Dr Amy Kavanagh @BlondeHistorian Twitter profile

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

10 months

Hi, I'm a blind activist & freelancer. I celebrate the radical joy of disability & advocate for a more accessible world. Want to work with me? 🗣️ Public Speaking 👩‍🏫 Training 💻 Consultancy 🎮 Gaming ✍️ Writing 📽️ Media Contact me here ⬇️

AmyKavanagh | Instagram, TikTok, Twitch | Linktree

Dr Amy Kavanagh is an award winning blind activist, content creator & freelancer

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

I’m blind & pregnant. Today during routine tests at the hospital I was spoken to like a disobedient child because I couldn’t read a tiny label. The nurse huffed at me when I calmly explained that I’m blind & she had sent my partner out of the room who can read things for me 1/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

After a husband & 2 teenage sons repeatedly claimed they could not understand & operate a washing machine a friend confiscated their car keys. She stated that if the washing machine was beyond their capacity they shouldn’t operate a vehicle. Turns out they could do the laundry.

Cooper

@Cooperstreaming

1 year

Someone in my mentions was stunned that weaponized incompetence "is a real thing". Understandable. This is a new term for an old behavior. But for fun, as a treat, how about we share our most absurd experiences of weaponized incompetence.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I’m blind & was out with my guide dog. Them: Hi just to let you know that there has been an accident up ahead. Me: oh dear! Are the pavements blocked? Them: yes & the crossings *describes it* Me: ok! Thank you. That’s so helpful & kind. Them: No problem, lovely to see you.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I’m blind & here is a story about how my Guide Dog Ava is supporting me to be a parent. We went to a local cafe to meet our antenatal class Mums. On entering the cafe I told Ava to “find friends” & she marched me towards a pram & a baby, but it wasn’t my group 1/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

People often justify refusing my Guide Dog access on the basis of potential fear of dogs. But how does it work when someone is scared & we’re sharing a space? Well it happened just now on the tube. As I boarded a person with a young child gasped “I’m scared of dogs!”

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I'm blind. This morning I was walking through my local park with my pram & my white cane. A man shouted "Woah!" in my face & grabbed my cane & my pram. I pushed back in shock & demanded he let me go. He refused. Why? Because I was going to "walk over some dirt & grass". 1/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

8 months

For anyone skeptical about the value of teaching babies sign language my 9 month old just told us which tooth hurt. We were giving him medicine & signed it was for the “ouch”. He signed back & pointed to his tooth. We asked where is the ouch & he signed & pointed again! 🤯

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

At the beginning of the appointment she also tried to make my partner take my guide dog with him. Again I calmly said no, she needed to stay with me. Of course, as she’s a trained assistance dog @GuideDogAva lay at my feet & remained motionless during the whole procedure. 2/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

3 years

I’m just a blind girl, standing in front of tech twitter, asking you to describe images. That’s it. No demands, nothing unreasonable, just a request to tell us blind folks what is in your pictures so we can enjoy them too. (I’ll even show you how to do it 👇)

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

The sad thing is in all my maternity care so far this is the first time I’ve encouraged ableism. The midwives are great, my blindness doesn’t phase them at all & we’re planning how to meet my sensory & access needs in labour. Nurses clearly need disability awareness training 6/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

What I want non disabled people to understand is how utterly normal this experience felt. As a blind person I’m usually manhandled, patronised & denied access support by medical professionals. I probably will complain but honestly I expect the same experience next time. 7/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

4 years

I’m 31 years old & I only just found out that apparently sighted people see rain?!?! The rain actually falling from the sky not hitting ground. Mind blown.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

What was so frustrating about the experience was that by making Other Half leave the nurse created access barriers. He could have read for me & supported me with the drink. OH is even down as my carer on the maternity forms 5/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

As a blind woman I frequently experience hostile & bizarre behaviours from men. My visual impairment wasn’t obvious before I used a white cane or guide dog so I’ve absolutely experienced the specific shift of behaviour towards my disability. Here are two recent examples 🧵

