“You don’t look blind” is something I still hear from people far too often.” ~Christina Holtz
Christina Holtz is a wife, mom, and Assistant Director at the Center for Independent Living. She has also shared other words of wisdom here on Bold Blind Beauty in Blind Beauty Issue #3 and Eyesight, Judgement & Independence.
Lots of people all over the world still believe this misconception that to be visually impaired you tend to look a certain way. They associate a certain look, an unresponsive stare, a vacant expression.
But there are many shades of blindness, it’s never all or nothing and it’s impossible to judge how someone sees by just the way they look back. Even today adverts for sight loss charities and guide dogs always seem to use people with no vision whose eyes have “that look” that most associated with blindness.
It keeps the misconceptions alive. It reinforces the barriers we have to overcome and stops people from reaching out for help with their vision loss because they feel that they’re not blind enough yet. You don’t have to be totally blind to use a cane or a guide dog and if you’re like me you don’t have to look a certain way to be visually impaired. ~Christina Holtz
Blind Beauty Description
A mock fashion magazine cover is the featured image. Christina’s 1000 watt smile lights up the photo as her blond hair frames her face.
Blocks of text on Christina’s photo: “Bold | She Keeps Pressing Onward; Blind | She Has Deeper Insight; Beautiful | She Sees To The Heart Of Others.”
Christina can be followed on Instagram: @christinamholtz