I totally agree with this! Deaf here, and many of us don't call ourselves disabled even though we technically are. We're simply Deaf, or hard of hearing, or whatever label people choose. Many of us don't see anything wrong with ourselves, and see it as society's "problem" for not being able to communicate with us (which isn't even that hard!). Besides, why would I want to be "fixed" if I've never experienced what it's like to be "normal"? This is a way of life for me, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I really love the way you presented this! I've found that dealing with "disabilities" can be difficult but it's all in the way you handle it. I have Myoclonic Epilepsy and am unable to drive for a while, but having a positive outlook is what has helped me for years. You're doing a wonderful job and your videos are great! I hope that your videos can continue to help people!
yes!! just like the term hearing impaired, deaf people usually find it offensive, we do not need to be fixed we just need you to be aware and maybe learn some sign. no problem there whatsoever xxx
I can think of a problem, struggle, issue that I face everyday. I was raised around and love cars. My icon is a picture of cars. Being told I can't drive is something that I'm strapped with everyday. I live in a rural area where the nearest bus stop is four miles away. I dream of being a truck driver but I can't do that due to my vision. People want me and people with disabilities to be independent. Think for a minute, what is the meaning of independence? The lack of relying on people, yet there is a majority of people who don't want self driving cars nor do they support stem cell research that may lead to help in the correction of people's afflictions
Kingsize Customs Totally agree❤️ Sometimes I believe everyone in society wants and praises upon other people. This may simply be because we can't do as much without a lot of help. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 This does make me very upset because sometimes everyone with vision impairments might need that extra support. So do other people with other disabilities. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 There are people who just do not understand. Hey she can't do this because of a Vision Impairment, or the other person might thinks it's because of the other person being lazy.
Dude, i just started watching you and I love everything you're talking about but my favorite part of your channel is how the mass amount of people that you respond to in the comments. You're awesome!! Keep it up James.
Hello! I'm "disabled" due to a disease, MS, but actually I'm totally able to do everything, in my own way. I am a latina from Guatemala trying to make people see that people with disabilities are totally capable. I love your videos and Annie Elainey's videos! You guys motivated me to start this. Hope I can meet you awesome people one day!
I'm blind and I'm proud of my self and I don't want to change that people always see my blindess as a problem and I don't see it like that and they tell me a lot that I should have a cure and I don't want a cure I used to my life with my blindess. Thank you for this video.
There are other blind vloggers on UA-cam who have explained voice over; you can learn to type blind (in fact I am doing so at the moment - ever noticed the two bumps on the F and J keys? They're so you know where to place your index fingers and don't accidentally "get lost" ;) ) And of course old fashioned (seldomly used these days) you could always ask a friend or someone else to type for you. There are so many options...
Other peoples reactions to me was and still is, always my *problem*, not the way I was or am. My dad used to ask me about my friends when I want to a VI college, he used to say, do they have *problems* too?? I always felt embarrassed when he said that, and as though it was an offence, like it *was* a *problem*. I just want to let you know, that I admire you so much for putting your experience and opinion out there, and for taking the time to make your videos. I think that your are incredibly brave and admirable for being honest and for trying to help others to understand. You inspire me very much, and I hope that you feel worthy in your truth and in your experience no matter what from others, because you are. Thank you so much for your videos and for helping others to feel less alone. x
This is motivational to think about. If you have a "problem" you cannot fix, it's not a problem by definition. I never thought about that. The problem is how you relate to it. If you go blind and struggle with dealing with life as a consequence, that's a problem, because it's something you can fix. You can learn to get back the quality of life, even get a better quality of life and live a better life. That's completely possible. But if you go blind, there's nothing you can do to fix it. Treating it as a problem will be very counter-productive. This goes for absolutely everything in our lives. Everyone should learn from this, if they are struggling with something they really cannot fix anyway. You got autism? Not a problem. You've gone bald? Not a problem. You got down syndrome? Not a problem. You got tiny tits? Not a problem. You got an ugly face? Not a problem. You missing a leg? Not a problem. You got a low IQ? Not a problem. You got a small dick? Not a problem. Yeah, this makes sense. It's actually a relief thinking about the world this way. Absolutely everyone has something they are worried about, spend energy thinking about, but cannot really fix. So it's a waste of energy. I'm not saying it's easy to stop focusing on something you've been feeling bad about for some time, it's pretty difficult. But it's a relief to understand the difference between a problem and a disadvantage. All problems are disadvantages, but not all disadvantages are problems. Myself I have been struggling with anxiety issues and panic attacks for the last three and a half years after a mental breakdown. But I always try to see it as a challenge, and not a problem. It's something I can grow and learn from. In the long term, it's something that can enhance my quality of life. I'm certain if I had not had this attitude I would have been stuck down that well of suffering still, because the gods know I was really suffering when the whole world collapsed. But now, I can say my life is mostly good. Certainly better. Improving every day. I've learned a lot. I'm a different man now. It's not a problem. I'm not afraid of a challenge.
Great video. So interesting to hear your point of view on this. Only bad thing is that you can't see what a beautiful man you are 😊 I don't have a disability but I don't think it should be called a problem if you do, especially if you don't know any different. You live with what you were given and that's how it is.
This really spoke to me, I don't have any visual impairments that cant be fixed easily with glasses, but this philosophy can be applied in so many different areas. We seem to get so bogged down in thinking we have so many "problems" when in fact we really don't and shouldn't dwell on our imperfections. You are a truly inspiring person and I am so glad I came across your channel. I know you probably wont read this comment but if you do, thanks
Ive had muscular dystrophy since I was born and I've been blessed to have people that care about me and like me the way I am. I have a great family, amazing friends, and a beautiful girlfriend. All who love me just how I am. Being blind or having impaired vision seems much more of a struggle I don't want to take anything away from you, but Never in my life have I felt like I have a problem. Or something that needs to be fixed. So I totally understand what you're saying. God gives everybody wings. He just sorta clipped ours a little bit, but as long as we can still fly it's all good.
I have transverse myelitis and I have some nerve damage and trouble walking. I mostly get around on basic forearm crutches outside of work and my home that are used for balance more than anything else. I can essentially do what most able bodied people can do, aside from run, lift heavy things or do sports and whatnot. Though my disability is visible, it doesn't hold me back from accomplishing my goals. The accommodations I do need are often met, and I'm very fortunate in that sense. And though there is no cure for me, my disability still causes people to respond to me in ways that do get in the way of my personal happiness and success at times. Work, interviews, sex, relationships, etc. all are more difficult because of how people treat my disability. It's not fair that people treat me like this, and it's not my fault that they do. Often times I don't let it get to me, it's a reality I live with so I make the best of it. I have developed methods to get people to listen to me, and not be so distracted by my legs. So by definition, my disability isn't a problem, but it's still something I would objectively be better off without. I don't say this to start a fight or anything either. I did appreciate hearing your viewpoint, even though I only agreed with certain aspects of it.
I'm handicap, I'm in a wheelchair full time and when I was little there was all this pressure to walk, be "normal" by their standards. when I got older I just said I wanted to stop cus I'm much faster in a chair than I ever would be if I were crutches or a walker.
I am intrigued by what you are setting out to accomplish. Taking your perceived weakness and turning it into your actual strength. Truly beautiful man and I am so inspired by what you are doing. Will be keeping up with you for sure and sharing your stuff.
If I were presented with a cure for my blindness, I would not take it. I have the power to inspire people when I step out of my house into the sighted world each day. There is so much that I can do with this ability. God made me this way for a reason.
James, I have weird issues with my vision during intense chronic migraines, it's really annoying but really nothing compared to the challenges you face everyday with your vision. It may hurt when someone refers to you in a way that makes you feel broken, but it's very important to constantly seek ways to better your quality of life. Saying that this is not a problem for you and that if a cure was offered, you would reject it seems to be a reaction to maybe feeling offended by something someone said, in this case "Problem". In my opinion this IS a medical problem and trying to solve it may in the future help many people overcome this sight issue and in return possibly live a more fruitful visual experience on Planet Earth . That being said, I really enjoy your content! keep it up man.
