Tracy Boyd says that she cannot enjoy a shopping trip with her children without sparking other shoppers’ interest. The shoppers seem to be so intrigued that they often stop searching for items to stare and sometimes make comments to Tracy and her children. The onlookers are not stopping to witness the children’s unruly behavior, but to see how they are self sufficient while helping their mother.
Tracy Boyd is a parent who is blind. Chiffon, her guide dog, accompanies her wherever she goes. Tracy’s children do not see their mom as being ‘different’ and don’t get why people stare at her when the family is out and about. Tracy will sometimes ask her kids, “What are they staring at?” Her kids respond with, “I don’t know” and the family lets it go and continues with their day.
“I would like to think (people stare) because my children are adorable, or perhaps it’s because my guide dog Chiffon is so beautiful. Whatever the reason is, it is common place to have people stop and stare at us as we navigate stores and make our purchases.”
Tracy will often ask her children the price of certain items. She says she wonders what people think about when they hear her ask her children, “How much is that?” Tracy recalls asking her youngest son this question on a shopping trip. He was just learning prices so he would often tell just tell her in numbers without the dollar figure. A fellow shopper made the comment, “Oh, that’s so nice he’s helping you.” Tracy says that what the lady did not realize is that Tracy’s son was really helping himself. He had a price range he needed to stick with, and was learning whether the price range was above or below his limit.
Tracy praises her children for being ‘amazing readers and super shoppers’. She credits her children’s skills to having a mom who is blind which only expands their options. She gives the example of shopping for cereal. “If they want a certain cereal, they are more likely to get the particular brand that they want if they can read the box to find the one they are looking for.” This in return, teaches her children economics: how far a dollar can stretch and what a good value is.
Tracy’s children have also learned an important life lesson by having a parent who is blind, and that is patience. She boasts that her children’s experiences have also left them with a grateful heart.
Tracy hopes that one day the people that stare will look, smile, and look away. Tracy says she is just like any other parent raising her children.
“One day I hope that (people) will not stop shopping to stare hard, stop their conversations, all to watch a family shop with a blind parent.”
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