hello, I’m a totally blind university student, and yesterday something really unsettling happened to me. I’d like to hear how others deal with situations like this. I got off the bus near my home, but while crossing the street I lost my orientation. A group of people came up to me, and judging by their voices they seemed a bit odd. A man offered to help me. He walked with me for a bit, then said he didn’t know where my street was and handed me over to a woman. She took the arm I was holding my cane with. At one point she stopped, and I felt her take my iPhone out of my pocket. I pretended I hadn’t noticed, because I couldn’t see and didn’t know how to defend myself. When I realized she was leading me in the wrong direction, I told her “thanks, I’ll manage” and tried to get away. She came after me, asked if my phone had a passcode, and then demanded 100,000 forints to give it back. I said I had no money. She wouldn’t let me leave, but eventually handed the phone back so I could “type in the address” I wanted to go to. Instead, I called my friend to come down and guide me. I ran across the road without my cane (it was pinned against my body) and made it home safely. I’ve reported it to the police. One lesson I’ve learned: I will no longer keep my phone in my pocket. From now on, it goes in a belt bag. I’m also planning to get a personal alarm to attach to my bag strap. So my question is: how do you protect yourselves in situations like this? How do you tell genuine help from someone trying to take advantage of you? Any tips on personal alarms, accepting help from strangers, keeping valuables safe, or anything else would be really appreciated. Thanks!
If anything seems od, you already said so, don't interact in the first place. I don't quite understand how you suddenly got your phone back though? You can also have it in a pocket, but best to put it into a closable jacket one if in a big city where shit like this happens. If someone goes at my pocket I obviously stop them, if you just let them do their thing, they think they can do anything with you and that you're stupid, so if you keep acting like this, this might not be the last time. Just my first thoughts after reading.
Plus. Who'd say they then wouldn't have a gun too. Heck, you might not even know. Whatcha doing then. I'd rather not walk around that way over there. I might be scared to death.
Thats cute but the objection regarding getting helped was already responded and I agree with the arguement that you probably shouldn't take help from some strange rando. On the second point like yeah its true people will have different types of things they can use to hert you in an altercation, you have that no matter ware you are. In a sichuation you can only hope that you handle it in a smart way, also try avoiding areas ware you know vilint people might be.
Yes,belt bag is a good idea. Put the part of zipper opener under your forearm. I mean that you put your arm on the zipper part of it. Especially tto the part of opener. It's the difference between simply someone open it without hesitation or bump into your arm. Although this method is more usable with women's handbag, so reticule.
Victim blaming. -- (marchoffmann): If anything seems od, you already said so, don't interact in the first place. I don't quite understand how you suddenly got your phone back though? You can also have it in a pocket, but best to put it into a closable jacket one if in a big city where shit like this happens. If someone goes at my pocket I obviously stop them, if you just let them do their thing, they think they can do anything with you and that you're stupid, so if you keep acting like this, this might not be the last time. Just my first thoughts after reading. --
Or just giving tips for next time. What else should we do? It's not like he's the poor little blindie who can't defend himself, or doesn't know that there are bad people too, is he? -- (Tsunami): Victim blaming. -- (marchoffmann): If anything seems od, you already said so, don't interact in the first place. I don't quite understand how you suddenly got your phone back though? You can also have it in a pocket, but best to put it into a closable jacket one if in a big city where shit like this happens. If someone goes at my pocket I obviously stop them, if you just let them do their thing, they think they can do anything with you and that you're stupid, so if you keep acting like this, this might not be the last time. Just my first thoughts after reading. -- --
@13 it helps to get proper training on how a gun should be held and used for leagle reasons that also is a consitteration. The idea would be keep the person away from you a gun is a pritty good insentive to fuck off. Like yes it may not be easy to hit but even un trained shooters can hit and the fear of the gun is really the decideing factor. I know blind people who carry, to say that we couldn't use a gun or have a reason for having a gun and finding it useful for defence kind of falls flat and tbh if we can't use that there is nothing else you got. I would rather carry a gun for what value and stopping power it posably has then not have anything.