I always have said I’m legally blind or visually impaired. My blindness is caused by Keratoconus, I lost the ability to wear contacts and glasses when I was diagnosed at 21 yrs old. I was in college, living my life, going out and having fun with my family and friends. After my diagnosis, I fell into a deep depression that I feel like I’m barely climbing out of 20 years later. Your videos are so inspiring. I found out about you through iJustine’s video on her Air Tags. You’ve inspired me to start back up with my channel or create an entirely new one and hopefully I’ll be able to earn a living sharing my story and experiences. 🙏🏻🤞🏻 Thank you!!
@MissSerendipitty22 - Have you really lost your ability to wear contacts and glasses? There's certain assistive devices that can be used in conjunction with standard glasses, like telescopic lenses.
Came over from Tommy's channel, you are a very intelligent guy and I enjoyed listening to you talk about this. Subscribed and I'm looking forward to seeing more videos :)
I have Visual Snow Syndrome. I have had it all 14 years of my life. Up until 6 months ago I thought that was normal. I can live with it but I would love for it to be fixed. It makes it hard to see at times, expecially in the dark. I would also like to see clearly. Sadly research is very minimal as barely anyone knows it exists. Here is a link to a website where you can see what visual snow looks like. I'm about a 30 and a 4. You can only view it on a computer. visionsimulations.com/simulators/visual-snow
Great explaination. I once heard a person describe autism this way. They explained that they are not broken, they are DIFFERENT, and these differences may have diaadvantages but this does not make it a problem. To paraphrase the person: "If a fish is out of water and struggles to breath, you do not try to fix the fish, you fix its environment; you put it in water." Things such as blindness, legal blindness, and other disabilities... it's just different. Not bad. We live in a sighted world, so that can be hard. But there is nothing wrong with us. We just struggle to adapt to a world that isn't made for us, and when people try to help us, try to make the world a little more compatible with us, that helps far more, in my opinion, than trying to cure us.
Beautifully put! People forget how 'disabling' and 'abling' different terminology can be. I put the question to my friend. Instead of asking people if they want to see/hear 'normally', (or worse, telling them that they should), if some people started to see infrared and ultra-violet light as 'the norm', would you want to be 'fixed' so that you could see the same?
Growing up I always said I would not want my vision corrected, but since a couple years ago I've been in the mindset that if the option arose and wasn't too risky I would take it. However, I am perfectly fine and happy with the way my vision is now even though it is about 20 1200. I do not see my visual impairment as a problem, not at all. There are some things I wish I would be able to see, like my future kids faces, but my vision is still not a problem. Honestly, I think of it more as a blessing than a curse or problem.
I had a customer, probably 17, with this come up to the register at where I work. It startled me because I thought they were about to have a seizure due to eye twitches. I rang them up normally, but having epilepsy myself, I just got paranoid into thinking, "My eyes do that right when I'm about to have one, I hope theyre okay." I'm glad I found this channel from Tommy edison! :). When I have a blind customer, I usually know how to accommodate. I think the world needs to be more aware at disabilities such as these to accomodate.
THIS is freaking RIGHT ON. I’m deaf_blind and am writing to you with my Braille display (focus 40 blue). Your point is so well thought out and I hope as many people SEE this video and finally get it. I was born this way and I am a better person because of all my struggle I’ve had to overcome and everything I deal with actually teaches me something new and amazing every day. I don’t know what normal sight and hearing is like but I feel that my world is so much more rewarding and richer the way it is. Everything means more to me. Everyday I learn to try more,do more, to problem solve better and technological advances have been amazing in this process of learning to engage with the world. I just accept myself as I am. Not a “problem to be fixed”. Have an amazing day my friend and thank you for your wonderful work. ! 😎
Well said! I'm proud and I wouldn't change anything. It took me a long time to get there though and it's hard won. I've also been around a lot of supportive people which is helpful in finding that confidence.
I myselve have physical "limitations" (as my doctors like to call it) meaning i have a genetic defect that makes my spine and knees (someday maybe even every joint in my body whatsoever) bone up... or rather the articular cartilage transphorm into a bonelike tissue. It so far "limits" my back movement and knee movement and gives me chronic pain. But still i don't see it as a problem. It can not be treated because the bones itselve aswell kinda grow over the transphorming tissue and would do the same with titanium or stainless steel joints. I still can live my live without much of a problem. Sure i might have to stop walking stairs after every floor/level but i aswell can use elevators so there is a way around that problem. Sure i can not walk that far outside but for grocery shopping i have a supermarket basically 100 Meters away from my front door so that is no problem. Or i could order my groceries and get them delvered for a bit more money. I still can play games and enjoy music and do 99% of what a healthy person can do. I have learned to deal with it. I even don't regulary take painkillers, because i would have to take opiates to get rid of the pain and that is not up to debate for me because i know how hard it is to go through withdrawal because i have a drug history with synthetic drugs (3 years clean now :-) ) and if i take painkillers (about every 6 to 8 weeks i guess) i use medical canabis in small dosage. I decided for myselve that i only use it if the pain and muscle tensness gets too much and stops me from being able to sleep. Long story short... it only becomes a problem if you let it be one. Greetings and wellwishes. Ps: Sorry for my potentially terrible english but i natively am from germany so i still have to learn alot about english vocabulary and grammar. And sorry if this is hard to read because of the way i wrote it.
Hi. So, I have an auditory impairment but I do have hearing aids which helps a lot. Unfortunately, I am not covered anymore for the hearing aids if something happens to them or the batteries, which they run on, by the government since I have turned 18 (I live in Canada by the way). However, if, by any chance, I could get a surgery that would "fix" my auditory system in order to hear like a normal person without the hearing aids, I would definitely take the surgery, that is if they had a significant success rate, because why would I want to spend money on the batteries and such?
interesting perspective. but i disagree. I have an "impairment" and you said the definition of problem isnt what you have. but the definition of impairment describes our conditions. i do enjoy your view, and no i dont really think what i have defines me. but its a common theme; like having a personality trait. Some are better than others. Our world is built for the standard man. i enjoy subtitles or closed captions in my media, some find it horribly distracting.
i had to reread your response to really understand it. i think i know what you mean. We take what we can, to aid us. like your tech devices. or captioning for me. or a paralyzed person confined to a mechanical chair. there really isnt a cure we can just take. of course would be willing to take drastic measure like lets say a cyber enhancement haha. i wouldnt do that either, but restaurants shouldnt view disabilities like this as a problem. braille or large font menus ie
I think this is an interesting example of how the wider meaning and connotations of words is important over and above their "intended" meaning in a particular circumstance. One might say they only intend to refer to blindness when stating you have a visual problem, but the word inherently has more meaning, and it may mean different things depending on the listener. This also illustrates why changing language upon request can be good. It is not censorship or a violation of free speech. Meeting such a request is often morally worthwhile even though it is not legally obliged.
I am hyper-sensitive, which in my case means, that I get tickled by everything, for example my clothes. It makes me a hard time when I want to cuddle with sb, or if the doctor's inspecting me. My mom always wants to treat "my illness", but it's a part of me, I don't want to change it!
Very informative I never saw it this way but it makes total sense I would hate for someone to tell me I had to fix something about myself because they deem it a "problem" keep up the videos I'm a new subscriber and I really enjoy listening to your point of view
Hi James, you right. You are perfect for who you are. You dont have to be fixed. People have to take for who you are. And people who doesnt they have a real problem. Love sabrina
I find people don't know how to relate to me. They tend to shy away and not interact. At times treat me as if I'm not there. I understand they really don't know what to do and not met as a slight.
