One thing I really miss about using my white cane compared to working with a Guide Dog is all the people who play “blind chicken”. Today I was walking with my pram & a woman just repeatedly screamed “omg!” at me. She just kept walking closer instead of moving… or stopping… 1/

Eventually she was so close & screeching I stopped & yelled back “I AM BLIND” She started saying “oh no I didn’t mean.” But I managed to navigate around her & just walked away. I encounter this behaviour often, instead of moving or communicating, people force space conflict 2/

It annoyed me before but now it’s putting my baby at risk. If a disabled person needs space so they can safely navigate, move. If you can’t move, communicate. “Hi it’s narrow here, can you wait” or “I’m going to stay still on your left so you can get by” 3/

Being blind & using a pram is hard. But I’ve been practicing since before my baby was born. I’ve spent months building up my skills to do it safely. When Ava is back to work full time I’m even going to be assessed by her trainers to double check our safety together. 5/

But the hardest thing about navigating life as a disabled parent is the actions of other people. It’s exhausting. Also, they woke Little One from his nap, & there is no wrath like a sleep deprived parent! 🤬👩🏼‍🦯 6/

@BlondeHistorian I often have an umbrella, then I only need a single cover over face & head & can wear clear UV protect glasses: v photosensitive. A couple of weeks ago on a broad street in Cardiff a man raised his forearm clenched his fist & hit the umbrella, what went through his head?

@flofflach Violence & Aggression probably. I’m sorry

@BlondeHistorian so sorry to hear you have to face such horribleness

@BlondeHistorian My ex bragged about testing if his deaf coworker was REALLY deaf or if he was "faking it" People can be so relentlessly, needlessly cruel about other people's bodies

@BlondeHistorian I hit those people in the ankles

@BlondeHistorian A few years ago an old man came up to me and kicked my wheelchair footplate to see if I would feel it. When I whipped around and asked WTF he was playing at, he did the "money" hand gesture. I should have phoned the police but wasn't hurt and was in a hurry.

@BlondeHistorian Also there are different levels of vision impairment. Just because you move because you can "see" a shadow approaching you doesn't make you any less blind!

@BlondeHistorian I am partially sighted and people do this to me ALL the time. Sneak up beside because I have no side vision, taking things on the table in front of me because that also doesn't exist for me. Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone.

@BlondeHistorian I rely on a walking cane for balance and depth perception. The number of people who push in front of me or kick my cane is ridiculous. I had a bloke tell me to lay off the alcohol for breakfast!

@BlondeHistorian WHY WOULD SOMEONE FAKE IT

@BlondeHistorian God, that's awful. I'm so sorry.

@BlondeHistorian I'm so sorry. Likely the same folks that are ok with hungry kids to ensure there is not one iota of fraud.