Don't worry... he's only blind!

[Gizmo]

Not entirely sucky but sad - No one seems to look out for people these days!

When I was waiting for the train this morning there was a blind gentleman being helped by the station staff who were telling him how many stops, checking out his route so that they can call ahead to the next stop for his assistance etc.

Unfortunately he's travelling at school kid time. The train is shorter than the later ones and is usually overpacked.

He's escorted to a seat and nothing else happens until we are nearly at his (and mine, and the kids) stop. He gets up on his own which surprises me at I heard the Assistance staff member say his colleague would fetch him from the train.

He's doing pretty well until the school kids start crowding the doors and jostling him at which point he's making shuffling steps and looks really unconfirmable. I asked him whether he is ok or needs any assistance and he asks for help getting off the train. I tell him clearly that we are surrounded by the school kids so I will wait until they are clear and help him down (Got off first, stood in front of the door, put my hand on his non-stick arm, and told him "next step will be down to the train step, ok, next step is down to the platform". Not sure if that was the right method but he seemed to be pretty confident otherwise and seemed more confident and comfortable whilst I was doing that).

The kids behind (who were further in the carriage) are still jostling and pushing him so I lead him out of the main flow and to somewhere that the Assistance staff can see him. It takes about 2-3 minutes until the Assistance staff can get through the streaming kids and I stand there with him until they've confirmed where the blind man is going. I say goodbye and he says thanks.

I know it is probably too much to expect but it really surprised me that very few of the kids acknowledged either the blind man or the staff member who was obviously trying to get through. If I'd not helped the guy he would have risked falling or missing his stop because the staff just couldn't get to him. I just hope that I didn't come across as too "oh poor you" and just as someone prepared to be helpful.

[Moosenogger]

Sometimes people who are blind resent those who try to help them - it can make them feel pitied or dependent. However, in this case the man seemed happy to have your help since he was in a situation that was potentially dangerous for him. I'm glad you aided him in getting out of the sea of school kids.

[Pixilated]

I'd say the fact that you asked whether he needed help, and didn't just rush in and grab him by the arm, would show him that you were definitely not doing the "oh, poor you" routine.

Sadly, it's not just kids who are either indifferent or oblivious to what's going on around them. People like that will find out for themselves someday what it's like to be on the receiving end ... although of course, by then they will have conveniently developed selective amnesia and insist that they never behaved like that.

[RealUnimportant]

You did everything right, and as a station staff member I salute you for offering aid. With the short turnover time at stations, it's very difficult for an assisting staff member to try & locate a VIP (visually impaired passenger) within the carriage; it would be expected for the passenger to make their way to the exit themselves unless they had serious difficulty, and if that much direct assistance is required it's more likely that we would not allow them to travel without a companion - they get a price break if this is necessary, as both the train company & the passengers benefit in the long run.

[PepperElf]

Indeed. You were very kind and observant and considerate.


I still remember one of the women in my college had a beautiful seeing eye dog. I think she had some limited vision, but clearly not enough since she required the use of a dog and a sight cane.

Still, sometimes people just aren't observant. I had to get one young student's attention cos... I don't know where his mind was but he clearly didn't notice that he was standing directly in her way. After that, however, he moved so she could walk down the hallway unimpeded.

[Gizmo]

I'm always aware that I come across as quite a strong and demanding in person. Also I was stuck between that level of "you are doing awesome, I don't know how you cope" (not really something you can say to someone you don't know without it sounding totally condescending) and wanting to help but not interfere unduly.

I'm just not jaded enough for this world these days - I keep wondering what is wrong with people that they don't respect their elders and keep their eyes open.

Thanks Guys, nice to know I probably didn't come across too strong/controlling.

[Seshat]

I'm disabled (thankfully not blind), and you seem to be just fine to me.

Sensible disabled people don't expect Joe or Jane Average to know exactly what help we need, or exactly when we need it. We do prefer you to ask (just as you did), and by telling him when his next step would be off the train, etc, and offering him tactile signals of where you were and where the steps were, you did just fine.

I do hope the station staff made sure you were able to get back on your train (if you weren't getting off at that station yourself); but regardless: thank you.


As a guide to small things that can be a big help: once a guy took two steps sideways out of his way to press a lift call button for me and my carer. Just a tiny thing to him; but pressing a lift call button is a tricky manouver in a wheelchair.

[Gizmo]

Quoth Seshat

I do hope the station staff made sure you were able to get back on your train (if you weren't getting off at that station yourself); but regardless: thank you.

It was my stop anyway so that wasn't a problem.