Andrew Leland shares his experience transitioning into blindness and the lessons it taught him about life and change. He discusses the culture of blindness and disability, finding joy in accessibility, and the importance of acceptance. The podcast also explores topics like identity, writing, ableism, and the marginalized identity of disability.
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Quick takeaways
Adjusting and accepting uncertainty in life transitions is crucial, regardless of one's relationship to ability and disability.
Blindness is not a binary condition and can include usable vision, challenging the misconception that all blind people cannot see.
Deep dives
Transitioning and Life Adjustments
Andrew Leeland, a writer and audio producer, discusses his experience of slowly losing his eyesight and how it has re-oriented his relationship to the world, friends, family, and work. He emphasizes the importance of adjusting and accepting uncertainty in life transitions, regardless of one's relationship to ability and disability.
The Spectrum of Blindness
Andrew Leeland highlights the misconception that blindness is a binary condition, emphasizing that the majority of blind people still have some degree of vision. He explains that sight is on a spectrum and the experience of blindness can include usable vision. He also discusses the challenges and internalized feelings of inadequacy that come with navigating a society that often polices disability.
The Power of Absurdity and Acceptance
Andrew Leeland explores the importance of embracing absurdity and accepting the current state of transition. He shares how humor and absurdity play a significant role in the blind community, offering examples of acceptable blind humor that trades on absurdity rather than perpetuating stereotypes. He also discusses the benefits of accepting the old identity while transitioning, highlighting how accepting the in-between space can lead to a richer and more present experience.
The Challenges of Disability Policing and Doubt
Andrew Leeland delves into the common experience of disability policing and doubt faced by disabled individuals. He reflects on the skepticism and judgment people often express toward disabilities that are not visually apparent, such as chronic pain. He speculates about the origins of these attitudes and considers the deep-rooted ableism present in society. Leeland emphasizes the need for greater understanding and compassion when it comes to accepting and believing disabled individuals' experiences.
When he was a teenager, Andrew Leland was diagnosed with a condition that causes a gradual loss of vision. Over the years, Andrew’s literal view of the world has narrowed – but the ways in which he can explore and embrace life have widened. In this episode, Andrew talks about what his transition into blindness has taught him about life and how to navigate change. He also shares enlightening and humorous insights into the culture of blindness and disability and reveals what we can learn about bringing joy and fun into our accessibility practices. Andrew is a writer, teacher, and audio producer. His first book, “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight” is out now. For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts
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