Poll: Dating Someone Blind/Deaf/etc.

[dementis]

I've had a few friends with Varying degrees of deafness ranging from partially in one ear to complete (or near enough) and I didn't notice any difference in the way I treated them or the way they were treated by other friends so I can't see an issue with dating someone who's deaf.

I've never really known a blind person but I don't think I'd treat them any differently. Although I'd be worried about putting my foot in my mouth with what I say as I always seem to unintentionally offend or insult someone with my wording.
(I had to retype this as I said "I can't see myself treating a blind person any differently" and felt guilty for giggling to myself at the unintentional pun.)

 

[optimusjamie]

I'd at least give it a try, though I'm not sure that I'd be successful.

 

[mad825]

I would rather date a blind person, even though my hobbies are generally required to have a fairly decent eye sight, I can live without the company during those times as they are typically "me time" any way.

My biggest issues is communication so a deaf person would make things difficult for me.

 

[redknightalex]

I'd have to say no to the blind person.

The thing about blind people is that I really wouldn't be able to share any of my interests with them. I'm a very physical, outdoorsy person. I like going running, hiking, biking, swimming, etc. Those are mostly things that blind people can't do. Not to mention that my hobbies are also very visual (video games, movies, shooting). What's the point of dating someone if you can't share any of your interests with them?

I know others have called you out on this but I thought I'd add my two cents after thinking it over. Blindness, like any disability, is only as much of a problem as you make it. If a blind person wanted to go hiking, they could do it. I've seen it on the trails too; they normally have one or two other people with them to help with steps but it's doable. Same with running, swimming, biking, and even skiing. Whenever I'm on the slopes I normally see at least one blind skier group. It takes a lot of co-ordination but they have a lot of fun.

Also, have you never listened to a movie with your eyes closed? I find it fun to let my imagination run wild while only listening to the words and sound effects.

OT: I wouldn't care. I'm much more attracted to the personality of a person than any sort of physical characteristic they may have. In fact, most of the people I've dated would not be considered beautiful by conventional standards but they were to me. I've even dated a person with a hearing disability and while they would hear rather well with an aid, sometimes they would need to read my lips more carefully than other times. Even learned a few signs which was rather enjoyable.

And blind...no difference. I believe that if you truly care for a person you'll do whatever you can to help to support them, blind, deaf, or other handicap. May even make things more interesting.

 

[identifier]

Why not? It's not contagious, right? Do I have to wear a blindfold out of some inane courtesy if I choose to date a blind person? Are you mad?

It's their problem not mine. Unless they make it my problem I have no qualms about it.

 

[Sectan]

Yeh played Katawa Shoujo so I know a thing or two about dating the blind and deaf. (That's a joke, but it's still an awesome game.)

I wouldn't mind it at all besides a bit of awkwardness with communicating with someone who was deaf. I'd also have to make sure I wasn't overstepping my bounds trying to help somebody with something they're perfectly capable of doing on their own and shit like that. I guess that's about it.

 

[freaper]

I voted "unsure" but I'm leaning to "no". It depends, really, I've never had the situation arise before.

 

[Candidus]

Snip

The only experience I have of sign is with a pair of nurses with whom I used to be friends. They both learned to sign within the NHS, I think-- or privately, to improve their options in the NHS, I forget. Anyway, somewhere in the mix of work-related conversation that employed people seem to enjoy, I saw a few demonstrations by them.

It was a lot of hectic gesturing (some of it very crude and direct, not that I object to that at all, but maybe it'll help you identify which sign language it was), and a whole lot of emphasis on mouth movement while mute speaking. They seemed to enjoy it.

Although I never said a word, it was still remarked that I'd be useless at it. That if I refused to be as animated, their own tutor would literally have told me "Not to bother then".

Disregarding that, and taking in what you said, maybe my input would change. Love is an excellent motivator, so if there were a way for me to sign without going beyond the tolerances (and intolerances) that along with my other facets make me up, I would do it for someone for whom I'd already developed an affection.

 

[verdant monkai]

Holy crap someone else on the escapist who knows about KS! Lucky day

Is that big O'l Hisao I spy on that avatar?

Spoiler

I have to replay Katawa Shojou some time, but if I do I think it would be more of a game and less of the love story I experienced the first time. When I got Hanako's perfect ending. It's more of a visual novel but I sort of count it as one of my crowning video game moments.

