Perspectives and Mindless Mix-ups
A low vision person standing in the crowd will automatically bring a different perspective to the group. This is a strength. The low vision person’s perspective is built upon the creative nature of their mind’s eye.
Everywhere I go, I constantly picture in my mind the conversations I am a part of and everything that I perceive with my other senses. Therefore, the picture I have in my head is my perspective of reality and serves as my eyes. The more accurate and clearer, the better. The only way for me to learn if there is something significant missing from the picture in my mind’s eye is through my willingness to speak up and share what I am thinking. When I listen well to others, I can re-draw my mental picture and broaden my perspective. I get a better idea of what corresponds to reality versus what my mind filled in. This sometimes leads to the realization on both my part and that of others I am with that I have what I call mindless mix-ups. Times when what I thought was happening and what actually was happening didn’t line up too well. Patience and a sense of humor are two virtues I am constantly relying on.
There is no way to anticipate ahead of time all the different areas of understanding that will be affected by low vision living. For example, what I decided to have a seeing eye dog (a tiny dog) my husband could not have predicted by desire to use a vast counter space that we have differently than he has always used it. I discovered that the counter was the perfect height to bring my dog into my low vision range of sight when he wants to settle down and take a nap. This is an unconventional use of the counter but works for the needs of both the dog and I. My husband, on the other hand, sees the counter as a place to hold objects, often including a plate of food. A perfectly acceptable and conventional use of counter space. The dog has won out numerous times because of our varying views of the counter’s purpose.
Likewise, I use my hands to reach out and feel around for what is located toward the back of the refrigerator shelves. Often I can do this successfully and with no hiccups, identifying accurately what is what by the size, shape, etc. of the container. Sometimes, however, I’m in for a surprise. Take as an example when a grandchild has placed a cake without a cover in the fridge. I find myself going to wash off my sticky fingers, and throughout the day I hear multiple family members asking who stuck their fingers in the chocolate cake.
These are what I call mindless mix-ups. They lead to ongoing communication, sometimes in advance and all too often in hindsight, but either way, they give all of us the opportunity to practice creativity, diversity, patience and humor. All skills we can then bring to the wider social world.