The First Look: Silence, Fear, and Overwhelming Respect
When people first look at me, many of them freeze. Some become silent, unsure of how to react. Others get overwhelmed and choose not to interact at all. And then there are those who suddenly fill the space with extra respect, calling me a superwoman, as if blindness automatically turns a person into something unreal.
Before they even ask how I manage my daily life, many people assume that I am completely dependent on others. They think I need help with everything—eating food, changing clothes, or doing the smallest tasks. These assumptions come before understanding, and sometimes even before conversation.
Confusion, Pain, and Questions No One Asks Out Loud
When people assume I am helpless, I feel confused. I start wondering: if I cannot see, does that mean my other four senses are useless? Does my mind not work? Sometimes I feel like maybe they are from a different planet—or maybe I am the alien standing among them.
People who know me and understand how I manage my daily life treat me normally. But new people often get confused. Some whisper about me, forgetting that I can hear. Most of those whispers are about how "pretty" I look, how I present myself, how my makeup and hair are noticed—scanned by the unseen eyes of the world.
I know this is not only my story. This is the story of many blind people. Sometimes we laugh and ask ourselves: why do they think we cannot do what they do? Why do we have to explain our existence, as if blindness means being useless?
Superwoman or Misunderstood?
When people call me strong or a superwoman after understanding my life, I take it as a compliment. But when those words come before knowing me, they feel overwhelming. That kind of respect is not empowering—it is another form of misunderstanding.
Assumptions vs. Questions
I believe asking questions is normal. Assuming is not. Questions should be well phrased and respectful so they do not hurt the person being asked. At the same time, blind people should not feel offended by genuine questions, because the way others see the world is different—and the way we experience it is different too. Understanding grows only when both sides are willing to explore.
Love, Survival, and Independence Beyond Sight
Love does not need eyes, and neither does living. In our daily journeys, we have learned to use our other senses. The early days were challenging for all of us—days filled with struggle and fear. But those who decided to trust the power of their brain made a choice to survive, no matter the cost.
Some of us create an impact in society, and at the very least, we learn how to manage our own lives—bathing, cooking, grocery shopping, and living with dignity. Blindness does not erase usefulness. It simply changes the way we function.
A Final Message to Society
Do not measure ability through eyes alone. Independence, intelligence, and worth do not disappear with sight. We are capable—just in different ways.