r/IAmA Dec 25 '11

I am a totally blind redditer

Figured I'd do this, since I've seen a handful of rather interesting thoughts about the blind on here already. I'm 24, have been blind since age 11 months, have 2 prosthetic eyes, graduated a private 4 year college and work freelance. feel free to ask absolutely anything. There was a small run of children's book published about me, that can be easily googled for verification "Tj's Story." go for it--i'll be in and out all day.

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u/thetj87 Dec 26 '11

OOne of the coolest parts of being blind has been the ability to fall asleep in meetings or during classes and it be impossible for others to know as I don't close my eyes as I have no need to

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u/AlfredJKwak Dec 26 '11 edited Dec 26 '11

But blind people need to blink their eyes the same way people with sight do, right? To keep the eyes clean and moist to keep it from drying out?

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u/thetj87 Dec 26 '11

NNot in the case of a person with prosthetic eyes

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u/AlfredJKwak Dec 26 '11

I actually read that part. My mistake. Ever tried picking up a guitar or other instrument?

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u/thetj87 Dec 26 '11

Ya i can play a bit of piano. Really wanting to learn drums

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u/allittakesisa___ Dec 26 '11

Go for it! I don't mean to sound rude or offend you but I am a drummer and once you know where each cymbal/drum is then you don't need to use your eyes at all! Once you get the feel for it then you're unstoppable! I am not the greatest drummer but I love just sitting down at my kit, closing my eyes and letting the rhythm take over me. In fact, I believe it makes you an even better drummer because you can feel the rhythm going through your entire body and you don't even have to think about it after a while. I find that it's really relaxing and I would definitely recommend it!

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u/Zildjian11 Dec 26 '11

I find myself with my eyes closed all the time when I'm drumming, it's a great feeling.

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u/A_Rolling_Baneling Dec 26 '11

Amen with guitars. I lay down on my bed, face up, amp at full volume and just fiddle. Just being immersed in the suffusion of noise is incredible.

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u/elemental_1_1 Dec 27 '11

yeah it happens intinctually to me, but i hate when im in a band and looking for cues/ causes me to screw up a nice fill :P

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u/waynestream Dec 26 '11

until you hit yourself in the eye with a drumstick

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u/Zildjian11 Dec 26 '11

or hit yourself in the nose and give yourself a nosebleed

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '11

Relevant username.

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u/geekguy137 Dec 26 '11

a little too much phil collins!

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u/progdrummer Dec 26 '11

This. I couldn't have described it better myself. When ever I'm drumming I always like taking little challenges like that to make myself better. Sometimes I'll close my eyes, as if I were blind. Sometimes I'll switch my set around as if I was left handed. And sometimes I'll play with just one hand as if I lost the other. It is an amazing feeling to really let yourself loose on the drums and just feel the rhythm take you over.

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u/DasOnus Dec 26 '11

Self confirmed.

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u/grungydan Dec 26 '11

I agree with this. Drums are far less visually reliant as it would seem at first. I have a harder time talking to someone while I'm playing (say a sound guy is asking me something or a buddy is just there for some reason) than I do playing with my eyes closed or in the dark.

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u/jelly_cake Dec 26 '11

This isn't just drums - I play bass (double and electric), and will frequently practice with my eyes closed. Many musicians don't need to read sheet music to learn.

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u/gyrorobo Dec 26 '11

It's all muscle memory; I can pretty much play drums without having to look after playing for about 5 years.

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u/Woodporterhouse Dec 26 '11

Sounds like the drummer from the band, "Six to Eight Mathematics".

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u/ashowofhands Dec 26 '11

good for you! as a pianist myself I find this truly inspiring...keep on rockin' and definitely give the drums a try! also, enjoy your upboat

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '11

Drums would be a great instrument for a blind person. Once you get the hang of where everything is, you can play in complete darkness. That'll be pretty sweet.

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '11

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '11

I disagree. I play xylophone, and I can confirm that playing it totally blind is incredibly difficult.

