Blind Lady Rant

I take public transportation to and from work every day...I hate it...but the alternative is me getting raped by gas prices, parking fees and shit tons of road rage. So not worth it! My animosity towards the CTA is not all about the dirty, stinky and unpunctual trains but more directed at my fellow riders. Every morning I get to my platform at about the exact same time and wait. As of recent there has been a blind woman that has chosen to ride at the same time. It's a free country, she can ride whenever she damn well pleases...but one of these days she is going to be pushed in front of the train.

The first incident with the blind lady was a week or so ago. She can hear the train approaching and she starts wiping her stick around hitting three people in the shins (including me), a garbage can, an abandoned pop bottle and a pole. Now, she can hear that the train is still coming...not fully stopped, so why she is thrashing her stick around at this particular moment is beyond me. I just moved back a foot so that I wouldn't take another hit to the shin. When the train stopped and opened it's doors, she put her stick at her side and started screaming, "Where's the door?" A man was nice enough to direct her to the door and help her to a seat, all the while she was yelling, "I need a seat!" Good! So do I! I wanted to ask her what she was doing wiping her stick around before the train stopped and then not using it when she was attempting to board the train. I didn't ask...that would have been rude!

The second incident was a day or two later. I get to my waiting spot and see her coming towards me...with her stick out...thrashing violently at shin level. I asked if she needed help, since she was not using her stick correctly and was about 8 inches from the drop into the lowered rails. She replied, "What do you think...I'm blind!" Um, okay...I will let that slide...I would be bitter and angry too if I was blind. I told her to "Stop, you are close to the edge...take about 4 steps to your right and you'll be good." She followed my instructions and didn't bother to thank me. Then the train approaches and same wiping stick action. When the doors opened, I told her, "go straight about 5 steps and you will be at the doors." Again, no thank you...but I don't mind, I was being selfless and doing my part as a nice human!

I have seen her about every morning since then and I have kind of stayed away...letting others take their turn helping out. I was also tired of being wiped in the shins every time she was around.

Third incident happened this morning. I was at my regular post and she was heading straight at me with her stick. I said, "Excuse me, you are going to hit people with that, you are in a good place to stand and wait, the doors will open right in front of you." No response...at this point I am thinking her hearing has also failed her. The train approaches and she starts yelling, "I need help...hello, I'm blind! Can someone help me on the train?" I walk over to her and tell her, "I'll help you on...put your stick down." The train doors open and I say "let's go straight ahead" while I place my hand on her elbow to help guide her which causes her to freak out and start thrashing around while yelling, "Don't touch me, I can do it myself...I'm not dumb, I'm blind!" I let her go and wanted to give her a bit of a push while telling her that, "I hope you get run over by a bus!" The other passengers looked at me, looked at her and then back at me. I was waiting for someone to verbally harass me for being mean to the disabled...but no...they heard the whole thing play out and asked if I was okay!

My first thought was that maybe she was insane, like schizo or something...but she seems completely sound of mind, just very angry about being blind. I totally get being angry...but I was trying to help. I am done with helping this woman and it will take a great deal of restraint to keep myself from pushing her fucking ass in front of the oncoming train!

On another note...

I hope all you Yanks have a great 4th of July...don't blow off any firecrackers in your hands, I would like you all to be able to leave comments for me on Thursday! To everyone not in the USA...have a happy Wednesday...don't blow yourself too much, I would like you to be able leave me comments on Thursday too!