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

I also had to drink a medicated drink for the test. I was struggling to get the last drops & the nurse gestured at me with a vague instruction “up”. I didn’t understand as I couldn’t see the gestures so she grabbed the packet & shoved it in my mouth tipping in the liquid 3/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

And if you don’t have the time to follow blind advocates, watch a video or read a blog. Just reflect on how it might feel to have a medicated drink shoved into your mouth. Or to be talked to like a child. I’m blind & I am still a person. Treat me with dignity, care & respect 9/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

The nurse gave me further information on the next steps of the test. I nodded, said “yes” & “I understand”. As I exited the room & Other Half came forwards, the nurse repeated all the instructions to OH. Loudly telling him how to look after “his wife”. We’re not married 4/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

So if you’re a healthcare professional reflect on your awareness around blindness & visual impairment. If you lack knowledge or confidence to provide care & support then educate yourself. There are so many excellent resources provided by organisations like @RNIB & @guidedogs 8/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I cannot emphasise this enough. It is completely unacceptable to touch a disabled person, their mobility aids & THEIR CHILDREN without permission. If you think there is a hazard, communicate first. Because personally, I don't find "dirt & grass" particularly hazardous. 3/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

10 months

I’m blind & my partner often adds details missed by audio description on tv shows. Audio description: they walk by the river. Other Half: canal 🧐 AD: near the river. Other Half: the canal… 😤 AD: at night the lights shine in the river. Other Half: It’s A CANAL!!! 🤬

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

I want people to understand why “make a complaint” isn’t necessarily an accessible, safe or easy experience for a disabled person. First, it won’t be anonymous, how many blind pregnant people with guide dogs in their third trimester are interacting with the department? 10/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

Also telling a disabled person who has experienced discrimination & traumatic assault that it’s their job to educate the person who victimised them is horrific. You’ve read this thread, step up & do some educating about disability in your workplaces, families & communities. /15

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

4 years

As a disabled person it hurts to see all the adjustments that we’ve been denied suddenly be made available because non-disabled people might get sick. But we will remember, we see you & your ableism. So next time you deny us accommodations, we will say “but during Coronavirus?”

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Enough of the pavement was open for @GuideDogAva to work out how to continue our usual route. It was a challenging walk with lots of congested roads & frustrated drivers who didn’t know about the accident. Miss Ava went slow & steady, so she’s having a much deserved sunbathe.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

So healthcare staff will know that I have complained. The same staff who in 12 weeks will get decisions over my care & support in labour. And no it’s not an unrealistic leap from forcefully shoving a drink in someone’s mouth to denying them pain relief. 11/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I had to push & pull my pram & cane away from this person's hands so that I could leave. He had his hands on the pram with my baby in it & wouldn't let go until I started physically trying to get him off. All because I *might* walk over some dirt & grass on a path. In a park 2/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

And again, before the reply guys come in with "well I guess you can't grab a blind person if they're going to walk into a fire / road / tornado" Disabled people have the right to choose who touches us & why. Even paramedics tell unconscious people when they start CPR 5/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Yesterday I had a horrific ableist experience & access refusal with my Guide Dog. I can’t share yet due to potential legal action. But I did want to celebrate the woman who ran out of her house with no shoes on to support me. She stayed with me in her socks for half an hour.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

10 months

Hi Emma, I’m blind & have anxiety. Because of people like you I was repeatedly refused basic accommodations like audio copies of lectures, accessible technology & mobility support in case I “gamed the system”. It’s not a game. It’s equality & it’s a legal right.

Emma Camp

@emmma_camp_

10 months

Granted, the spike in disability accomidations for things like “anxiety” and ADHD, is probably one part students failing to cope with the challeges of college life, one part kids who realize that it’s incredibly easy to game the system. Both are problems!

