Writings about Ataxia, being DeafBlind, family life. The best life can offer!


can I help you?

You know what my biggest peeve is?Image result for helping clipart

People who think I need help because they see my white cane and my sunglasses.  They think: Gasp!  A blind man!  He can’t see!  I must help!

“Sir, are you okay?”

“This bus goes to Lougheed Mall.”

“Are you lost?”

“The debit card goes in the slot.”

These are possible comments that people are saying: being Deaf, I have no idea what they are saying!

Remember my Jerked on the subway blog, which demonstrates a perfect example of people jumping to conclusions!

The moral of this blog is, if I ask you for help, then yes, I need it.  If I don’t ask, I don’t need.

I have had people walk beside me for a few hundred yards, obviously trying to help or being friendly with The Blind Guy.  But that Blind Guy is actually quite fine, and he is That DeafBlind Guy!  I hope that by not acknowledging you kindness, I am preventing you from helping other individuals.

By the way, just to set the record straight: I couldn’t hear a siren from a firetruck unless it is right on top of me, and I just happened to be looking not at the truck, but to the left.  If you can figure that out, raise your left hand!

Naturally, if I fall over in public, cracking my knee on the pavement, then YES, help is needed!  I cannot deny that, I won’t ask either! And I do thank you!

Thank you for reading and Like, Share & Donate!

Responses

  1. […] is what I was talking about in my Can I help you blog.  If you see my trying to find a place to eat, let me be.  I didn’t ask for your help, […]

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  2. […] flows from yesterday’s blog, Can I help you, and from previous Police blogs from a year ago (example […]

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  3. […] week, I posted about Can I help you in a public sort of […]

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About the author

Craig MacLean is DeafBlind with ataxia, a rare condition called CAPOS. He & his wife of 22 years have two sons, the oldest of which has CAPOS as well.

Craig uses American Sign Language to communicate. He is an avid writer, friend, Hot Wheel collector and intervenor advocate.

Craig sits on many committees, boards and associations as a DeafBlind rep. He graduated university with a BA in psychology in 2000.