Dr Kelly Fleming

I have a number of friends who are blind. Personally I have low vision and considered legally blind.

As a disabled person, one might think that it is rather easy to describe myself to someone who cannot see.

I have found for myself, this is very difficult. Where do I start? What would help a person who is blind get to know me and who I am?

I generally start with my being disabled. I don’t go into great detail and if someone has questions I will happily explain things more so they understand both my physical limitations and my physical abilities. Generally speaking, I don’t really see my physical limitations or abilities myself because they are just a part of who I am.

My general introduction is that I’m Deaf. I can speak, although not as clear as a hearing person so I often use a text to voice translation app so that the other person can understand me better.

Anyone who is blind or low vision wants to know what a person looks like.

My physical description :

• I use a power chair because I’m disabled
• I have low vision so my distance clarity with specialized glasses allows me to see most of a person’s face up to 5 feet distance. Beyond that distance, everything becomes blurry.
• I’m 4 ft 6
• I have brown hair, hazel eyes, tinted glasses
• I have an apricot standard poodle dog guide who has recently retired, aged 13 who is most likely by my side at that moment

My interests:

• Reading
• Studying religion and history
• Writing
• Advocacy for accessibility for disabled people
• Advocacy for dog guides, their various purposes and in particular the skills of my own service dogs over the past 20 years that have helped me be more independent

In general, I find it difficult to talk about myself. I’m a rather private person but at the same time I will answer any questions someone asks.

Having this blog took a lot of personal reflection to be able to open up to others, especially people I do not know and I’ll never meet. I realized that I have a story to tell as a disabled person and perhaps my story will help others who are disabled, have disabled children, relatives or friends.