There is one special thing about people who uses glasses. I can't point to what it is in particular but as a kid, I wanted to be like them. I asked my Dad to please get me one but he turns down my request each time.
But in Senior secondary school 2, I got my desire. I can't remember how it started but in a maths class I was asked a question and I couldn't answer. The teacher asked me to read the question out but I couldn't. Since I was new in the school, they all assumed that I'm another dullard who through connections got to be admitted into the school.
I moved few steps further and read the question, did a few mental calculations and answered the question. They were all amazed and the teacher looked around to see if someone gave me the answer. He dropped another question which I answered without any fuss. He took me to the principal's office and explained everything that transpired in class to her.
My parents were called, I was taken to an Optician. It was there I got to know that I'm short-sighted and I started using glasses. It is meant as correction glasses to correct my myopia. I wasn't excited like I thought I would be. I only use the glasses when lectures are on or when watching TV. Even most people find it hard to believe that I'm using glasses.
However, after reading @Sequoia 's article on " 3 major struggles of wearing glasses " I decided to write on the struggles people using glasses face each day. Truth be told, I can't say I've ever been affected by this because I am a mini bully that can't be bullied. lol. But I've seen people in situations like this facing a lot. Below are a few of them
Everyone believes you are intelligent
It seems people believe there's a form of superpower that comes with using glasses. People expect you to be intelligent. To be a nerd and always sit in the front row. I've heard someone say "what a waste of glasses" when a lady using glasses in my class couldn't answer a simple question.
The expectations on people using glasses are much. They expect you know more than others. They also expect you to be a bookworm. But when you don't tickle any of these boxes, they mock you. Though the only part I've heard people say to me is that I ought to be a nerd, gentle and shy. But I'm the direct opposite and when I see them say that about others, I'm always quick to defend them.
Name-calling
They call them diverse names. "Harry Potter, Awolowo, Ojukwu, Ojugo, four-eyed bird, snake eyes..." are a few of the names they call people using glasses. Maybe it's because people using glasses are always seated at the front and have the propensity to be more dedicated to studying than others, people tend to look for a way to get them demoralised.
They are bullied and even called names by the teachers. The whole class will laugh at the silliest jokes about them and this makes most of them crawl back into their shell. Since I'm one hell of a stubborn person, instead of being bullied, I bully them. So the usual victims of their mockery and bants are the ladies in the front row.
Pity when you are not with it
Though people can be rude and inconsiderate at times, just watch out for the day a student known to use glasses forgets it at home or misplaces it. The whole class pampers and pity him or her. Especially the ladies, they tend to be kind to people on glasses.
They offer to help them write their notes or borrow theirs. You will start wondering if it's the same set of people that were mocking you earlier or days before.
Conclusion
Though not everyone gets hurt or feel bad when called names or some weird assumptions are made about them, let try to be cautious and mindful of the words we say. It hurt some people more than others.
No matter the disability anyone has, let not use it as a new title for them or a prefix to their names. Some might be quiet but deep down they are not happy about it.
Thanks for reading!🤗💚🤗
Side notes
Awolowo: A Nigerian politician known for his deeds and the big eye glasses he wears
Ojukwu:Doesn't use glasses but "Oju" means "eyes" in Yoruba
Ojugo: Since "Oju" means "eye" and "igo" means "glasses". They combine the two to form "Glass-eye"
This is the big problem of the Society supper judgemental. If your wearing eyeglass just to clear your vision they'll tell you a nerd or what or just feeling nerd but when you not use any eyeglass even you have a poor eyesight they'll pity you and no human on earth want to be pity or weak on the eye of others so it's very offensive .I really don't get why people judge.