else. Thanks to modern tech and stubbornness, I live a pretty normal life. Ever heard of screen readers, apps that describe objects or smart home devices? Yeah, we’re out here thriving. Little-Known Fact: Blind people have been innovating for centuries. For example, Louis Braille created his reading system when he was just 15 years old. Meanwhile, I spent age 15 figuring out how to style my hair. LOL Moment: A stranger once narrated my every move while I shopped: “She’s reaching for a shelf… she’s picking something up…” Listen, lady, I’m not a National Geographic special. I’m just buying cereal.
Myth #4: Every Blind Person Has a Guide Dog What People Think: We all have a perfectly trained dog that does everything except pay taxes—fetches our stuff, chooses our outfits, maybe even brews our morning coffee. The Reality: Guide dogs are amazing, but they’re not for everyone. I use a cane because it’s cheaper, doesn’t need kibble and won’t lick my face when I’m trying to work. A guide dog is a big responsibility, and not every blind person wants or needs one. Little-Known Fact: In some countries, blind people use guide horses instead of dogs. Miniature horses are hypoallergenic, live longer and are basically the cutest thing you’ll ever see. I mean, who wouldn’t want a tiny horse trotting through the grocery store? Cringe Moment: Someone once asked if my (nonexistent) guide dog could read braille for me. I said, “Yes, and it types my emails too.”
Myth #5: Blindness Is the End of the World What People Think: Being blind must be devastating—a Shakespearean tragedy with sobbing violins and dramatic swooning. The Reality: Blindness is just a part of my life. Sure, there are challenges, but who doesn’t have those? I laugh, work, binge-watch Netflix (yes, it’s accessible) and procrastinate like anyone else. Honestly, blindness isn’t the hardest thing in my day—it’s figuring out what to cook for dinner. Little-Known Fact: In some cultures, blindness was seen as a spiritual gift. Ancient Greeks thought blind poets like Homer had special insight into the human condition. (Plot twist: Maybe we’ve been cool all along.) Relatable Truth: My biggest struggle isn’t blindness—it’s resisting the urge to order takeout again.
Fun facts about blindness you didn’t know
- Braille was inspired by a military code called “night writing,” used to send messages in the dark. Basically, blind people turned a war hack into a global accessibility tool. You’re welcome.
- Blind people dream, too! If you had vision at some point, your brain remembers colors, faces and places—even if you can’t see them now.
- Japan’s beer cans have braille on top to warn they’re alcohol. Now if only they’d add, “Caution: Tastes like regret” to IPAs.
- Some blind people have concealed carry permits in the U.S. Yes, we can (and do) handle firearms.
When society got it so, so wrong
Let’s take a stroll through history’s cringe-worthy moments:
- In the early 1900s, blindness in newborns was blamed on mothers’ “moral failings.” Spoiler: It was preventable infections like gonorrhea. Medical science, do better.
- Hollywood has a habit of making blind characters either tragic victims or magical heroes. Spoiler alert: Love doesn’t “cure” blindness, and no, I don’t have psychic powers.
How to not be awkward around blind people
Want to avoid making it weird? Follow these tips:
1. Introduce Yourself: Don’t make me guess who you are. Unless you’re Morgan Freeman, your voice isn’t that distinctive.
2. Be Specific: Directions like “it’s over there” are useless. Try, “It’s three steps to your left.”
3. Ask Before Helping: Grabbing my arm without warning? Not helpful. Just ask if I need assistance.
4. Chill Out: I’m blind, not fragile. Treat me like a person, not a walking PSA.
Final Thoughts Blindness isn’t a curse or a superpower—it’s just life. Sure, it’s different, but it’s not tragic or magical. So, if you meet someone who’s blind, skip the assumptions, ditch the pity,and definitely don’t wave your hand in their face.
I might not see it, but trust me—I’ll know.
By Michele Farrell
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