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

And before the reply guys turn up, no there really wasnt a valid hazard or reason for this behaviour. Eventually I ascertained from the person who grabbed me that there were some grass cuttings on the edge of the path. My pram wheels just rolled over it, no problem. 4/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

Also I don’t trust the complaint process to be accessible, even down to my assistive tech accessing the website or are there large print paper forms? It will also require administrative & emotional labour I don’t know that I have the resilience or capacity for. /12

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

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/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Once again, I am amazed by my beautiful smart girl @GuideDogAva She is the reason I can be an independent, confident & very sociable blind Mum! The best big sister with paws ever. 6/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Today @GuideDogAva saved me & the baby. She pulled us out of the way of a van which cut a corner & mounted the pavement. I’m being supported by Guide Dogs who will help report the incident. My good girl deserves all the cheese tonight.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

So unless you’re prepared to support me, fill out inaccessible paperwork, come to meetings, gather the evidence to assert my rights, do the labour of educating healthcare professionals & protect me from further abuse or discrimination, don’t tell me “you should complain”. /14

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Also what may seem *dangerous* to you as a non disabled person might be completely safe & routine for a disabled person. For example, the person who without warning pulled me by my hair away from a set of stairs. The set of stairs I used every day on my commute. So ask first 6/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

The person gasped when I mentioned quick movement. So I explained “she is going to move quickly now but she is going under my legs she has to turn & go under to do this.” Ava then did the move under my legs. Immediately & calmly settled. Them: thank you. Me: no problem.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

They apologised for being scared & I said it was ok. I then showed them pictures of Little One & Ava. We talked about how Ava helps me & Little One. They then started talking to their toddler about the doggy which was lovely! We also all played peekaboo raspberries 😝

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

It's really not difficult to ask if assistance is needed. After leaving the park I was waiting to cross a road. Passerby: Hey do you need help? The cars have stopped for you. Me: Oh great thanks for letting me know. Passerby: No problem. You ok now? Me: Yup, thanks again. 7/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

As an assistance dog handler I have found that fear of dogs often comes from concerns about unpredictability. I can address specific fears about barking or biting or jumping. But I can also help by explaining what will happen & showing that Ava’s behaviour is calm & predictable

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

11 months

I'm blind & I was waiting at a pedestrian crossing with my white cane. Man across the road *yelling*: HELP HER! Help her! Helllpppp Herrr! Woman next to me: What? Sorry? What? Man: You have to help her! Me: No, I'm fine. I am a grown adult I can cross a road by myself. 1/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

Also as anyone who has interacted with the NHS recently regarding pregnancy care knows… this might not be the biggest battle. What do I put my energy towards? What if this complaint process takes my time away from asserting my access needs in my birth plan? 13/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Yesterday at the GP a person doing some maintenance work repeatedly shouted “dog!” at @GuideDogAva until the receptionist asked them to stop. Today at the supermarket two small kids ran up excitedly but one read aloud “I’m working don’t distract” & said “we can’t pet this dog”.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

I held onto Ava’s collar as they got off (not necessary but adds reassurance). They even said “oh it’s ok don’t worry” when I offered to move her away so they could walk by us without Ava as close. I think Ava’s calm behaviour had helped them feel safer & less worried.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

5 years

This image of a visually impaired woman using her phone has hundreds of comments mocking her. 1. Not all blind people are totally blind. 2. Remember Siri & Alexa? YOUR PHONE CAN TALK TO YOU. Every day visually impaired people experience abuse for using their phones. End it now

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

I had to get into my seat which meant Ava was stood near this person for about 30 seconds but I started talking very calmly. The person kept worriedly saying they were scared. “She is a highly trained dog, she will not jump or bark. I will move her as soon as I sit.”

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

6 months

Today at the library. Toddler (standing near us): Puppy! A puppy (x 12) Parent: yes a puppy. But we don’t touch this puppy. Toddler: puppy is lying down. Parent: yes. Toddler: just looking at puppy. Parent: yes just looking. Me: Thank you.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

5 months

A very Merry Fuck You to the person who said “that poor child” on seeing me exit the accessible toilet with my Guide Dog & toddler. And a huge festive thank you to lovely Jean & David in the cafe who saved a table, carried my food & found us a highchair. Be more Jean & David!