Interesting James . I have had conditions treated with surgery and now they are doing better. my vision has gotten worse and I have been question like"you said were better" fun and games
I wish i didn't have to say it cuz, ppl will pick on & bullie me about it but, i was born different 😔 i can't explain but, i never felt i belonged in a world that I all live in cuz, i got some or mild disabilities. My bf helps me overcome obstacles but, it always difficult to try & do it on my own, @ times. I do have dyslexia & it hurts me most when, ppl cuss me out or try to correct me or tell me if i'm a kindergardener. Stop! Please.... Okie I get it. I reallie do. Just ppl don't have to bring it up, all the time!😢🙈 i don't have friends never had any h i don't wan any i was lied to by one girl & i've never trusted, ANYONE to b my friend, since.😢🙈
I have multiple impairments and view some of them as things I'd like to fix and others as things that just make me different/my experience of the world different. Things like specific learning difficulties I wouldn't change as they're just a part of me. It's actually chronic illness things I wish I'd be able to change, but I don't know if I would if they were less severe? My illness means my world is very restricted (to one bed in one room for years) and there's not much I can do about that except try a few alternative health things to try and improve it. If I could I would 'fix' that in a heartbeat, but that's because there's nothing I can do to stop this being a thing or improve it enough for my quality of life to be better. When something goes can be accommodated for it bothers me much less. For example I'm not really scared of potentially never being able to walk again. There are decent powerchairs these days and once I am well enough to be out of bed those would be fine. I'd be frustrated at not being able to get in to certain buildings and housing but that's an external problem. To think of it in social model of disability terms, that's society disabling me. But then again I also believe the social model of disability can be applied to my chronic illnesses in the sense that society had decided that my illness isn't worthy of research funding, drs have negative attitudes about it, there's a lot of social stigma and all of these things disable me. So I try and see the problem with my impairments as being an external problem except that with my mobility impairments and Neuro diversity its about society making accommodations such as ramps, and being accommodating of how some brains work differently; my chronic illness it's about needing society to value my health enough to find treatments that will help me and to make them available to everyone, not just those who can afford it. I do feel like I live between two worlds because the disabled community in the UK is very much social model of disability and 'we don't need to be fixed' where as the chronic illness specific communities I'm in seem to be more about finding a cure, treatment etc.
This is a great description of the medical model or disability compared to the social model. The medical model sees disability as a medical problem that limits someone's life, the social model sees disability as the world not being accessible which is what disables someone, its why the majorly of people in the U.K. say disabled person not person with a disability because it's felt that lack of access and the non disabled society we live in is what disables people not their problem/ impairment/ illness/ body
I personally would and plan on being"cured" from my visually impairment. Maybe I'm just not at the stage where I have acceptance with my vision even though I've had it my entire life I just know it's not meant for my life. I don't know how to explain it but I'm a sighted person at heart lol. I still have sight and I rely on it for mobility even when maybe I should carry a cane. But for me I don't think of it as a problem it's just my life. I know nothing different but I'll never give up on trying to fix it either.
Thank you for taking the time to look up VS (Visual Snow). Many people have a hard time believing this form of "visual disturbance" really exists. There are so many of us out there with various forms of visual impairments and it's hard for those who "see normal" to understand people can see differently than what is perceived as "normal."
no I don't want my vision to be fixed because its not a thing is be fixed wat needed to be fixed is people who see d world differemtly compare themselves WD me I want to stand as an example dat if I see things differently it dose not means dat I hv a problem I m just different from others n so plz let me live my life differently
Well, yes and no. I've always been legally blind. There are ways I'm well adapted, but there are things I can't do either, which sighted people can do. And I'd love to be able to do those things for myself, without having to ask someone else, to wait, to pay extra, to have friends forget, and so on. I wish I could just get in a car and drive. I wish I could see things easily, like most people. I wish some things weren't such a pain in the rear to get done. I wish there wasn't the hassle with so much. I'm proud of what I can do. I am not as limited as some people think. -- Fixing it: I've had vision loss from a couple of issues. I'm awaiting the chance to find if one of those can be corrected. It would only restore my vision to my previous level, still legally blind, but that's OK. It's very unlikely there will be a fix for my sight in my lifetime. (The underlying condition, the original lack of or damage to development.) If there were a fix, I'd try it on one eye, then the other, if it was a good solution. Because I'd like to see properly and be able to do more on my own and enjoy life more. -- I grew up with this. So I know, deep down, what it's like to have good days and bad days, and how tough that can be, growing up so different. I wish I could take away some of that feeling of isolation and heartache that is a common part of growing up handicapped, or living as an adult with it. But this is who I am. it's part of me. If I had not grown up with my sight like this, I don't know what I'd be like, but I think I would still be basically me. So I get both sides of it, I think.
Someone asked me a few weeks ago if the term "visually impaired" was offensive. It's supposed to be the correct and more inclusive term for the blind and people with other sight issues. Funny how that is PC, whereas people with hearing issues find "hearing impaired offensive, so deaf or hard of hearing being the pc terms. Sometimes if using the word visually impaired I'm just not sure people understand what it means. And if we add the terms used in other countries, like partially sighted, registered blind, i can imagine it gets confusing to nearly everyone. So use words that describe it and that people can understand. Often in the "gray area" it can get frustrating trying to explain, especially when on some days or situations you have some usable sight and on others none. Or people get scared, angry, or all weird if you try to just tell you don't see something :( my sight can't also be corrected to be measured in the usual 20/x or visual fields or whatnot. And i don't care - as it has its upsides too. Even when it makes me scream "make things accessible, i can't use that thing". It's also a bit like we lived in a bubble where everyone is supposed to have the eyes of a 17 year old. Small print everywhere, lots of visuals and clutter everywhere, and lots of touch surface controls without bumps or audio, and lots of crosswalks without painted lines and any audio cues. So much to do for making the world a more accessible place. :)
I'm autistic and yes, it's not a problem. It can cause problems, but it's not a problem itself. And in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man wouldn't be king. He'd just be someone who see things differently from the people around him.
In the land of the blind, he would have information and knowledge others would not. That is the core of the saying. Also if your autism is the root of your problems, then it is a problem, but it is not a problem you can't live with, neither does it make you any less of a person than anybody else. We are not our flaws, but our flaws are a part of us.
although I do respect you in saying it is not a visionproblem, in my personal opinion in a perfect and honest world blindness to me is having no vision what so ever
Just about the only ''problem'' is the societal expectation to fit into a box. Society (and the government for that matter) expects everyone to live in a certain type of dwelling, have a standard 8-5 job they hate, support a few mainstream political ideologies, constantly fight over things like sports teams race and nationality, worship and refrain from questioning the powers that be, etc. Now, there's a few accommodations that have been made, like ramps and wide corridors in public buildings for accessibility by wheelchair bound people, but for disabilities that are less obvious, society remains immured in a particular mindset. A mindset that expects everyone to be the same. For example, there have been (and continue to be) instances where people with certain disabilities have been denied access to and trespassed from [sometimes culminating in arrests and stints in jail ] publically accessible government facilities like city halls, courthouses and libraries just because those people use certain assistive devices, particularly the devices that barring medical exemption, judge's orders, etc are prohibited like sunglasses and cameras. Mike from the channel "Blind Justice'' is one that regularly faces such discriminatory treatment.
