Having Fun with Disabilities Laugh, do your best and keep moving

People have asked me how I deal with being blind. The question makes a lot of sense. Most people can’t imagine losing a finger, let alone their sight. It is only natural to wonder: how do blind people deal with the daily ups and downs of sightless life?

For me, the answer is to adjust your attitude and look for ways to have fun with disability. Sometimes this means rolling with the punches and smiling at whatever life throws your way. Here’s a story to illustrate what I mean.

One time, I went to a casino with my sister. This is a place I know fairly well because I visited it before I lost my eyesight. I pretty much knew where things were located.

I told my sister I was going to the restroom, and she said, “Do you want help?”

“Oh no,” I said, “I can do it myself.” I go to the restroom, open the door, and walk in. I notice that one of the people in the room immediately stops talking when they see me. When you’re blind, you can tell if someone is looking at you funny. But I’m used to it, so I didn’t pay any attention. I’ve got to live my life, right?

So, I go to wash my hands and begin to realize that something is different about this restroom. Reader, I will spare you the vivid details and just say, this was a men’s room. No wonder everyone was staring at me!

I said out loud, “Don’t be embarrassed. I’m blind and can’t see anything, and I’m sorry for invading your territory.”

And I got out of there as quickly as I could. Fortunately, because I am blind, I wouldn’t recognize any of the men who had seen me. No sweat off my back. That’s the kind of attitude you need sometimes to get through life.

Sometimes you realize halfway through the day that you put your blouse on backward because you couldn’t tell which side was the front and which was the back. Or you realize that your hair is all messed up, and you didn’t know that because you can’t look in the mirror.

You just have to laugh, realize you are doing the best you can, and keep moving. Surround yourself with people who can laugh, too. You will make yourself happier, and you’ll make the world a happier place!

By Rebecca Piros, Beaverton Committee on Aging member. Learn more about the BCOA at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/BCOA.