ABOUT 

So, why am I here?

When you go from relatively normal vision to not, you start to notice what helps and what doesn't. I found this particularly true when traveling. I'd made my first international trip to England in October of 2014, and everything went to shit with my vision by Christmas that year. (Details are in the first blog post.) So, for my next trip there in 2015, the contrast was obvious. 

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The thing is that the differences aren't only in navigating the physical world, but also people's attitudes. (Memphis International, I'm looking at you!) Most of the people I've encountered in airports, planes, and railway stations have been marvelous. That said, because I'm not "blind enough" to have a white cane, some folks just don't believe you. I have what's called an invisible disability. Spoiler alert:  the UK manages this better than the USA, with few exceptions (now I'm looking at you, Heathrow!).

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I've had quite the spectrum of experiences. As I went through them, I thought how what I was going through might be a good heads-up for someone else. Maybe that someone has an invisible disability, as well. Maybe they are planning travel for someone with challenges. Either way, our exchange of experiences and advice can be valuable.

I am certainly not the only one who refuses to throw my hands up in resignation and never venture out into the big, wide world. Perhaps, dear visitor, you are as stubborn as I am! Perhaps you just want or need to know what the experience of a low-vision person is, for planing someone's travel or planning appropriate customer service. We really are all in this together.

I recently saw a teapot at Paddington Station, with the adorable Paddington Bear on it, that said, "If you're kind and polite, the world will be right." That's my goal here. Not making demands. Not cultivating sympathy. I don't want anyone feeling entitlement, resentment or pity.  Empowerment, though? Empathy? That's more the ticket, for everyone involved. See the world through our eyes. Well...so to speak!

May understanding help make the world a little more right.

-- Kristyn, 12 May 2023