I say the same thing about blindness. That if I ever got blind I would go all lengths to get it fixed if it was possible because I am not used to it. Until Tommy Edison's videos I thought that it would be amazing for someone blind to be able to see again or see in general if one was born blind like himself. But after hearing what he had to say on the matter, I agree with you and everyone else. I can try to explain to you how we sighted people function. We can see a car in the distance and know that we can cross the road without being hit. You can probably do the same by listening to the traffic. But one thing is for sure.... seeing does not help me from bumping into things, and that is probably because I take sight for granted and I use glasses aswell to help me see better. Funny enough, haha. But if I got the choice to experience being blind for a week, I would totally do it. I could easily do it aswell by putting a cloth infront of my eyes. Actually I am willing to do the experiment. We even tried it in school once. Going up and down stairs, someone was leading us, and I have next lvl trust issues aswell. Not saying this just to sound cool and supportive on the internet. I feel that it would help people like myself to "see" how it is for a blind person to live. If you had a chance to try seeing for a day or a week, would you do it? as long as it went back to normal whenever you wanted to? I know you do not want sight because that would be weird to you, but would you just for experience?
i whole heartily agree with you my parents pray for my vision to let better and i keep on telling them i’m great the way i am sheesh i drives me nuts and people stop me and tell me ow you pout thing i’ll pray for you strangers even my god
I always wonder what people think of this because...I usually say I have "hearing problem" or "knee problems" and am not really offended or anything if others say the same about me. There are some terminology that pretty much a whole community considers bad and don't say but I guess then what do we do with something like this where a lot of people don't find issue in it and like I personally wouldn't correct someone if they say it but it could sort of subconsciously reinforce these negative thoughts in abled people? I don't think I really expect an answer but it's something I think about a lot, especially talking to other disabled/LGBT people because even though I'm a part of those communities I don't even know the half of what is considered offensive by at least a portion of the community
Love It Bro. Me, 97% of my Optic Nerve died before I was born. My eyes work fine, but I'm taking in ALL the visual data using a Dial Up Optic nerve. No one knows what I can see or not see. I don't know the difference. #HowIseeIt
As a special Ed teacher, I often search for ways to allow my students as much participation in the general education as possible. This requires accommodation! Not separation. Thanks for the videos!
hi, not really related to the topic but i got something i wanted to ask. I don't know if it is too personal but can you tell if the condition affected your relationships differently? Does it influence on how attracted you are by a certain person? can you tell when a certain person sees you differently because of the condition? Or when someone is flirting with you? I don't know if i'm sounding ignorant but i'm just curious, you are really cute by the way...
I am Deaf, for me, I don't consider it a problem, but I do get annoyed or sad when people don't accommodate me. When that happens, I try my best to educate them. I hate the word hearing impaired, and I would never want my Deafness to be fixed
I may be seen as somewhat insensitive here, but I think both you and many of the commentators here are using flawed logic. You claim that you don't have a problem, but then immediately says that "technology has enabled you to accommodate your lifestyle." that is a clear example of fixing a problem or rather solving it in a way, that it isn't a hindrance anymore. So you do have a vision problem and fortunately we have some tools that can help you with that. You said it yourself, that we deal with problems everyday, so there is nothing inherently bad about having a problem. I think it is much more good for a person to acknowledge the flaws they have, rather than trying to deny or reduce them. You are not your flaws, but they are part of you.
So its not a problem when other people accommodate your impairment. But when you are independent you then have a problem? Im sorry to say this but that is a problem.
I'm legally blind and I really enjoyed your video. However, I hate the word disabled. I prefer to call myself illegally blind...makes me feel like my dull and boring life is a bit spiced up or something LOL. Thanks for your videos. They are great!
Chris_OG it's not a vision thing that you can prescribe glasses for. Do research on optometry. Imagine you're vision is a boat on land. Some other person who has glasses is a boat on land with a hole in it that's patched up with some wood or something. His is a boat in water. A patch of wood won't put him on land. A blind person's is a boat that sank.
That was a really weird analogy, I don't really think it conveys the meaning well or truly at all. The boat on land with the hole doesn't need patching since it is on land. His boats problem is that it is sinking (which also give the false impression of him turning blind), yet the goal seems to be getting on land. The core of it is, that there are some problems that can easily be fixed, like if you are seeing out of focus you put on glasses that changes that focus to the normal one. But if your disability isn't focus oriented you can't fix it with glasses. Think of glasses like a tool. A tool only works for specific things and are useless for others. To think that vision impairment can always be fixed with glasses, would be like thinking that you can always use a hammer when working with wood, regardless if it needs hammering or sawing.
Unfortunately you see the word "problems" entirely different than a lot of others. People say they have money "problems" implying it is temporary and can be fixed. The same could be said for your vision. I'm graduating from a biomedical program this semester, and what may not be a problem for you might be a problem for someone else. Society has limited means to accommodate all people, whether or not they think they have a problem, and coming from a scientist, sometimes it is cheaper, easier, and measurably better to fix a "problem" in people who want it than make accommodates for every disability at every location on the planet.
We're all an inconvenience to someone in our lives and anyone who thinks they aren't is a sociopath obsessed with their own sovereignty. I also don't get to test all my products before I buy them to see if they suit my needs perfectly. Caveat emptor. Buyers remorse and blindness are two separate issues, and nobody gets free samples when there are no free samples, and everyone gets free samples when there are free samples... So you're entire argument sounds bogus to me. Obviously denying someone service for using their phone is insanity, and doesn't really have much to do with being blind, and denying someone service because they are blind is illegal and you need to stand up for yourself just like everyone else has to stand up for themselves. The truth may be you have as much a problem standing up for your rights as you do vision problems. I have worked with countless people with disabilities and accommodated them tremendously, but I also don't think they deserve any more accommodation than what is necessary regardless of how much they cry, complain, and pretend they're incapable. The first time I tried anything I failed, and I'm not gonna accommodate someone before they've tried the hard way if it seems at all possible for them to adapt... That's probably a good way to approach our capitalist society in the USA... Don't wait for people to accommodate you -- just continue to adapt. I wish we lived in a socialist utopia where everyone was nice and we all accommodated each other, but we fucking don't...
+Matthew Cecil Firstly, how do you know if they've tried the hard way first? Maybe they tried it that way many times for several years, decided that it wasn't working, and haven't tried it in several years because none of the reasons it doesn't work have changed. Just because you haven't seen them try it doesn't mean that they haven't. Secondly, would you be willing to jump out a third story window and try to fly? How about try eating dog poop? How do you know you won't be able to do it and like it if you don't try it? I'm not going to put my safety at risk or do something that causes me severe discomfort, just to prove that I'm not one of the 'bad disabled whiners'.
Again, biomedical program. You can eat dog shit for all I care, but I'm well educated on what people can and cannot do as well as the mechanisms that prevent them from doing something. I'm not gonna force a person with celiac disease eat certain foods. and I would accommodate someone with a known or unknown disease, but people pretending to have gluten allergies can eat dog shit with you...
Nice video. Im from tommy edisons channel. I subscribed
I totally agree with this! Deaf here, and many of us don't call ourselves disabled even though we technically are. We're simply Deaf, or hard of hearing, or whatever label people choose. Many of us don't see anything wrong with ourselves, and see it as society's "problem" for not being able to communicate with us (which isn't even that hard!). Besides, why would I want to be "fixed" if I've never experienced what it's like to be "normal"? This is a way of life for me, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
that's so true
+Am I Alive ? Your interrogative username with your smiling emoji and your serious affirmative comment are so confusing all together 😂
pieulpe haha :P
That's sooo true @Rogan
I really love the way you presented this! I've found that dealing with "disabilities" can be difficult but it's all in the way you handle it. I have Myoclonic Epilepsy and am unable to drive for a while, but having a positive outlook is what has helped me for years. You're doing a wonderful job and your videos are great! I hope that your videos can continue to help people!
yes!! just like the term hearing impaired, deaf people usually find it offensive, we do not need to be fixed we just need you to be aware and maybe learn some sign. no problem there whatsoever xxx
I can think of a problem, struggle, issue that I face everyday. I was raised around and love cars. My icon is a picture of cars. Being told I can't drive is something that I'm strapped with everyday. I live in a rural area where the nearest bus stop is four miles away. I dream of being a truck driver but I can't do that due to my vision. People want me and people with disabilities to be independent. Think for a minute, what is the meaning of independence? The lack of relying on people, yet there is a majority of people who don't want self driving cars nor do they support stem cell research that may lead to help in the correction of people's afflictions
Kingsize Customs
Totally agree❤️
Sometimes I believe everyone in society wants and praises upon other people. This may simply be because we can't do as much without a lot of help.
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This does make me very upset because sometimes everyone with vision impairments might need that extra support. So do other people with other disabilities.
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There are people who just do not understand. Hey she can't do this because of a Vision Impairment, or the other person might thinks it's because of the other person being lazy.
