Nuestra Hermana

Discussing gender, class, race, orientation and every ism & phobia under the sun. Through the eyes & experiences of people of color. Allies always welcome.

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4 months ago 22 notes chronic illness light sensitivity something to think about

If you’ve ever done this before. Don’t.

Have you ever fucked around and tried to be a general ass to the driver in front of you by flashing your high beams over and over? Sure, you didn’t mean any harm because it’s just lights right?

Maybe one of your headlights was going out so you put on the high beams?

I barely made it home tonight. I’m still a little shaky as I write this, there is still a burning pain in my eyes and I’m closing this laptop as soon as I am done writing this down.

I normally have my glasses with me for when my vision blurs due to fatigue which is often due to chronic illness issues. Today was different.

I’d left my glasses in my mom’s purse when she was in the hospital this week and completely forgot about them. As I drove home tonight on the freeway, I noticed a car behind me with one extremely bright headlight riding the butt of my car.

I switched lanes because that light was so bright and my short economic car was directly affected in all mirrors by this large tall SUV.

They switched lanes as well. All three times. After the third lane change I tried to simply brave it out and keep driving. My vision continued to blur even more and I began to have a splintering headache. I got off on my exit thinking thank goodness, I’m going to be home soon.

They got off on the same exit. Same city.

They stayed behind me. By now, my vision was so blurred I just wanted to drive a straight line home since I know it by memory. I put my hand up and over the biggest mirror that was affecting me (rearview mirror). The person behind me noticed this and I suppose, found it hilarious so, they began to flash their high beams at me. Over and over.

When I finally turned in to my street I had my hand over the canister of mace in my pocket and I had my phone turned on. It wasn’t only becoming irritating it was a little scary.

Have you ever been in a situation like this? Have you been the perpetrator? Sometimes we do things without thinking of different bodies, literally. We don’t think about people who are differently abled.

I can only take so much stimulation & light. This act of what was probably hilarious fun for the driver behind me was frightening and physically harming to me.

I want to drink tea, stop shaking, close my eyes and hope the burning pain and strobe light shadows and headache subside.

(Source: nuestrahermana)

Post Notes

  1. letsplaysomeportal reblogged this from angrybrownbaby and added:
    This has happened to me like three times. And every time I get home, my heart is pounding, and it makes me hate driving...
  2. kosmonauttihai reblogged this from dolgematki
  3. dolgematki reblogged this from angrybrownbaby and added:
    This is horrible. I’ve had these exact same people driving behind me, and while I have no physical issues like the OP...
  4. angrybrownbaby reblogged this from nuestrahermana
  5. angrybrownbaby said: I am glad you made it okay. I have night vision issues and when people do that, it’s distressing to say the least.
  6. vin-rouge said: I’m glad you’re ok, but you should have called the cops.
  7. kryptoswag said: I’m really sorry you had to go through that. I’m not sure what gets over people when they start driving, but being on the road is always a rather nervous experience for me because of the hyper aggressive drivers in ATL. I’m glad you are okay though!
  8. mayra-quijotesca reblogged this from nuestrahermana and added:
    completely awful that someone would do this. It’s completely dangerous, not...mention...
  9. sanaa-tamir said: Ugh, that sounds horrible. *hugs if wanted* Bright lights give me migraines as well. D: And yeah, I’d be freaked out too if I was in that situation. That other driver was a douche.
  10. airellia said: The fuck is wrong with people? Ugh I’m so sorry that happened to you :-/
  11. severelycalm said: This is so horrible. Ugh, so sorry you had to go through that
  12. pepperminttealeaves said: Thank God you’re okay now, yeah? Thts some scary stuff, man .
  13. ethanology said: oh my god I’m sorry that happened to you. :( I really hate entitled people on the road who think they have a right to harass the people in front of them just to get some where or because they think it’s funny. feel better.
  14. atheologist said: Wow, that is horrible. I’m glad to hear you made it home safely. There are some horrible, horrible people out there.
  15. nuestrahermana posted this
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