Hello Everyone,

Welcome to The Invisible Vision Project’s Blog.

In today’s blog, let’s have a conversation about driving. Yes, you heard it right, it is a Blind Girl’s conversation about driving. In case you didn’t know- I’m legally blind, and therefore, I’m not able to drive.

For a lot of people in the blind and low vision community, if someone is to point out that one thing blind people cannot do, it would probably be the inability to drive.

To be honest, I didn’t start thinking about driving, not until when nearly all of my friends now can drive.

I remembered, I cried the first time accompanying a good friend of mine getting her driver’s licence. And, I get ‘teary’ almost every time having a friend drive me around town. Also, did I ever mention, I find some people’s maturity through their driving. Somehow, their focused look on their face while driving looked like suddenly they’ve grown up a lot!

As much as it is a reality that I’m not able to drive, because of my eye sight problem, whether I accept it or not. Sometimes, it makes me think: let’s say that I’m a fully sighted person, and I’m qualified to drive, would I learn how to drive? Would I enjoy driving? I mean, I’m sure there’re sighted people out there that hates driving, and wished that they don’t need to drive every single day!

In my perspective, I don’t think I’m suited to drive, and it’s not just because I can’t see well enough to do the task. I may not be suited to drive because of my personality. As weird as this may sound, but it’s kind-of true. How I looked at it is this: some of you may know, I’m a highly sensitive person, and I’m also very emotional. The task of driving, is not as simple as it look. You can be a confident and reliable driver, but that doesn’t guarantee the people around you are the same. There are not only unreliable drivers, but also unpredictable pedestrians as well! And, sometimes, problems or accidents happen, and it may not even be because of you. Driving is not just about get on the road and go, there’s a lot to consider, which includes weighting both the benefits as well as the risks. As for me, I would say, I’m not willing to take that kind of risk. Considering my high sensitivity, it would probably be challenging, and stressful for me to become a driver.

Although, I sometimes envoy those who are able to drive.  And, I know the convenience of having a car. But, driving is really not for me. And, even if I could see well enough to drive, I probably still choose not to. So, it actually worked out that I’m not able to. I’m still able to get around without a car, and especially without having to take care of one!

So, this concludes today’s blog on driving. I hope you’ve enjoyed it!

Thank you for reading to the end!

By: The Invisible Vision Project