 

[Weaver]

For me blind would be more difficult, but I think I could do both.
That, or Katawa Shojo just made me think I could deal with it.

To be honest tough, at the rate my hearing is going, I should probably learn to sign sooner rather than later.

 

[Weaver]

Katawa Shoujo YES everyone play this game http://www.katawa-shoujo.com/download.php

I cry like a baby every time I play it.

Personally I wouldnt go for a deaf person as I like to talk a lot. But I would definitely go for a blind girl because it means I can put ZERO effort into my appearance! and still have someone who loves me. WIN.

Holy crap someone else on the escapist who knows about KS! Lucky day

A LOT of people here have played KS. It's pretty well known on this board. In fact, it's initial release news post was probably one of the most heavily commented news posts in this site's history.
We even have a fan group!

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Katawa-Shoujo-Fans

 

[Legion]

Katawa Shoujo YES everyone play this game http://www.katawa-shoujo.com/download.php

I cry like a baby every time I play it.

Personally I wouldnt go for a deaf person as I like to talk a lot. But I would definitely go for a blind girl because it means I can put ZERO effort into my appearance! and still have someone who loves me. WIN.

Holy crap someone else on the escapist who knows about KS! Lucky day

It is actually quite popular on here. One of our users has even done a fanfic based upon Hanako's perspective: Which can be seen right here.

Which reminds me, I should really finish Rin's story seeing as it is the only one that I haven't.

 

[omega 616]

I wouldn't rule them out but I'm sure I'd make blunders "hey you have to see/hear this, it's awesome! ... Shit, sorry!" or "what is your favorite song/colour? ... shit, sorry"

I don't get why it would be a problem, as far as I can tell the only thing that should effect partners is if you get along and attraction to each other. They could have no legs, no arms and deaf but if they are a nice person and you're attracted to them, then why not?

It's like "hey, would you eat mash that was food coloured red?" yeah 'cos it's just a different colour than what it should be, there is nothing wrong with it. Speaking of which and not to say this is a disability but it's like asking "would you date outside of your colour?" yeah, why not?

I think it would be pretty cold to say "I would date that person but they're deaf/blind".

 

[Drummodino]

Katawa Shoujo YES everyone play this game http://www.katawa-shoujo.com/download.php

I cry like a baby every time I play it.

Personally I wouldnt go for a deaf person as I like to talk a lot. But I would definitely go for a blind girl because it means I can put ZERO effort into my appearance! and still have someone who loves me. WIN.

Holy crap someone else on the escapist who knows about KS! Lucky day

It is actually quite popular on here. One of our users has even done a fanfic based upon Hanako's perspective: Which can be seen right here.

Which reminds me, I should really finish Rin's story seeing as it is the only one that I haven't.

Oh I'd highly recommend it, the level of feels is high.

 

[Beffudled Sheep_v1legacy]

I once walked headfirst into a blind person. Oh man, that was embarrassing.
Pointless personal anecdote aside I would have to say yes to both. Sure it would be more difficult in some situations but some of the fun of relationships is working at them so they work

I fell in love with a blind girl once too. Didn't work out. *shrug*

 

[DarkRyter]

Maybe it'll be a bit difficult. I might not have as many shared interests as I would a sighted or hearing abled person, but if the feelings are there, I'd be willing to make it work.

I am also obligated mention Katawa Shoujo. I totally played that game. Yeah.

 

[Erttheking]

I'd like to think that I would, but I have the nagging feeling that I might not be able to handle it. So I'm not sure.

 

[Asita]

Mmm...hard to say really. On the one hand I certainly wouldn't be opposed to trying with either the blind or the deaf. Whether or not that's simply idealism on my part though I can't say, as I have very little experience with the blind and the deaf to base my assumptions off of, so I'm going to have to go with an "Unsure", though I lean strongly towards "yes".

 

[RedDeadFred]

I put unsure since there was no option to date one but not the other. I would most definitely date a blind person but I don't know if I could date a deaf person. My biggest passion in life is music and not being able to share that with my partner would kind of depress me.

 

[immortalfrieza]

I could have a friendship with a blind/deaf/crippled/whatever person, but an actual romantic relationship? No. I doubt it would work out in the end in such a situation, and even if it did, I don't want to spend the rest of my life attending to anyone if I can avoid it. Someone I already care for who becomes blind/deaf/crippled/whatever I could live with attending to, but deliberately putting myself in such a situation? Not going to happen.