Great things about being blind. Guiding on the stairs.

People have asked me how they should guide someone who is blind on the stairs. It is simpler than many people think. Do not grab my arm from behind. I will then be ahead of you and will have no idea what is in front of me. Let me take your arm. This way, I can feel as we ascend and descend stairs. When we get to a flight of steps, you don't need to count them. By feeling the motions as we move, I will know when we reach the top or bottom. Just tell me that we are going up or down and anything unique about the stairs. If they are curved, with steps spaced widely apart, or anything like that. Then, we can proceed.

Great things about being blind. Please don't be silent.

The other day, my guide dog and I were approaching a door to get into a building. It is a door we often use. A woman was there holding the door open. I do appreciate politeness as we all do I am sure. However, she held the door without telling me she was holding it. As my dog brought me up to it, I put out my hand to grab the handle and ended up touching her chest. She yelped, I moved back. She said, "I was just holding the door for you." I said, "Thank you but next time could you mention that you are holding the door?" She stamped off and didn't hold the next one. Sometimes I wonder why sighted people get all quiet when a blind person enters a room? Are they watching me intently? Do they not know what to say or do? Rule of thumb, talk to me. Tell me you are holding the door and then I wion't grab at any part of your body. And thank you to the majority of people out there who give wonderful descriptions and are very polite.