I tried to come up with a clever title for this post but couldn’t. I’m just going to say it as it is, because this isn’t some rare occurrence—it happens most days whenever VIPs (Vision Impaired People) dare to go out.
This morning, I headed toward the train station like any other day, weaving my way through the familiar streets of my suburb. But as I approached the intersection by the track crossing—the only point where tactile ground surface indicators (TGSI) are in place, and therefore the safest spot for me to cross—it was completely blocked.
Two men, two women, and a toddler were standing there, chatting without a care in the world. One of the women was hanging on to a pram, presumably with a baby inside, and two large dogs darted around, barking at each other and probably everything else in sight including me. With the limited vision I have left, I could still make out the whole scene. They had completely blocked my path and it was clear—there was no way around.
As I got closer, I overheard one of the women saying, ‘And with my little one…’, and everyone seemed to be hanging onto her every word. I stood there, white cane in hand, clearly waiting to get by. I tried to say, ‘excuse me,’ but my voice faltered, drowned out by their laughter and the barking. And anyway, I doubt if they would’ve heard me with all the noise they were making.
Oh, how I wanted to prod them with my cane …
I couldn’t believe it—surely they saw me. Finally, one of the men muttered a half- hearted ‘sorry,’ but didn’t even move! I had no choice but to squeeze past the group, carefully navigating around the people, the dogs, and onto the grass verge just to continue on my way.
Is your bag comfortable?
It didn’t stop there. When I finally got on the train, it was packed. I heard a man’s voice shout, ‘someone help the lady.’ I gathered he was talking about me! But of course, no one did. All seats were occupied with people, or bags. Everyone standing was shoulder-to-shoulder, packed in like sardines. Out of the blue, someone pushed me to an empty seat – yes, you read that right, pushed! I plonked down onto the seat, but actually a bag was occupying it. I often wonder if this is the only place in the world where people think it’s acceptable to let their bag a occupy seat.
‘Excuse me?’ I said, thinking I had sat on a person – not a bag. Suddenly the bag was snatched from the seat by its owner who muttered something almost inaudible – I detected a ‘fuck’ in it -under a lot of angry huffing and puffing. As I settled into the seat feeling very uncomfortable, I looked over at the row of three priority seats opposite me, all taken. By this point, I was already feeling invisible, and it was only 10 am.
When the bag and the person sitting next to me got up to leave, instead of politely saying ‘excuse me,’ he just stumbled past, nearly tripping over. Why? Well, maybe because the person sitting opposite in the orange priority seat had their feet stretched out blocking the aisle.
Shouldn’t this stuff – and everything else -be taught in schools ??
My start to the morning got me thinking ‘what’s wrong with today’s society?’ I’ve heard people blame the education system for the lack of respect shown in the community. Many say it’s because respectful language and behaviour is not taught in schools anymore. Well, was it ever? In my day, it was part of everyday life when parents and carers taught manners and respect for each other. Honestly, don’t teachers have enough on their plate?
Parents and carers – step up to the plate
I’ve also heard people say toilet training should be taught in schools. Why? Because kids who aren’t toilet trained aren’t allowed to attend kindergarten. Well, bugger me. But I digress. It’s all just so pathetic. Parents and carers need to take responsibility for their brats and teach them respect before they even start school.
Can you become more invisible?
As I disembarked from the train after arriving at the station, the day continued in the same relentless pattern – people shoving, pushing, and brushing past – some almost collecting my cane as they darted in front of me, my invisible self. It’s a constant battle navigating through a world that seems determined to overlook people who have low or no vision.
But wait a minute …
Of course, not everyone behaves this way. There are countless lovely, kind, and respectful people who restore my faith in humanity. Not surprisingly, many of them are also baffled by this arrogant, selfish behaviour. Sadly, some days, it seems like the rude and clueless crowd are taking over the city. But it’s important to remember that kindness is still out there. It really is.
