In a culture highly attuned to sniffing out toxic positivity and cringy Mr. Magoo-esque humor, it’s sometimes challenging to find appropriate spaces for light-hearted and humorous stories related to blindness. We share them from time to time but definitely with more caution than when we first began this blog, as we are more aware of how certain stories may be perceived. Perception, however, is exactly why I’m sharing a vision-related misperception that recently made me laugh.
I was sitting in a circle singing with a group of friends and family at a nearby beach, and all of a sudden I heard some unfamiliar male voices joining in. Based on the cadence of their voices and the goofy lyrics they were making up as they sang, I guessed they were from a nearby home for young adults with developmental disabilities. I guessed that the older, female voice I heard whispering occasional redirections to them was either their mom or the group home caregiver. After several songs, I heard another girl from the group home come to the boys and tell them it was time to leave.
When the two young men ignored the girl and kept singing, I heard my mom step in and ask one of our friends to escort them up to the parking lot.
As we were packing up our beach blanket, I asked my mom why the woman who was with the teenagers didn’t step in to help.
“What woman?” My mom asked.
“The one who kept whispering redirections and encouragement while we sang.”
“That was me!” My mom said, to which we both laughed.
Later that evening I remarked to my husband how glad I was that our group of singers was so welcoming to the teenagers with disabilities.
“You mean those kids who were high?” Ben asked.
“No,” I insisted. “They were kids with disabilities. That’s why my mom was helping them, and then that other girl from the home came to tell them it was time to leave.”
Ben told me he was pretty sure that was just their friend and that they were just teenagers who had smoked a lot of weed. Unconvinced, I asked several friends who were there, and they not only agreed with Ben that the kids were high but also added that the two guys who sang with us were singing in an exaggerated way to be funny, but also pointed out that they still must have been enjoying singing or they wouldn’t have stayed for so many songs.
So basically the two guys with disabilities and their caretaker were really two kids on drugs being told to settle down by my mom.
The sheer humor of this misconception not only made me laugh, but also made me glad that I don’t have friends and family who are constantly narrating everything that’s going on. I enjoy being allowed to construct my own version of what’s occurring at any given moment, even when it’s hilariously wrong.
When I really think about it, would my awareness of the quote-unquote right visual details of that story really change anything? When it really comes down to the marrow of that scenario, doesn’t the following statement apply to both perceptions? Two teenage boys experiencing a slightly altered reality were welcomed in by a group of singers on a beach, and a motherly figure accommodated their participation throughout whispered encouragement.
As I process this story further, I am left wondering whether I could reverse engineer perceptions of other stories in my life. Since our realities are really based on our own perceptions, are there scenarios I could choose to perceive differently in order to bring in a lighter perspective? Could I allow myself to laugh and have fun re-framing new and old stories alike?
This week I plan to allow my curiosity to frolic and play a bit, and I invite you, curious DoubleVision reader, to join me in a little misperception magic.
Thanks for sharing a light-hearted moment. It’s fun to laugh at ourselves…and to choose the story that makes us happiest.
Thanks Rachel! Yes, I’ve been told I take myself too seriously, so this is good practice for me!
Joy,
YES to more misperception, magic, and light-heartedness!
Gratefully,
Kevin Kuhn
Thanks Kevin! I often feel myself leaning toward the heavy-hearted first, but maybe that’s just where I need to go before I can move into light!
Dear Joy,
Thank you for this wonderful story!!!! It offers such poignant humor…and such powerful heart touching truths. I love the idea of misperception magic!!! For me, the magic of all my perceptions begins within my heart. My perceptions are influenced by intentions to keep my heart open. An open heart allows me a greater all is welcome perception flexibility and acceptance.
Hugs and love,
Al Estock
Thanks you for your heart-centered words, Al. I love how you added in flexibility and acceptance— 2 magic ingredients that allow us to keep our hearts open.
Amazing job, Joy on Misperception Magic!!! Both of you continue to provide such wonderful stories that enrich my life. It can be so tiring to have people constantly point out stuff. I know they are trying to help and it comes from a great place, but it so exhausting at times. I’m not sure sighted people fully understand what it would be like to have people around them constantly providing commentary. It’s great to hear your family and friends understand that and just allow you to be. The people who love and care about us must know that we will ask for help or input (or we won’t) when we need it. Thanks again for sharing this story! ke
Thanks Keith! Yes, it can be exhausting at times. It’s fascinating how people who are sighted sometimes have this need to fill in every visual piece of information!
I can’t stop laughing! I like your version better!