Good morning!

My name is Marina, and I am disabled. I was born with a visual impairment called Optic Nerve Hypoplasia Septooptic Dysplasia. This is a midline of the brain disorder, where my optic nerves don’t connect the images that I see to my brain. This disorder has brought perks in my life though, I get ahead in lines at the airport and concerts. I have also visited China and Thailand for stem cell transplants to improve my eyesight. I stayed in both places for one month, and both visits doubled my eyesight. This disability comes with other deficiencies, such as in my balance, smell, muscle tone, and others.

In Benny Lewis’s book, Fluent in Three Months, he has a section in his book about myth busting in language learning. Disabilities were on there! However, I am fortunate to have a vision disability, so I can still hear when people talk to me, and to have some vision. I am only blind in one eye. I do not necessarily know how to adapt to hearing disabilities, I do know there is a sign language for nearly every language. Though he didn’t say much about busting this myth, he was very encouraging! Especially since I have a disability.

It is a bit hard to read some of his books, so I usually read them along with an audiobook. Even his language hacking books have an audiobook that goes with them. I really appreciate him making the books as accessible as possible.

Italki with a disability is a bit difficult as well. I don’t usually tell teachers that I’m disabled, so sometimes they get a bit agitated when I am supposed to be looking at the chat on Skype that they just sent, but I didn’t see the notification. I tried to practice with a French teacher that fully relied on mirroring how his mouth was shaped and the chat. I naturally couldn’t follow his lessons very well, so he didn’t make it passed the trial lesson. I just don’t want the tutors to think that I can’t do as much because I can’t see.

I know if you are visually impaired like me, it will be hard to read signs and such so I wouldn’t focus on reading, and more talking. If you have your White Cane out, most tourists at least will be willing to help you. Focus on talking, and figuring out how to explain your condition and how to ask for help.

Especially in an airport, people are so willing to help! If someone is blind, in America, people will think they are doing the right thing if you’re walking alone and grab your elbow of the arm you are holding the White Cane in and pull you in a random direction. Without even asking you where you’re going. They have good intentions, but it’s a bit annoying and awkward.

Have a great week!

Marina.