Disability and Attitude: How Both Affect One Man’s Worldview
by Beth
I am pleased to have social worker and writer Jeff Flodin back as a guest blogger today. Jeff was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age 35 and is currently working on a short story collection about vision loss.
by Jeff Flodin
Jeff Flodin with his Seeing Eye dog.
Over the years, I’ve walked almost 2,000 miles to and from work. Most trips are serene, a few stressful. My first step on every walk is to pause and take stock. I check the weather and traffic. I test that Randy’s harness is snug but not too tight. I pat my pockets for keys, iPhone, billfold and dog bags. Then I measure the most important factor I bring to my journey: My attitude.
My attitude determines whether I view the world as full of compassionate helpers or inconsiderate creeps. The constant in this equation is who’s out there; the variable is how I view them. On days I feel at ease with myself, I embrace the stranger. I walk with grace, like I just got out of church. But on days I’m immersed in self-pity, I assume all motives are sadistic. I take every real or imagined slight personally. I look for a fight and, by God, I find one. Attitude, action and reaction — the choice is mine whether I wear my blindness like a loose garment or a straightjacket.
On days I am at ease, I possess the humility to be right-sized in this world. I am a part of, rather than apart from, my fellows. On days of conflict, I carry the delusion of self-importance. I’m sure the driver who crowded me in the crosswalk waited all day and traveled a long way just to stick it to me. I’m certain the kid left his bicycle on the sidewalk so he could watch the blind man trip and fall. I just know the city worker dug up the sidewalk to confuse my guide dog. Oh, I get payback being the victim. Me, me, me becomes even more compelling when the me is wronged.
The riddle goes, “What have you got when you sober up a horse thief?” and the answer is, “A sober horse thief.” Self-pity, anger and grandiosity make me the horse thief, not blindness. For sure, blindness doesn’t help — it exacerbates the flaws I bring into play. I can’t change the blindness but I’m working on changing the flaws. My goal is progress, not perfection. So, I keep walking, keep practicing patience, tolerance and self-restraint. Today, I can greet my wife with, “I had a pretty good walk home from work today, Honey. I only yelled at one driver.” And that’s what I call progress!
A version of this post originally appeared on Jalapeños in the Oatmeal, Jeff Flodin’s blog about digesting vision loss.
Read more posts by Jeff:
How Can We Respect People with Disabilities? Start by Listening.
The fact of the matter is, “I am blind, and blindness takes extra”
February 16th, 2023 at 3:09 pm
You are an inspiration for many. I love reading posts like this.
February 9th, 2023 at 7:44 pm
I look for a fight and, by God, I find one reliable drywall installer with Attitude, action, and reaction.
February 9th, 2023 at 8:08 am
This is very informative. Keep on sharing.
January 20th, 2023 at 9:03 pm
Personally, my attitude towards people depends on how they treat me.
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January 9th, 2023 at 11:05 am
Thank you for this awesome content you posted.
December 28th, 2022 at 7:21 pm
This is a great campaign. Really impressive 🙂
Residential Retaining Wall
November 15th, 2022 at 8:54 pm
I’d want to express my gratitude to you for devoting some of your time to this sharing
November 15th, 2022 at 7:32 pm
My perspective decides whether I perceive the world as full of helpful people or insensitive jerks.
November 11th, 2022 at 9:03 am
It must take so much courage to face all the challenges in life when you have a disability. That is where I salute you guys.
November 10th, 2022 at 1:28 am
The need for awareness of people with disabilities cannot be overstated.
November 8th, 2022 at 7:09 am
The car who squeezed past me in the crossing probably waited all day and went a long way just to spite me. The youngster undoubtedly left his bike on the sidewalk so he could see the blind man trip and fall.
November 8th, 2022 at 7:08 am
Who is out there is the constant in this equation; the variable is how I perceive them. I embrace the stranger on the days when I feel comfortable with myself.
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November 3rd, 2022 at 10:48 pm
Very inspiring story.
Jana | Business owner
October 30th, 2022 at 3:49 am
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October 30th, 2022 at 3:49 am
Thnaks your information
October 24th, 2022 at 1:51 am
The need for awareness of people with disabilities cannot be overstated.
October 16th, 2022 at 8:46 pm
I can see a lot of useful information. Very interesting!
September 13th, 2022 at 9:47 pm
Awareness is the key!
July 11th, 2022 at 4:06 am
It is critical that we are aware of the needs of persons with varying degrees of ability.
July 2nd, 2022 at 2:29 am
Who is out there is the constant in this equation; the variable is how I perceive them. I embrace the stranger on the days when I feel comfortable with myself.
March 1st, 2022 at 7:39 pm
For sure, blindness doesn’t help — it exacerbates the flaws I bring into play.
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January 7th, 2022 at 10:15 am
What determines whether I see the world as full of kind helpers or as full of jigsaw puzzle insensitive creeps is determined by my attitude.
January 6th, 2022 at 7:32 am
My attitude determines whether I view the world as full of compassionate helpers or inconsiderate creeps.
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December 6th, 2021 at 6:54 am
It is important that we have awareness for differently abled people. 🙂
November 17th, 2021 at 9:25 am
I love how positive this campaign is and the purpose was really impressive. 😀