Dude, i just started watching you and I love everything you're talking about but my favorite part of your channel is how the mass amount of people that you respond to in the comments. You're awesome!! Keep it up James.
Hello! I'm "disabled" due to a disease, MS, but actually I'm totally able to do everything, in my own way. I am a latina from Guatemala trying to make people see that people with disabilities are totally capable. I love your videos and Annie Elainey's videos! You guys motivated me to start this. Hope I can meet you awesome people one day!
I'm blind and I'm proud of my self and I don't want to change that people always see my blindess as a problem and I don't see it like that and they tell me a lot that I should have a cure and I don't want a cure I used to my life with my blindess. Thank you for this video.
Blind Me how did write this
There are other blind vloggers on UA-cam who have explained voice over; you can learn to type blind (in fact I am doing so at the moment - ever noticed the two bumps on the F and J keys? They're so you know where to place your index fingers and don't accidentally "get lost" ;) ) And of course old fashioned (seldomly used these days) you could always ask a friend or someone else to type for you.
There are so many options...
Other peoples reactions to me was and still is, always my *problem*, not the way I was or am. My dad used
to ask me about my friends when I want to a VI college, he used to say, do they have *problems* too??
I always felt embarrassed when he said that, and as though it was an offence, like it *was* a *problem*.
I just want to let you know, that I admire you so much for putting your experience and opinion out there, and for taking the time to make your videos. I think that your are incredibly brave and admirable for being honest and for trying to help others to understand.
You inspire me very much, and I hope that you feel worthy in your truth and in your experience no matter what from others, because you are.
Thank you so much for your videos and for helping others to feel less alone.
x
This is motivational to think about. If you have a "problem" you cannot fix, it's not a problem by definition. I never thought about that.
The problem is how you relate to it. If you go blind and struggle with dealing with life as a consequence, that's a problem, because it's something you can fix. You can learn to get back the quality of life, even get a better quality of life and live a better life. That's completely possible.
But if you go blind, there's nothing you can do to fix it. Treating it as a problem will be very counter-productive.
This goes for absolutely everything in our lives. Everyone should learn from this, if they are struggling with something they really cannot fix anyway. You got autism? Not a problem. You've gone bald? Not a problem. You got down syndrome? Not a problem. You got tiny tits? Not a problem. You got an ugly face? Not a problem. You missing a leg? Not a problem. You got a low IQ? Not a problem. You got a small dick? Not a problem.
Yeah, this makes sense. It's actually a relief thinking about the world this way. Absolutely everyone has something they are worried about, spend energy thinking about, but cannot really fix. So it's a waste of energy.
I'm not saying it's easy to stop focusing on something you've been feeling bad about for some time, it's pretty difficult. But it's a relief to understand the difference between a problem and a disadvantage.
All problems are disadvantages, but not all disadvantages are problems.
Myself I have been struggling with anxiety issues and panic attacks for the last three and a half years after a mental breakdown. But I always try to see it as a challenge, and not a problem. It's something I can grow and learn from. In the long term, it's something that can enhance my quality of life. I'm certain if I had not had this attitude I would have been stuck down that well of suffering still, because the gods know I was really suffering when the whole world collapsed. But now, I can say my life is mostly good. Certainly better. Improving every day. I've learned a lot. I'm a different man now. It's not a problem. I'm not afraid of a challenge.
Great video. So interesting to hear your point of view on this. Only bad thing is that you can't see what a beautiful man you are 😊 I don't have a disability but I don't think it should be called a problem if you do, especially if you don't know any different. You live with what you were given and that's how it is.
This really spoke to me, I don't have any visual impairments that cant be fixed easily with glasses, but this philosophy can be applied in so many different areas.
We seem to get so bogged down in thinking we have so many "problems" when in fact we really don't and shouldn't dwell on our imperfections.
You are a truly inspiring person and I am so glad I came across your channel. I know you probably wont read this comment but if you do, thanks
James Rath you're awesome!
I was snapping for you all over the place! Fab video!
I'm legally blind and I sure as hell wish I could "fix" it... maybe you've reached zen before me :P I'm glad I found your channel
Ive had muscular dystrophy since I was born and I've been blessed to have people that care about me and like me the way I am. I have a great family, amazing friends, and a beautiful girlfriend. All who love me just how I am. Being blind or having impaired vision seems much more of a struggle I don't want to take anything away from you, but Never in my life have I felt like I have a problem. Or something that needs to be fixed. So I totally understand what you're saying. God gives everybody wings. He just sorta clipped ours a little bit, but as long as we can still fly it's all good.
I have transverse myelitis and I have some nerve damage and trouble walking. I mostly get around on basic forearm crutches outside of work and my home that are used for balance more than anything else. I can essentially do what most able bodied people can do, aside from run, lift heavy things or do sports and whatnot.
Though my disability is visible, it doesn't hold me back from accomplishing my goals. The accommodations I do need are often met, and I'm very fortunate in that sense. And though there is no cure for me, my disability still causes people to respond to me in ways that do get in the way of my personal happiness and success at times. Work, interviews, sex, relationships, etc. all are more difficult because of how people treat my disability.
It's not fair that people treat me like this, and it's not my fault that they do. Often times I don't let it get to me, it's a reality I live with so I make the best of it. I have developed methods to get people to listen to me, and not be so distracted by my legs. So by definition, my disability isn't a problem, but it's still something I would objectively be better off without.
I don't say this to start a fight or anything either. I did appreciate hearing your viewpoint, even though I only agreed with certain aspects of it.
I'm handicap, I'm in a wheelchair full time and when I was little there was all this pressure to walk, be "normal" by their standards. when I got older I just said I wanted to stop cus I'm much faster in a chair than I ever would be if I were crutches or a walker.
I am intrigued by what you are setting out to accomplish. Taking your perceived weakness and turning it into your actual strength. Truly beautiful man and I am so inspired by what you are doing. Will be keeping up with you for sure and sharing your stuff.
Hey Thanks man!
Pushing myself to do more in 2017. I appreciate it.
If I were presented with a cure for my blindness, I would not take it. I have the power to inspire people when I step out of my house into the sighted world each day. There is so much that I can do with this ability. God made me this way for a reason.
James, I have weird issues with my vision during intense chronic migraines, it's really annoying but really nothing compared to the challenges you face everyday with your vision. It may hurt when someone refers to you in a way that makes you feel broken, but it's very important to constantly seek ways to better your quality of life. Saying that this is not a problem for you and that if a cure was offered, you would reject it seems to be a reaction to maybe feeling offended by something someone said, in this case "Problem". In my opinion this IS a medical problem and trying to solve it may in the future help many people overcome this sight issue and in return possibly live a more fruitful visual experience on Planet Earth . That being said, I really enjoy your content! keep it up man.
Tommy brought me here!! I love your guy's video's! you guy's are really uplifting and motivational!!!
I always have said I’m legally blind or visually impaired. My blindness is caused by Keratoconus, I lost the ability to wear contacts and glasses when I was diagnosed at 21 yrs old. I was in college, living my life, going out and having fun with my family and friends. After my diagnosis, I fell into a deep depression that I feel like I’m barely climbing out of 20 years later. Your videos are so inspiring. I found out about you through iJustine’s video on her Air Tags. You’ve inspired me to start back up with my channel or create an entirely new one and hopefully I’ll be able to earn a living sharing my story and experiences. 🙏🏻🤞🏻
Thank you!!
Thanks for the kind words!! Have fun with it!
@MissSerendipitty22 - Have you really lost your ability to wear contacts and glasses? There's certain assistive devices that can be used in conjunction with standard glasses, like telescopic lenses.
Came over from Tommy's channel, you are a very intelligent guy and I enjoyed listening to you talk about this. Subscribed and I'm looking forward to seeing more videos :)
Morkus same. I just got here and now I am subscribed.
