Back from Walmart. Everyone and his brother is at Walmart on a Saturday afternoon. One guy came up and started a conversation with me. I did not know him from Adam. I almost played the visually impaired card. “I’m sorry. I am losing my vision and cannot see you clearly. Who are you?” The problem was, I was close enough to actually see him and I still did not know him! Apparently I am more memorable than he is…or he has a decent memory and I don’t!
I guess being able to “play that card” may actually be a perk of becoming visually impaired. Is it dishonest to act like it is a vision problem keeping you from knowing someone?
Then I saw some people from my school. They spoke to me and I recognized the body types and gaits. I told them I was losing my vision and if I did not acknowledge them, they would need to speak to me first. Also identify themselves. I know a lot of people and I don’t necessarily remember a lot of voices. Standing there trying to hold a conversation with someone you should know and don’t is rather aggregating.
How many innocuous comments can you make while your mind is going 100 miles an hour trying to place someone?
This may sound conceited and arrogant, but hey, it’s me, right? I was slightly peeved the people from school did not know I am losing my sight! I mean, this is a big deal (to me)! I cannot be going around telling every single soul I meet that I am losing my vision. It becomes tedious and monotonous. What happened to that very efficient grapevine small towns are supposed to have? Important information like this should get around! Do I have to do everything myself? Jeez.
Then I ran into an ex-client. She has a developmental delay and no filters. When I told her I was losing my sight and in future she would have to speak to me first and identify herself…?? This person screamed across Walmart to her friend “Hey! Sue is going blind!” Maybe I can hire her as my publicist! [Lin/Linda here: I wish we could find a cartoonist for the website because this is one of many things Sue’s said that would make a GREAT cartoon, don’t you think? HaHaHa!]
So that was today’s trip to Walmart. Interesting place. You never know what you will see…or not see. Have a good evening!
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