Author: Chris Westbrook

One of the things we struggle with as blind people is when to ask friends for help. I wouldn’t say I have things figured out completely, but here are some things I have figured out over the years.

Aira and Be My Eyes have greatly reduced the need for friends to become helpers. Having a sighted person at my fingertips essentially has been a game changer for my independence. I recently purchased a pair of Meta Ray-ban smart glasses which has allowed me to use these services hands free. Aira in particular has allowed me to do many tasks such as navigating inaccessible websites and changing settings on my thermostat to name a few. Grocery delivery and Uber have helped solve transportation issues for me. I am lucky that I live in a place where Uber is relatively inexpensive, I can get to most places I want for around $10 one way which isn’t too bad.

I am also lucky to have family relatively close by, though I try not to depend on them too much. Sometimes having a person physically with you is just faster, for example if you are trying to find something that has gone missing. In these cases it is necessary to rely on friends or family.

Some people say that if you need anything just call me, but the reality is often much different. People lead busy lives, and I try to take into account which one of my friends has the most availability when asking for the limited physical help I need. To me this is common curtesy. Factors might include time constraints, location, etc. I also never want my friends to feel obligated to help, but I have noticed some personalities just like to help more than others. I can usually pick this up pretty quickly upon meeting someone.

Staying organized is key to reducing the need for help. Always try to put things in the same place every time to avoid things going missing, for example. Keep a calendar so you know your schedule for any given day.

In conclusion, I try as much as I can to rely on technology such as Aira, instacart, or Uber to avoid having to ask my friends for too much help. I find it is just better for the relationship that way, and you are more likely to get help when you actually really do need it. I hope this article helps someone.

It’s Sunday morning, so that means getting ready for church. as I sit here pondering that thought, I realize how lucky I am to have a great church community. I currently attend Trinity Gospel Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Our church is very inclusive, not in the liberal any sin is accepted way, but anyone who wishes to be involved can find a place and a ministry there. We are biblically based, and our pastor preaches directly from the bible every week. I believe our welcoming spirit comes from our good doctrine. If we are taught from the bible to be more and more like Christ, that will mean being welcome to all, including those with disabilities.

I know not all people are so lucky. Growing up, we went to several local churches on and off. I don’t think I was properly included in any of them. I know it is tough to include people sometimes, especially in youth group where most of the kids want to play sports, but unfortunately not even a cursory effort was made. It is too bad that those churches missed the opportunity to share the gospel with our family through inclusiveness.

In probably the most famous bible verse, John 3:16, God says “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This is a powerful statement. Elsewhere in the bible it states that we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Because of this sin we are separated from God, but Jesus made a way for us to be reunited through his death on the cross. Unfortunately sometimes people won’t hear this message because of the way they have been treated and/or excluded. If you are attending church today, see how you can be more welcoming toward those with disabilities that go to your church or are in your community. Even saying hi goes a long way. Not having worship music too loud may help those of us who are hearing impaired or autistic better enjoy your service. Ask people with disabilities and/or their families what would be helpful to make them feel more included. Everyone’s needs are different. Feel free to ask questions in the comments. Together we can help build a more inclusive world starting with the church.

Hi to all readers. My name is Chris Westbrook, and I am a deaf blind Christian from Pennsylvania. I am totally blind and use a cochlear implant for hearing as well as a hearing aid. As the site indicates, I am blessed and blind, and I would like to explore both those topics in this blog. I have seen a lot of negativity surrounding blindness lately, and while not everything is perfect by a longshot, I want to display the positive aspects of living a full life while blind and hard of hearing.