Be a joyful helper

Twitter (and other social media) can be heaven or hell. It’s not fun when a chain brand puts up a tweet like this screenshot as my screenreader cannot read it sensibly

This is how it sounds using voiceover.

https://youtu.be/MSZr6Exl-QM?si=ldSfECP2FJ76He6L

In a tweet like this sighted people automatically and subconsciously ignore the squares and squish the letters together to get the message. Those reliant on screenreaders have to brain gymnastics to work out what is important.

I wrote in reply:-

“@GreggsOfficial thank you for this totally unreadable tweet.

Since my screenreader cannot read it I can save money and my waistline (second thoughts the latter is beyond saving) as I’ve no idea what you’re trying to sell me.

Blind people however would like to know what it is.”

A random person replied with this description:-

“It’s a message saying “SAUSAGE ROLL IN BIO” but with blue and yellow blocks separating the letters in between the text, the tweet (or post) parodies the numerous bots saying things equally similar to this under comments (usually if not always pornography bots).”

And the same person followed up with:-

“god i really have to go into detail but whatever helps the disabled”

I quickly went from elated that someone would willingly describe the tweet to replying the following to the second tweet:-

“Oh look you ruined it by sounding like the @DWPgovuk when they are made to pay PIP after an appeal. If you found it an effort to describe you could have walked on by [name]
PS there’s no such thing as “the disabled” we’re not all amalgamated into a lump.”

Then I replied to their first tweet:-

“This is a wonderful description thank you.
It’s a shame you added the 2nd tweet making it sound like I gave you a burdensome task when I was asking @GreggsOfficial a question.”

Then I wrote my own Tweet quote tweeting the second tweet the person sent:-

“Don’t be like [name] and add a 2nd tweet giving the impression you are put upon because a blind person has asked @GreggsOfficial to explain their post and you chose to answer giving a brilliant description.
Disabled people don’t need your poo attitude. Scroll on by.

Then I finally uploaded my video with this tweet:-

“@GreggsOfficial just for your information this is what I hear as my screenreader reads your tweet (Voiceover on my Apple products)”.

Why is it important not to be like this random person with their begrudging attitude?

It’s hard to ask for help!

No harder than that…

It opens real vulnerability and can make people question their worth.

If you can’t be a joyful helper scroll on by on social media, and walk on by in real life… especially if we’ve asked someone else the question on social media, or your unsolicited offer of help is turned down in real life.

If you’ve just got a hero complex thinking we should be grateful you’re deigning to help… forget it!

If you need to dramatically tell everyone how much effort you made… forget it!

If you’re willing to help by describing what we cannot see, then getting on with your day without fuss or feeling you have to tell the world how good you’ve been… thank you for your help.

I remember the random stranger who helped me when I fell on a walk at the beginning of January

https://youtu.be/Gs0Q9GEUgUI?si=iyH3WeyMOjjEQVzy

He was the perfect helper. Note how he treated me like a human being had a quick chat as he initially walked past. It’s obvious he thought I must know what I’m doing since I’m alone in the middle of nowhere.

When he hears me fall he turns around and willing to help.

Though he reaches out to help me physically he withdraws his hand without hesitation or touching me as I get to my feet and once I’m up and I’ve confirmed again I’m fine he continues his walk and I continue mine.

Until next time.