I am blind, I use a white cane, and I wear heels
Just because I don’t fit into some people’s boxes of conformity does not make me any less blind and that’s okay. While I liked seeing well, swapping physical sight for deeper insight was worth the trade.
In a recent interview about people with disabilities, I was asked why I chose to go with “blind” as a personal descriptor as opposed to a term like sight-impaired. As a legally blind individual, I intentionally refer to myself as “blind” because I wanted to change the stigma associated with the word. Little did I know I would meet so many other people who feel the same as I do and we are all working towards creating a more inclusive world. Okay, that’s it for today’s speech.
Easy Peasy Downsizing
Downsizing doesn’t have to be hard, it simply requires a little planning. For example, whittling down my shoe collection is sometimes just a matter of exchange.
In the image are two pairs of black stilettos which I gave away in exchange for one new pair of chunkier heels. While I liked the other pairs, my feet weren’t happy. So the solution was to go with a thicker heel that provides more support and comfort without sacrificing style.
Paring down is an evolving process that not only clears space (I need my feng shui) but as an individual who cannot see very well, I have an easier time choosing what to wear with less to choose from. The added bonus was being able to use a DSW reward for $10 off and free shipping.
Wouldn’t it be grand if we could just as easily swap our misconceptions for enlightenment? Just because things don’t “appear” as we think they should don’t mean anything. We should approach those things we don’t comprehend with an open mind before forming an opinion. When we seek to understand that’s when we can make informed decisions and become more accepting.