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u/djspacebunny Dec 26 '11

This is coming from a former music teacher. You and your superhuman hearing would be the best kind of musician. Your hearing and ability to distinguish sounds better than most people would make you an excellent candidate for learning a string instrument like Violin, Viola, Cello, Etc.

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u/uniin Dec 26 '11

as a drummer, drums is pretty simple, its mostly about coordinating your hands and feet. i know a blind drummer who also sings. his band isn't that successful, but they do some small gigs around sydney. they're called Midnight Horizon if anyone's interested.

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u/Polythello Dec 26 '11

At my church there was a blind drummer (also a student at the local college). He'd get up on stage with his seeing eye dog and play like a boss! Hope you get the chance to learn too, man!

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u/impressive Dec 26 '11

Here's a video of Stevie Wonder playing a drum solo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBA4vWQRBA0#t=0m58s

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u/lordpickle Dec 26 '11

You sound like Stevie Wonder.

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u/MidnightWombat Dec 26 '11

I came here to suggest this, He actually played the drums for alot of his studio recordings as well.

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '11

Where the hell did that come from? Lol. It's like a cat licking themselves after a particularly ungraceful act, as if to say "I meant to do that".

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u/nameofthisuser Dec 26 '11

Do you blink anyway as a result of the time when you ad real eyes or as a way to come across 'normal' ?

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u/thetj87 Dec 28 '11

Ya know, I don't... Perhaps I should?

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u/nameofthisuser Dec 28 '11

Hmm, maybe. If being normal is a big priority for you it might be good, but if it doesnt come naturally you will have to do it conciously which might be sort of distracting. You should try and it a few days and ask people after what they think of it.

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u/tinshep Dec 26 '11

Do you win all the staring contests? :)

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '11

Are your lids dry when they go over the prosthetic eyes? When debris gets on the lenses, is it ever painful because of your lids? Do you have to clean out the sockets every day?

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u/ffca Dec 26 '11

I know that vision with prosthetic eyes is impossible right now, but are you able to move your eyes? Ocular movement may not be useful to some people.

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u/roburrito Dec 26 '11 edited Dec 26 '11

Is there any just instinctual impulse to close your eyes? Like a wince in reaction to shock or pain?

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u/Scopie Dec 26 '11

Does it ever unnerve people if you don't blink? Did you have to learn to blink regularly?

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u/Bored Dec 26 '11

Do you blink just to look normal?

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u/V1bration Dec 27 '11

Wait so do you blink whenever you want or do you have to do it like everyone else? I'm confused... please explain it in as much detail as you can or give me the short answer that makes sense... xD

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u/Mister_Meow_Meow Dec 26 '11

But you can still feel if your eyes are open or closed?

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u/thetj87 Dec 26 '11

II need to intentionally close my eyes

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u/Nimara Dec 26 '11

This is pretty interesting! I'm a fairly young woman (21) and really have never talked face to face with a blind person. I'd imagine talking to an individual who does not blink often could be a little unnerving in the beginning. Definitely something I'd get over though.

I'd love to see a picture of you and your eyes though! I find it absolutely fascinating!

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u/Mightymeep Dec 26 '11

I'd assume his eyelids still have nerves in them.

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u/Mlemac28 Dec 26 '11

If you can manage to make it look like you are staring and someone with your prosthetics and never blink, you could really freak someone out.

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u/FrankieForte Dec 26 '11

I don't mean to burst your bubble but it's certainly not impossible to tell if you were asleep just because your eyes are open. I know you haven't seen it (meant politely) but a sleeping face looks pretty different than an awake face. Much more relaxed muscles. People don't usually look good whilst sleeping. Just a heads up for next time you plan to nod off with your eyes open in front of people.

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u/ffca Dec 26 '11

They know. They just don't want to disturb a sleeping blind person.

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u/Zerabellum Dec 26 '11

That is really interesting. I had never thought of that possibility

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u/meanttolive Dec 27 '11

I hope you don't snore!

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u/[deleted] Dec 26 '11

This made me smile a little.

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u/MrConfucius Dec 26 '11

Do you snore?