I try to be thoughtful. Maybe since my eyesight isn’t so good anymore, I should rethink this life policy. Not globally, but for select situations.
For example, isn’t it great when you’re only a few steps after someone, approaching a building entrance, and the person in front of you holds the door for that split-second or two. Eyes connect, a nod of the head, and the transfer of pressing the door rests with you. You glance over a shoulder for people arriving, no one’s there, so you go on your way, releasing the door. Easy, simple, straightforward. Except it’s not with low vision.
I scan. If someone is right there, I endure that awkward transition (for me), but hey, I held the door for someone. A gesture of humanity in these modern times.
Then there’s my favorite situation. The one where I’m holding the door for someone I don’t realize is not there. Environment noises, stray dogs or children, I am duped. I pause until my lovely husband calmly asks me, “Um, what are you waiting for?” I abandon the door to catch up with him.
This door-holding problem–well, it’s not life or death, but it’s kind of a big deal to me. I try to be kind; I don’t want to be labeled a jerk. Wrapped up in habits, I forget I have the visual impairment. I need to work on that.
But, as I’ve come to realize, all I need to do if I shut a door accidentally in a person’s face is turn to him, raise my white cane in a toast of apology and walk away. Who–besides those gangbangers, Dad–will challenge the cane?
I’ll simplify. I’ll adapt to a reality of my disability. Unless I hear a ruckus, I’m going to let that door shut behind me. Tthhhhhhud. Ninjas following me, you’ve been warned.
Adventures in Low Vision 
Reblogged this on Maono Ya Chini and commented:
Loved it. We learn new things about ourselves and out disabilities every day
Thanks for sharing my post.
You are more than welcome 🙂
isn’ t it awkward when you sense someone in front of you and you dont reach for the thinking they will hold it open but it shuts in your face hahaha
Awkward all around!
Door opening is a minefield…sighted or VI!
You got that right, Bridget!
Oh gosh, I totally get it. It’s something I talk about with my husband. How I hate to be considered rude but sometimes it’s not safe for me to be the polite person I naturally am. It’s a hard pill to swallow but in the end we have to do what is safest for ourselves which in turn must surely make it safer for others around us. Sometimes I have moments where I forget that rule and afterwards I realise I just put myself in real potential danger and that is not something to make a habit of. I’m talking beyond opening doors of course, but yes, that alone can be challenging situations! I’m sorry I haven’t commented in a while, I’ve been reading your posts on another computer without my log in details. But here cheering you on quietly on all of them.
Safety before politeness for sure. You are a sister in low vision, Lucent. Thanks 🙂 and, cheering right back at you with your photography!