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I was stunned. Ava had found someone I didn’t even know was going to be in the cafe. Ava just stood wagging her tail like “see it is a friend! Baby is friend! I found them!” Then my antenatal class Mums turned up, I waved goodbye to V & had a lovely catch up with the group 4/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

I sat down & prepared to get Ava under my legs. I kept reassuring & explaining. “She will not do anything, she will not come up to you. If you ignore her she will ignore you. I am going to get her to lie down under my legs now. She is going to move very quickly in a moment”

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

5 years

I’m visually impaired. My Piccadilly line train stopped unexpectedly at King’s Cross. I was faced with a packed platform of angry passengers. I had a tap on my shoulder & heard “I’m the driver, I’m not going to leave you until we get help.” @TfL your staff are amazing.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

8 months

Hi Tom, I'm blind & I was breastfeeding my baby in a park. A member of the public started a conversation with me about my disability. They demanded I explain how I could have a baby & concluded I was an unsafe mother due to my blindness. I don't owe anyone a conversation

Tom Pursglove MP

@VotePursglove

8 months

Great to see #AskDontAssume launch today, following co-development with disabled people, stakeholders and extensive research with 500+ people with lived experience of disability. The campaign aims to start conversations about the everyday assumptions disabled people face.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Honestly I'm still processing that a grown man took hold of my pram (stroller) with my baby in it & thought that it was an appropriate thing to do. And I was already really struggling with my confidence getting out with my baby & my white cane without @GuideDogAva 8/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

Waiting at Euston for assistance & the ramp. Assistance staff “oh god I’ve got another one” Me: “excuse me? Another one?” Staff: “ummm ummm a passenger another passenger”

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I'm missing the support of my Guide Dog, because working with her really reduces these incidents. I'm exhausted & I feel that I have to keep to sharing experiences because apparently "don't grab disabled people" is still hard to understand. So please share & #JustAskDontGrab 9/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

6 months

As a blind parent with a Guide Dog & a toddler here is my two cents on the whole dogs vs children thing that’s kicked off. Kids are chaotic in ways I could not have imagined. My dog is trained to ignore chaos. But parenting includes supporting kids to understand boundaries. 1/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Apart from my partner, who Ava can find on command, I always thought Ava finds people because they greet us & she takes me to the people waving & saying hi! I had no idea she could independently recognise & find another baby! 5/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

During my lovely Mother’s Day lunch my Little One was hungry. I overheard “I don’t think women should do that in case a man sees” So here I am breastfeeding my baby, really hope a man doesn’t see… they might find out what breasts do!

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

3 months

My visual impairment. Dr: you don't have albinism. Me: you just read out the test results that concur with the diagnosis of albinism, which is on my certificate of blindness issued by the consultant, who diagnosed me with albinism. Dr: Well yes technically you do HAVE albinism

Candace D.

@DiaryofaSickGrl

3 months

Has a doctor ever tried to undiagnose you with something you definitely have?

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

As expected people are already excusing these incidents in the replies & justifying the behaviour. Disabled women are twice as likely to experience sexual assault compared to non disabled women. We are specially targeted by violent perpetrators. So listen to disabled women.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

28 days

Is there anything else I can do to support people who are scared of dogs so I can share spaces with them safely?

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

8 months

Tonight a hospital security guard tried to stop me entering urgent care with @GuideDogAva & my poorly baby. We kept walking after firmly saying “this is a guide dog.” Very grateful to the members of the public who also shouted him down & the nurse on the reception who had words

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

4 years

Dear Parents, if the baby change facilities are in an accessible toilet, please don’t leave the changing table like this! I’m blind & just walked smack into this one. It really hurt. My white cane can’t pick up things at height & it would also be in the way for wheelchair users