I have Visual Snow Syndrome. I have had it all 14 years of my life. Up until 6 months ago I thought that was normal. I can live with it but I would love for it to be fixed. It makes it hard to see at times, expecially in the dark. I would also like to see clearly. Sadly research is very minimal as barely anyone knows it exists. Here is a link to a website where you can see what visual snow looks like. I'm about a 30 and a 4. You can only view it on a computer. visionsimulations.com/simulators/visual-snow
It is a very unknown syndrome. It took forever to be diagnosed. Most doctors have never heard of it. Thankfully we found one who knew about it!
Omg thank u so much i have thisss and omg plz inbox
Great explaination.
I once heard a person describe autism this way. They explained that they are not broken, they are DIFFERENT, and these differences may have diaadvantages but this does not make it a problem. To paraphrase the person:
"If a fish is out of water and struggles to breath, you do not try to fix the fish, you fix its environment; you put it in water."
Things such as blindness, legal blindness, and other disabilities... it's just different. Not bad. We live in a sighted world, so that can be hard. But there is nothing wrong with us. We just struggle to adapt to a world that isn't made for us, and when people try to help us, try to make the world a little more compatible with us, that helps far more, in my opinion, than trying to cure us.
Beautifully put! People forget how 'disabling' and 'abling' different terminology can be.
I put the question to my friend. Instead of asking people if they want to see/hear 'normally', (or worse, telling them that they should), if some people started to see infrared and ultra-violet light as 'the norm', would you want to be 'fixed' so that you could see the same?
Growing up I always said I would not want my vision corrected, but since a couple years ago I've been in the mindset that if the option arose and wasn't too risky I would take it. However, I am perfectly fine and happy with the way my vision is now even though it is about 20 1200. I do not see my visual impairment as a problem, not at all. There are some things I wish I would be able to see, like my future kids faces, but my vision is still not a problem. Honestly, I think of it more as a blessing than a curse or problem.
I had a customer, probably 17, with this come up to the register at where I work. It startled me because I thought they were about to have a seizure due to eye twitches. I rang them up normally, but having epilepsy myself, I just got paranoid into thinking, "My eyes do that right when I'm about to have one, I hope theyre okay." I'm glad I found this channel from Tommy edison! :). When I have a blind customer, I usually know how to accommodate. I think the world needs to be more aware at disabilities such as these to accomodate.
THIS is freaking RIGHT ON. I’m deaf_blind and am writing to you with my Braille display (focus 40 blue). Your point is so well thought out and I hope as many people SEE this video and finally get it. I was born this way and I am a better person because of all my struggle I’ve had to overcome and everything I deal with actually teaches me something new and amazing every day. I don’t know what normal sight and hearing is like but I feel that my world is so much more rewarding and richer the way it is. Everything means more to me. Everyday I learn to try more,do more, to problem solve better and technological advances have been amazing in this process of learning to engage with the world. I just accept myself as I am. Not a “problem to be fixed”. Have an amazing day my friend and thank you for your wonderful work. ! 😎
Well said! I'm proud and I wouldn't change anything. It took me a long time to get there though and it's hard won. I've also been around a lot of supportive people which is helpful in finding that confidence.
I myselve have physical "limitations" (as my doctors like to call it) meaning i have a genetic defect that makes my spine and knees (someday maybe even every joint in my body whatsoever) bone up... or rather the
articular cartilage transphorm into a bonelike tissue. It so far "limits" my back movement and knee movement and gives me chronic pain. But still i don't see it as a problem. It can not be treated because the bones itselve aswell kinda grow over the transphorming tissue and would do the same with titanium or stainless steel joints. I still can live my live without much of a problem. Sure i might have to stop walking stairs after every floor/level but i aswell can use elevators so there is a way around that problem. Sure i can not walk that far outside but for grocery shopping i have a supermarket basically 100 Meters away from my front door so that is no problem. Or i could order my groceries and get them delvered for a bit more money. I still can play games and enjoy music and do 99% of what a healthy person can do. I have learned to deal with it. I even don't regulary take painkillers, because i would have to take opiates to get rid of the pain and that is not up to debate for me because i know how hard it is to go through withdrawal because i have a drug history with synthetic drugs (3 years clean now :-) ) and if i take painkillers (about every 6 to 8 weeks i guess) i use medical canabis in small dosage. I decided for myselve that i only use it if the pain and muscle tensness gets too much and stops me from being able to sleep.
Long story short... it only becomes a problem if you let it be one.
Greetings and wellwishes.
Ps: Sorry for my potentially terrible english but i natively am from germany so i still have to learn alot about english vocabulary and grammar. And sorry if this is hard to read because of the way i wrote it.
I don't have vision problems.... I just don't have enough vision to drive a car!
I love listening to your perspective. It makes me appreciate the things I take for granted everyday
i just started watching your videos and i really enjoy them! they're informative but entertaining at the same time. and you're cute so that's cool
Hi. So, I have an auditory impairment but I do have hearing aids which helps a lot. Unfortunately, I am not covered anymore for the hearing aids if something happens to them or the batteries, which they run on, by the government since I have turned 18 (I live in Canada by the way). However, if, by any chance, I could get a surgery that would "fix" my auditory system in order to hear like a normal person without the hearing aids, I would definitely take the surgery, that is if they had a significant success rate, because why would I want to spend money on the batteries and such?
interesting perspective. but i disagree. I have an "impairment" and you said the definition of problem isnt what you have. but the definition of impairment describes our conditions.
i do enjoy your view, and no i dont really think what i have defines me. but its a common theme; like having a personality trait. Some are better than others.
Our world is built for the standard man. i enjoy subtitles or closed captions in my media, some find it horribly distracting.
i had to reread your response to really understand it. i think i know what you mean.
We take what we can, to aid us. like your tech devices. or captioning for me. or a paralyzed person confined to a mechanical chair. there really isnt a cure we can just take. of course would be willing to take drastic measure like lets say a cyber enhancement haha. i wouldnt do that either, but restaurants shouldnt view disabilities like this as a problem. braille or large font menus ie
love your videos!-- greetings from Italy 😊
I think this is an interesting example of how the wider meaning and connotations of words is important over and above their "intended" meaning in a particular circumstance. One might say they only intend to refer to blindness when stating you have a visual problem, but the word inherently has more meaning, and it may mean different things depending on the listener. This also illustrates why changing language upon request can be good. It is not censorship or a violation of free speech. Meeting such a request is often morally worthwhile even though it is not legally obliged.
I am hyper-sensitive, which in my case means, that I get tickled by everything, for example my clothes. It makes me a hard time when I want to cuddle with sb, or if the doctor's inspecting me. My mom always wants to treat "my illness", but it's a part of me, I don't want to change it!
I've never heard it worded that way before. I really like your perspective. It's got me thinking a little differently. Thank you :-)
You're an inspiration! Keep up the good work and videos
Very informative I never saw it this way but it makes total sense I would hate for someone to tell me I had to fix something about myself because they deem it a "problem" keep up the videos I'm a new subscriber and I really enjoy listening to your point of view
This was very formative James. You are very insightful. Hope you have a wonderful Holidays. We should catch up soon when your free. :-)
TJ Malana Was that pun intended
Hi James, you right. You are perfect for who you are. You dont have to be fixed. People have to take for who you are. And people who doesnt they have a real problem. Love sabrina
I find people don't know how to relate to me. They tend to shy away and not interact. At times treat me as if I'm not there. I understand they really don't know what to do and not met as a slight.
well that's the exact definition of a problem right there you can't see and you have to overcome it
His "condition" is (as he saied) non treatable so ther is no way for him to "overcome" it.
on the other hand,its good that you told the truth james
Interesting James . I have had conditions treated with surgery and now they are doing better. my vision has gotten worse and I have been question like"you said were better" fun and games
I wish i didn't have to say it cuz, ppl will pick on & bullie me about it but, i was born different 😔 i can't explain but, i never felt i belonged in a world that I all live in cuz, i got some or mild disabilities. My bf helps me overcome obstacles but, it always difficult to try & do it on my own, @ times. I do have dyslexia & it hurts me most when, ppl cuss me out or try to correct me or tell me if i'm a kindergardener. Stop! Please.... Okie I get it. I reallie do. Just ppl don't have to bring it up, all the time!😢🙈 i don't have friends never had any h i don't wan any i was lied to by one girl & i've never trusted, ANYONE to b my friend, since.😢🙈
You write better than some with dyslexia (and I had to look at your post 'cause I wasn't sure how to spell it...) - don't give up! You're so strong!
