Q: I often get the feeling that people are not listening when I speak. What do I do be heard? I am blind.

K.Ram, Chennai.

A: Dear Ram, maybe you could just question them as you talk, like don’t you think so?” “Am I right?” or what do you think about What I said?” or words to the effect, just to get a response from the person you are talking to. This will help you feel confident to proceed, further.

But basically, if you are with people you know, just tell them the truth – that you feel they are not lestening and would like them to be more responsive. Andf then, you just have to learn to trust them. 

Q: I would like to admit my deaf child in a “normal “school, at the same time I am afraid. Would you kindly advice me on the pros and cons.

Jayanthi.

A: Jayanthi, you are doing the right thing for your child by wanting to admit him /her in a normal school. The child might take time to adjust to the attitude of other children towards him/ her, but with your support, your child will be able to overcome most of the ‘cons’.

Q: I have a son who is blind. I don’t think either my relatives or my friends have come to terms with it. When visitors come, I ask my son to leave the room, so that their “Oh poor boy… how did this happen?” kind of talk will not hurt him. But now I find that my son is upset by this. What should I do?

Vasantha pai, Pune. 

A: Of course your son is upset, Vasantha! I would be too, if I were in his place! Keeping him away or asking him to leave, will only serve to hurt his self esteem and make him a recluse. It’s your duty to prepare him for the outside world so that he can lead a normal life --- not try to run away from realities. Family support is most important. Hold your head high and appreciate your son what he is and be proud of him. You will find that the people who presently do not understand  automatically begin to do so and begin to appreciate him too.

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