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

8 days

One of the most exhausting things about being a blind mum is how often other people will monitor, oversee or intervene in my parenting. And no, I’m not talking about being “helpful”, because help is mutually beneficial. This is how it played out this morning. A thread 🧵

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

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/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

4 years

So I see that twitter is full of eugenics this morning. Disabled people are human beings & we deserve to live. That’s it. That’s the tweet.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

21 days

I’m blind & I just had to say my voting choices out loud in the middle of my polling station. Voting is inaccessible for many blind & visually impaired people. Blind citizens deserve accessible, private & independent participation in democracy. #DogsAtPollingStations

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 years

Have you noticed this 'alt' label on images? It means the image has 'alt text' or an image description. This means that blind people can access a description of the photo. It's really easy to add alt text to your images on twitter. This thread explains how! ⬇️👩‍🦯📲

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

For some people, often men, the mere existence of disabled women taking up space is enraging. My being blind & being in a doorway in a garden or walking on a path provoked aggressive behaviours from these two men. Disabled women experience this kind of reaction all the time.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

6 months

Other Half: hi I’m the father & will be doing the health visitor appointment. Please do not contact my partner who you discriminated against & refused healthcare because she has a guide dog. She does not want to be contacted. Health visitor *immediately contacts me* Me: 🙃

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Suddenly my friend V appears & says “oh hi I didn’t know you were coming here today!” V was there by coincidence. So it turns out Ava had taken me to “friends”, she had recognised the pram & baby! But V was in the loo & her nanny, who I haven’t met, was holding the baby 3/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

3 years

CW sexual assault As a blind woman I’m regularly sexually assaulted by men in public. They pretend they want to assist me across the road & then assault me. Yet when I talk about people grabbing on the train me I’m told people are being “kind” by touching me without my consent

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

11 months

Me: Exactly, how did he think I got there, I didn't beam down from space. He was yelling like I was on fire. Her: right?! You're fine, if you'd needed help you would have asked right? Me: Yes absolutely. Her: Well sorry. Me: No, not your fault at all, you have a good day. 3/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

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/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

10 months

I was just sat breastfeeding Little One & someone started trying to interact with @GuideDogAva I told Ava to ignore them. Them: are you the owner? Me: yes. Them: it’s your dog? Me: well it isn’t anyone else’s. Them: so it’s your guide dog? Me: YES. Blind parents exist.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

5 months

Them: Hello lady with the guide dog! Me: Hello. Them: You have a baby! I've NEVER seen a lady with a guide dog & a baby! Me: This is Little One, he's 13 months, we're waiting for the bus. Them: You have a guide dog & a baby! How do you cope? How do you manage?! Me: Fine thanks 1/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

And before the reply guys turn up to invalidate my experience & justify male violence. My partner saw the man look at me & then charge in. Luckily I wasn’t knocked off balance & hadn’t yet picked up my toddler. My partner helped me move aside & checked we were all ok.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

From a blind person, please god stop making everything touch screen. It’s making essential objects like washing machines totally inaccessible. Also in new buildings I keep encountering touch pads for lifts (elevators) & can’t use one without assistance. It’s so frustrating!

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

3 years

Don’t help disabled people without asking. I don’t have to be grateful. I decided who touches me, when & why. I’m not your good deed for the day. #MakeAbleistsUncomfortable #JustAskDontGrab

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I consistently experience little children respecting my working Guide Dog more than fully grown adults. Ignorance isn’t an excuse. You should be embarrassed of having less impulse control than a 4 year old. Stop choosing to ignore disabled people’s boundaries.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

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/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Just adding because a lot of people have commented. “Nice to see you” is a figure of speech. My blind friends say “see you later!” Even though we can’t. It’s just a common saying. I’m aware that I’m blind & others aren’t, it’s not taboo. This person could see me, it’s fine.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I’m safe & ok, but it was an incredibly distressing incident. The shoeless lady, her husband & a nice man from a pub all stopped their day to make sure I was alright, got Ava some water & even tried to advocate for me. It made a huge difference. This is being an ally.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