I have multiple impairments and view some of them as things I'd like to fix and others as things that just make me different/my experience of the world different. Things like specific learning difficulties I wouldn't change as they're just a part of me. It's actually chronic illness things I wish I'd be able to change, but I don't know if I would if they were less severe? My illness means my world is very restricted (to one bed in one room for years) and there's not much I can do about that except try a few alternative health things to try and improve it. If I could I would 'fix' that in a heartbeat, but that's because there's nothing I can do to stop this being a thing or improve it enough for my quality of life to be better. When something goes can be accommodated for it bothers me much less. For example I'm not really scared of potentially never being able to walk again. There are decent powerchairs these days and once I am well enough to be out of bed those would be fine. I'd be frustrated at not being able to get in to certain buildings and housing but that's an external problem. To think of it in social model of disability terms, that's society disabling me. But then again I also believe the social model of disability can be applied to my chronic illnesses in the sense that society had decided that my illness isn't worthy of research funding, drs have negative attitudes about it, there's a lot of social stigma and all of these things disable me.
So I try and see the problem with my impairments as being an external problem except that with my mobility impairments and Neuro diversity its about society making accommodations such as ramps, and being accommodating of how some brains work differently; my chronic illness it's about needing society to value my health enough to find treatments that will help me and to make them available to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
I do feel like I live between two worlds because the disabled community in the UK is very much social model of disability and 'we don't need to be fixed' where as the chronic illness specific communities I'm in seem to be more about finding a cure, treatment etc.
This is a great description of the medical model or disability compared to the social model. The medical model sees disability as a medical problem that limits someone's life, the social model sees disability as the world not being accessible which is what disables someone, its why the majorly of people in the U.K. say disabled person not person with a disability because it's felt that lack of access and the non disabled society we live in is what disables people not their problem/ impairment/ illness/ body
I personally would and plan on being"cured" from my visually impairment. Maybe I'm just not at the stage where I have acceptance with my vision even though I've had it my entire life I just know it's not meant for my life. I don't know how to explain it but I'm a sighted person at heart lol. I still have sight and I rely on it for mobility even when maybe I should carry a cane. But for me I don't think of it as a problem it's just my life. I know nothing different but I'll never give up on trying to fix it either.
Very interesting. Never thought about that way.
Thank you for this ❤ I have visual snow and can completely relate.
Thank you for taking the time to look up VS (Visual Snow). Many people have a hard time believing this form of "visual disturbance" really exists. There are so many of us out there with various forms of visual impairments and it's hard for those who "see normal" to understand people can see differently than what is perceived as "normal."
Much respect awesome video awesome message.
I agree our sight is not a problem. Thanks for stating it so clearly.
I came from Tommy's channel and I'm glad I got here.
VioletStone100
no I don't want my vision to be fixed because its not a thing is be fixed
wat needed to be fixed is people who see d world differemtly compare themselves WD me
I want to stand as an example dat if I see things differently it dose not means dat I hv a problem
I m just different from others n so plz let me live my life differently
I understand what you're saying. I have a vision problem that's corrected with glasses.
why is he so perfect.
This is true. I love your channel by the way
Well, yes and no. I've always been legally blind. There are ways I'm well adapted, but there are things I can't do either, which sighted people can do. And I'd love to be able to do those things for myself, without having to ask someone else, to wait, to pay extra, to have friends forget, and so on. I wish I could just get in a car and drive. I wish I could see things easily, like most people. I wish some things weren't such a pain in the rear to get done. I wish there wasn't the hassle with so much. I'm proud of what I can do. I am not as limited as some people think. -- Fixing it: I've had vision loss from a couple of issues. I'm awaiting the chance to find if one of those can be corrected. It would only restore my vision to my previous level, still legally blind, but that's OK. It's very unlikely there will be a fix for my sight in my lifetime. (The underlying condition, the original lack of or damage to development.) If there were a fix, I'd try it on one eye, then the other, if it was a good solution. Because I'd like to see properly and be able to do more on my own and enjoy life more. -- I grew up with this. So I know, deep down, what it's like to have good days and bad days, and how tough that can be, growing up so different. I wish I could take away some of that feeling of isolation and heartache that is a common part of growing up handicapped, or living as an adult with it. But this is who I am. it's part of me. If I had not grown up with my sight like this, I don't know what I'd be like, but I think I would still be basically me. So I get both sides of it, I think.
Someone asked me a few weeks ago if the term "visually impaired" was offensive. It's supposed to be the correct and more inclusive term for the blind and people with other sight issues. Funny how that is PC, whereas people with hearing issues find "hearing impaired offensive, so deaf or hard of hearing being the pc terms. Sometimes if using the word visually impaired I'm just not sure people understand what it means. And if we add the terms used in other countries, like partially sighted, registered blind, i can imagine it gets confusing to nearly everyone. So use words that describe it and that people can understand.
Often in the "gray area" it can get frustrating trying to explain, especially when on some days or situations you have some usable sight and on others none. Or people get scared, angry, or all weird if you try to just tell you don't see something :( my sight can't also be corrected to be measured in the usual 20/x or visual fields or whatnot. And i don't care - as it has its upsides too. Even when it makes me scream "make things accessible, i can't use that thing". It's also a bit like we lived in a bubble where everyone is supposed to have the eyes of a 17 year old. Small print everywhere, lots of visuals and clutter everywhere, and lots of touch surface controls without bumps or audio, and lots of crosswalks without painted lines and any audio cues. So much to do for making the world a more accessible place. :)
I'm autistic and yes, it's not a problem. It can cause problems, but it's not a problem itself.
And in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man wouldn't be king. He'd just be someone who see things differently from the people around him.
In the land of the blind, he would have information and knowledge others would not. That is the core of the saying.
Also if your autism is the root of your problems, then it is a problem, but it is not a problem you can't live with, neither does it make you any less of a person than anybody else.
We are not our flaws, but our flaws are a part of us.
Hello James, I was born with Ocular Albinism and can definitely relate to everything said even the light sensitivity.
working on a response video!
Never though that.. I agree with u!
although I do respect you in saying it is not a visionproblem, in my personal opinion in a perfect and honest world blindness to me is having no vision what so ever
I think i'm in love.
Great video! So well said
Just about the only ''problem'' is the societal expectation to fit into a box. Society (and the government for that matter) expects everyone to live in a certain type of dwelling, have a standard 8-5 job they hate, support a few mainstream political ideologies, constantly fight over things like sports teams race and nationality, worship and refrain from questioning the powers that be, etc. Now, there's a few accommodations that have been made, like ramps and wide corridors in public buildings for accessibility by wheelchair bound people, but for disabilities that are less obvious, society remains immured in a particular mindset. A mindset that expects everyone to be the same. For example, there have been (and continue to be) instances where people with certain disabilities have been denied access to and trespassed from [sometimes culminating in arrests and stints in jail ] publically accessible government facilities like city halls, courthouses and libraries just because those people use certain assistive devices, particularly the devices that barring medical exemption, judge's orders, etc are prohibited like sunglasses and cameras. Mike from the channel "Blind Justice'' is one that regularly faces such discriminatory treatment.
I have a visual impairment and if there was a fix for it I wouldn't take it, how does one even function with full vision??
I say the same thing about blindness. That if I ever got blind I would go all lengths to get it fixed if it was possible because I am not used to it. Until Tommy Edison's videos I thought that it would be amazing for someone blind to be able to see again or see in general if one was born blind like himself. But after hearing what he had to say on the matter, I agree with you and everyone else.
I can try to explain to you how we sighted people function. We can see a car in the distance and know that we can cross the road without being hit. You can probably do the same by listening to the traffic.
