We're not helpless; we don't need your pity. One thing that really gets my blood to boiling is when sighted people act as if those who are visually impaired or blind need them. We are not your charity cases, your ego boosters, your good deeds. Many of us are great people, so we deserve to have friends who are there for us for that reason. We're not interested in friends who think they're better than us because they can see or that we need them to protect us. We want friends; we don't need care-takers, thank you very much.
What is especially frustrating is the fact that this doesn't just occur between disabled people and able-bodied people. Oh no, it happens within the disability community as well. Last week, Daria and I recorded an audioboo about an incident that upset us both very much. A girl who we both know, who is in an organization with us saw us walking around 9:00 at night. She asked us where we were going, and we told her back to the dorm. We asked her where she was going, and she said to the ATM. It was already dark out, and she is a wheelchair user, so we offered to walk with her. She didn't seem to be very enthusiastic about Daria and I joining her on her trip, but agreed to let us walk with her. Yes, she let us walk with her. She did not want us there. This became more and more apparent as the journey went on. Her attitude conveyed to us that she thinks of us as just the blind people, that she feels our disability is worse than hers, and therefore, she does not need our assistance. Think I'm reading too much into the situation? Let me give you another example that happened with the same girl. We were in the cafeteria, and she called out to us to join her as we passed her table. It is important to note that this incident took place a day or so after the first incident. Reluctantly, Daria and I sat with her. As we sat there, she proceeded to tell us that she wanted us to sit with her so we didn't have to sit alone. This made no sense to me, because she was the one sitting alone. We had each other to talk to. In no way was her condescending presence desired or required.
What is it about having vision that makes people feel so entitled? Why is one disability considered better than, or above another type of disability? These are questions that I don’t know the answers to, and the fact that I even have to ask them infuriates me.