TR:
The title of this episode, “The Blind Temptations”, may have you thinking I am announcing my new idea of
touring with four other gentlemen who are blind and singing the classics, like My Girl, Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Just My Imagination.
Notice I didn’t include Ain’t too Proud to Beg in that song list.
Maybe you now have images of the famous Motown group doing their dance routines either while holding white canes or guide dogs.
If so, well you’re stupid!.
[Laughs]
No I’m just kidding! you’re probably just silly!
I’m not really talking about those Temptations.
Before I get into that…
[Audio: temptations…. hold up!]
[Audio: rmmradio Theme]
TR:
The Temptations I am referring to are scary to me.
That’s not something I would ever expect to hear myself say out loud and especially here on my podcast, but it’s true!
Temptations lure a person away from staying on track.
They offer temporary distraction, a fantasy for something that most likely cannot be attained.
For those going through vision loss or any significant life change; these distractions can be much more tempting.
Think of those who experience sudden job elimination that requires a whole new approach to employment while in mid-career.
Confidence levels are down. Self-identities are challenged.
In such examples, many distractions are accepted in our society or at least they’re understood
Think of the classic I just got fired story.
It’s usually the guy working at the factory for years. He shows up at the bar after getting the news. He gets a drink on the house first and then his buddies begin buying rounds.
go ahead, get your drink on, you deserve it. the poor guy!
When it comes to adjusting to blindness, there’s a lowering of the bar that takes place. People expect less from the person experiencing the loss. . More than often, it’s those outside of the immediate family. Some times that could include those inside the personal circle or family and friends.
And then let’s not forget that much of the misunderstanding about blindness and what that means for a person could be inside the individual experiencing the loss. They may now limit themselves. Their expectations are impacted and often that means becoming satisfied with less.
“Well, you can’t work so you will now stay home and listen to your radio all day.”
I felt temptations early on after my own loss. When I realized it, it shook me up.
I was in my mid-thirties. I wouldn’t say I was on my way to becoming CEO or even Manager, but I was growing in my career and
reaching some personal and career goals.
My first reaction to vision loss was to push through.
My sight was basically already gone and I had a surgery scheduled for the end of January, that I knew would leave me permanently blind. Yet, I thought in my mind that I would be back at work by the end of February at the latest.
I find that so funny now!
I didn’t think about the new things I would have to learn. I didn’t think about issues of accessibility because I simply wasn’t aware of them at that time. My focus was just on continuing where I left off. I didn’t really give that much thought into how would I do things or
even if those things I used to do would still matter to me.
Soon after the temptations began doing the things they do…
[Audio: Temptations, “The Way You Do The Things You Do”]
The first seems almost common today; addiction.
This has always been a fear of mine. ! I have addictive tendencies.
Yes, right now to things like chocolate… I go through binge periods.
I’m not making fun of addiction in any way. I know today addiction to pain killers is looked at quite differently from
let’s say how addictions were viewed when crack was the drug of choice! The substance, shouldn’t matter nor should who the addicts are but that’s another episode topic.
I was given Percoset for the pain following my surgery. I found myself taking them nightly. I soon began noticing a smell after I would ingest the pill.
It didn’t stink nor did it smell good. There was a sweetness to the smell, but
not like candy, cake or chocolate!
Thank goodness because I would be somewhere fiending right now!
It was different.
I began noticing the smell during the day when I didn’t take the pill. I wasn’t anywhere near the pill.
I’d start thinking about taking the pill and the way it lulled me to sleep. That numb feeling of no pain, worries or problems that seemed of any immediate importance. I soon realized I was taking the pill without even any pain.
it was more about the habit of taking it and the way it carried me away to sleep at night.
It picked me up and placed me on a bed of clouds and off to sleep I went.
When I smelled the scent of the pills during the day I started thinking about how I now had a pass. Taking the pills to help relieve me of the nonphysical pain seemed almost acceptable. I began creating what seemed like reasons that would permit the behavior…
“Well, I’m not working now, I’m alone in the house today.”
“The doctors gave me the pills, I have to use them.”
These were just mental excuses. I was arguing with myself internally as to why I should take a pill even though I had no physical pain.
“who’s gonna know?”
That was it! I flushed the rest of the pills and that was the last time I took them.
Temptations come in all forms!
During my first few months of adjusting, I would spend the early part of the day before noon, watching a lot of standup comedy on comedy central.
Stand up is great! It’s mostly accessible as it is usually vocal performances.
It was helpful, it took me out of my own head and made me laugh. That energy release helped me feel a bit more positive.
During that time my television options were limited. I didn’t have much in the way of audio description for television or movies. I didn’t enjoy the movie watching experience unless
I was watching something familiar and
I’m not really the type who likes re-watching a lot of things.
I think about the access we now have to Netflix and
other options for audio described movies and television.
that could have played into my adjustment.
I could have chosen to spend my time mindlessly watching television or movies all day.
I can hear the excuses in my head now!
“What else am I supposed to do?”
“Watching and analyzing shows or movies gives me some insight into humanity and maybe even my own situation.”
“I’ll watch the movie while I fold the laundry.”
Right now, with shows like Black Mirror on Netflix? I might accept having that bar lowered. Sitting around playing with my iPhone and watching Netflix all day sounds pretty good!
“Don’t do it!”
It’s not just Netflix!
There’s the internet and technology in general too! You know these are real temptations!
At one point it looked like blind people would be barred from participating in so much of this technology. However, rightfully so, accessibility improvements are happening. Are they happening fast enough for everyone?
No, but they are happening and we have to acknowledge that.
Even console game makers are thinking inclusively and developing games
that will enable gamers with disabilities including blindness to participate.
I’m not mad at that or any of these “temptations.”
I guess I’m speaking especially to those adjusting to vision loss and who want to make a point of reaching their own goals with their new situation.
The more access we have to things that can improve our opportunities and daily lives the better. It just so happens that these things are potentially the same things that can tempt us into complacency and accepting less of ourselves.
In a way though, isn’t that what accessibility is all about?
Access not only to participate, but to make all of our decisions that affect our lives.
Like choosing to subscribe to this podcast! The show is short in duration! It won’t take you away from anything. You can fit it in on a quick break or as you’re doing your daily activities; making or eating breakfast, lunch or dinner. Brushing your teeth. Walking your dog. Whatever it is you do, doing it is better with Reid My Mind Radio!
Subscribe anywhere you get podcasts.
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No seriously if you are a hater, feel free to hate, but everyone knows haters shouldn’t rate, just discriminate!
I’m good with that!
[Laughs]
Thanks for listening!
[Audio: RMMradio theme]
Peace!
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