But one thing is for sure.... seeing does not help me from bumping into things, and that is probably because I take sight for granted and I use glasses aswell to help me see better. Funny enough, haha.
But if I got the choice to experience being blind for a week, I would totally do it. I could easily do it aswell by putting a cloth infront of my eyes. Actually I am willing to do the experiment. We even tried it in school once. Going up and down stairs, someone was leading us, and I have next lvl trust issues aswell.
Not saying this just to sound cool and supportive on the internet. I feel that it would help people like myself to "see" how it is for a blind person to live.
If you had a chance to try seeing for a day or a week, would you do it? as long as it went back to normal whenever you wanted to?
I know you do not want sight because that would be weird to you, but would you just for experience?
I also have a big problem. I stubbed my toe right after I hit my shins with a Razor Scooter (it's a joke don't take it serious)
i whole heartily agree with you my parents pray for my vision to let better and i keep on telling them i’m great the way i am sheesh i drives me nuts and people stop me and tell me ow you pout thing i’ll pray for you strangers even my god
I've been there! Thanks for sharing with me.
I always wonder what people think of this because...I usually say I have "hearing problem" or "knee problems" and am not really offended or anything if others say the same about me. There are some terminology that pretty much a whole community considers bad and don't say but I guess then what do we do with something like this where a lot of people don't find issue in it and like I personally wouldn't correct someone if they say it but it could sort of subconsciously reinforce these negative thoughts in abled people? I don't think I really expect an answer but it's something I think about a lot, especially talking to other disabled/LGBT people because even though I'm a part of those communities I don't even know the half of what is considered offensive by at least a portion of the community
Love It Bro. Me, 97% of my Optic Nerve died before I was born. My eyes work fine, but I'm taking in ALL the visual data using a Dial Up Optic nerve.
No one knows what I can see or not see. I don't know the difference. #HowIseeIt
You opened up my eyes to look at vision impairments in a completely different way.
That is because I am Visually Impaired.
💜❤️💜❤️
Jacqueline
👏👏👍👋👋👍👍👍👍🙌🙌🙌
As a special Ed teacher, I often search for ways to allow my students as much participation in the general education as possible. This requires accommodation! Not separation. Thanks for the videos!
Thanks for sharing!
Nice vid bro. Came from Tommy's channel
question: In the deaf community, saying someone is hearing impaired is highly offensive. IS there any terms like that in the blind community?
hi, not really related to the topic but i got something i wanted to ask. I don't know if it is too personal but can you tell if the condition affected your relationships differently? Does it influence on how attracted you are by a certain person? can you tell when a certain person sees you differently because of the condition? Or when someone is flirting with you? I don't know if i'm sounding ignorant but i'm just curious, you are really cute by the way...
thanks :)
Honestly sounds like sour grapes.
I am Deaf, for me, I don't consider it a problem, but I do get annoyed or sad when people don't accommodate me. When that happens, I try my best to educate them. I hate the word hearing impaired, and I would never want my Deafness to be fixed
Truth!
Oh boy. You are. 👌🏻😍
I may be seen as somewhat insensitive here, but I think both you and many of the commentators here are using flawed logic.
You claim that you don't have a problem, but then immediately says that "technology has enabled you to accommodate your lifestyle." that is a clear example of fixing a problem or rather solving it in a way, that it isn't a hindrance anymore.
So you do have a vision problem and fortunately we have some tools that can help you with that. You said it yourself, that we deal with problems everyday, so there is nothing inherently bad about having a problem.
I think it is much more good for a person to acknowledge the flaws they have, rather than trying to deny or reduce them. You are not your flaws, but they are part of you.
True not a problem but a disability yet not even it is a push of strength
Someone was throwing orange squash at me today
Jaraban huh?
he's so cute
So its not a problem when other people accommodate your impairment. But when you are independent you then have a problem? Im sorry to say this but that is a problem.
Oh ok i completely agree with you now. Thats a complete joke how they treated you.
I'm legally blind and I really enjoyed your video. However, I hate the word disabled. I prefer to call myself illegally blind...makes me feel like my dull and boring life is a bit spiced up or something LOL. Thanks for your videos. They are great!
most likely a dumb question, but why cant glasses simply be prescribed for your vision problems? (i dont know how legally blindness works)
Chris_OG it's not a vision thing that you can prescribe glasses for. Do research on optometry. Imagine you're vision is a boat on land. Some other person who has glasses is a boat on land with a hole in it that's patched up with some wood or something. His is a boat in water. A patch of wood won't put him on land. A blind person's is a boat that sank.
Itz Peca dummb that down a bit for me lol.... or im just being stupid atm
That was a really weird analogy, I don't really think it conveys the meaning well or truly at all. The boat on land with the hole doesn't need patching since it is on land. His boats problem is that it is sinking (which also give the false impression of him turning blind), yet the goal seems to be getting on land.
The core of it is, that there are some problems that can easily be fixed, like if you are seeing out of focus you put on glasses that changes that focus to the normal one. But if your disability isn't focus oriented you can't fix it with glasses.
Think of glasses like a tool. A tool only works for specific things and are useless for others. To think that vision impairment can always be fixed with glasses, would be like thinking that you can always use a hammer when working with wood, regardless if it needs hammering or sawing.
Søren Hougaard Rasmussen I really liked your hammer on wood example, it explains it in a very understandable way. Good one!
Grodman5
I'm glad that it was helpful.
you are so beautiful so much!
no my vision is not a problem it might be impaired yes but I am legally blind
Unfortunately you see the word "problems" entirely different than a lot of others. People say they have money "problems" implying it is temporary and can be fixed. The same could be said for your vision. I'm graduating from a biomedical program this semester, and what may not be a problem for you might be a problem for someone else. Society has limited means to accommodate all people, whether or not they think they have a problem, and coming from a scientist, sometimes it is cheaper, easier, and measurably better to fix a "problem" in people who want it than make accommodates for every disability at every location on the planet.
We're all an inconvenience to someone in our lives and anyone who thinks they aren't is a sociopath obsessed with their own sovereignty. I also don't get to test all my products before I buy them to see if they suit my needs perfectly. Caveat emptor. Buyers remorse and blindness are two separate issues, and nobody gets free samples when there are no free samples, and everyone gets free samples when there are free samples... So you're entire argument sounds bogus to me. Obviously denying someone service for using their phone is insanity, and doesn't really have much to do with being blind, and denying someone service because they are blind is illegal and you need to stand up for yourself just like everyone else has to stand up for themselves. The truth may be you have as much a problem standing up for your rights as you do vision problems.
I have worked with countless people with disabilities and accommodated them tremendously, but I also don't think they deserve any more accommodation than what is necessary regardless of how much they cry, complain, and pretend they're incapable. The first time I tried anything I failed, and I'm not gonna accommodate someone before they've tried the hard way if it seems at all possible for them to adapt... That's probably a good way to approach our capitalist society in the USA... Don't wait for people to accommodate you -- just continue to adapt. I wish we lived in a socialist utopia where everyone was nice and we all accommodated each other, but we fucking don't...
+Matthew Cecil Firstly, how do you know if they've tried the hard way first? Maybe they tried it that way many times for several years, decided that it wasn't working, and haven't tried it in several years because none of the reasons it doesn't work have changed. Just because you haven't seen them try it doesn't mean that they haven't.
Secondly, would you be willing to jump out a third story window and try to fly? How about try eating dog poop? How do you know you won't be able to do it and like it if you don't try it? I'm not going to put my safety at risk or do something that causes me severe discomfort, just to prove that I'm not one of the 'bad disabled whiners'.
Again, biomedical program. You can eat dog shit for all I care, but I'm well educated on what people can and cannot do as well as the mechanisms that prevent them from doing something. I'm not gonna force a person with celiac disease eat certain foods. and I would accommodate someone with a known or unknown disease, but people pretending to have gluten allergies can eat dog shit with you...
Hi James. This is GJ. I am totally blind.
My friends at school help me get around.
click bait
Social model of disability ftw!
Clickbait much?