It’s very common to assume guide dog handlers or people who use white canes have zero vision. When the reality is most of us can see something even if it’s just light or movement. So maybe he didn’t expect me to notice him photographing me. And he wasn’t pleased about it.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

As a blind person I get bumped into a lot. I know the difference between an accidental knock & the thrust of a shoulder into my back. This man gave me no warning, no opportunity to move & no assistance to move out of the way. He just slammed into me & it was intentional.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

11 months

I crossed the road without help. Her: I'm so sorry, I had my ear buds in I didn't hear him. Me: He was yelling that you needed to help me. But I didn't need help. Her: Yeah, I didn't get it? You just walked down the street & you overtook me?! 2/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Thank you for all of the support. I won’t be reporting the incident because I’ve found the police simply don’t care about disabled women’s safety. I recently spoke about this issue of forced “help” & consent for disabled people. Podcast / transcript ⬇️

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

6 months

As a blind Mum I don't usually find myself represented in children's books. So I burst into tears when I discovered this image of a blonde blind woman in London with a Guide Dog. It just means so much to be able to open the page and say "can you find the picture of Mama?"

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Unfortunately I also know some non disabled people do this ableist game of chicken to “test” how blind someone might be. I’ve experienced this & have had others anecdotally share similar stories. They choose to potentially harm someone just to make a point about “fakers” 4/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

11 months

People help me cross roads all the time, it happened this morning. An older person informed me that a car had stopped to let me go, I thanked them & walked across the road. It is not helpful to be screamed at as if I am on fire rather than just existing as a disabled person 5/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

11 months

It was nice to have these two interactions balance each other out. But this has happened before when people yell at other members of the public to 'look after me' or 'help me'. I had already crossed half of the junction & the crossing signal was red. I was just waiting. 4/

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

5 months

Me: posts about being excluded as a disabled parent in a baby group. Non Disableds: they aren't mean! They just don't understand how to talk to you! You should make them feel comfortable talking to you. Next day... Mumsnet: disabled children shouldn't have an education.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

I was visiting the garden centre with my toddler & my partner. We were trying to show my toddler the fish ponds. Being a toddler my Little One instead was fascinated by opening the door into this section of the garden centre. I was trying to gently encourage him out of the way.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

7 months

As a blind person I can manage menstruating independently. I’ve learned to be aware of my body & rely on other sensory experiences to deal with a sneaky surprise period! But I’m so happy to have a partner that kindly says “I noticed you started so I’ll just wash your pjs.”

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

I’m a blind parent & yesterday I learned a new route with my @GuideDogAva Ava supported me to navigate a 30 minute walk with the pram which I pull behind me. This means I will be able to go to our local breastfeeding group independently! 🤱 🦮

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

5 months

One of the hardest things about being a disabled parent is the reaction of other parents. Last week at a really busy baby class everyone opted to sit closer to a puddle on the floor from a leaking roof than next to me & @GuideDogAva I try be present & joyful but it hurts.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

1 year

Video shows Guide Dog Ava’s face lying at Little One’s feet. Little One is in his play gym excitedly babbling & wriggling. He is unintentionally repeatedly kicking Ava in the snoot & face. She just lies there occasionally adjusting but completely tolerating the gentle kicks 7/7

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

Maybe he’d watched me pick up after Ava (something we’re actually trained to do) & thought it would make a funny post on a Facebook group. Whatever his motivation, it was gross & creepy. But exhaustingly familiar. I encounter this kind of hostility a lot.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

2 months

The next incident happened as I took my guide dog for a toilet walk alone. When I’m working from home I often take my guide dog Ava on what is known as a block route, it’s a walk that gives her enough exercise & guiding work with some time to do her business.

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Dr Amy Kavanagh

@BlondeHistorian

11 months

So nice to wake up on my birthday to ableist comments telling me it’s unsafe that I’m a parent & I shouldn’t leave the house alone with my baby. My child is loved & safe. Little One will grow up with an activist Mother who fights for disability rights. I am an excellent parent

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