Every disadvantage has its advantage.
Johan Cruyff
I am color blind, and happy about it. If you have been reading this blog then you would already have known know that from these earlier pieces I have written: “The Benefits of Color Blindness” and “Why We Disagree“.
It’s a challenge that I have learned to live with and overcome. In fact, I have learned to use it to my advantage, as a way to look at the world and see things that others might not.
To be sure, I could not become the doctor or pilot I once thought I wanted to be. But then again, had I not been color blind and became one of those, it would have been a different version of myself, not me. And, I am happy with me, flaws and all.
Still, I get reactions from others when they find out I am color blind, that suggest there is a gross misunderstanding of color blindedness, a condition which 8% or more of the male population enjoy.
Some people think it’s a disability, others think maybe it’s like seeing in black or white. So I was pleased to find this wonderful award winning short clip “Ishihara”, featured above, made by a color blind film student, that provides a nicely illustrated view of color blindness.
Some people think being color blind is like seeing in black and white
The good news is that the world continues to make progress in understanding the challenge of color blindness.
I ran into a good piece titled “Designer Blog“, written by Alex Bigman which focuses on designing for color blind audiences. Alex points out to designers that simple cues can be added to a design to make objects or information less ambiguous. He is right, and as more designers adopt these practices, the challenge of color blindedness will diminish in time.
I have learned that challenges, when handled well, can be the root of advantages. I have also learned that the world gets better at understanding and handling our various challenges, and that’s a good thing. My only worry? I will have to find another advantage. And I will.
The world gets better at understanding and handling our various challenges, and that's a good thing. Please Click To TweetWhat about you, what are you doing to turn your challenges into advantages?
You might like this piece on color blindness also…
The Benefits Of Color Blindness
Color blindness is usually classed as disability; however, in selected situations color blind people have an advantage over people with normal color vision.
I was pleased to learn over the past few years that all of my children are color blind. When they refer to other people, they always describe them by what they are wearing or doing – but never, by the color of their skin. They don’t appear to see race – a wonderful benefit of our nomadic global lifestyle. A most beautiful color blindness.
Brian, thanks for visiting. You could be proud of the way your kids are approaching skin color. It’s an amazing form of color blindness that I wish infected everyone.
Hi,
I’m a colorblind. i found out during a medical test for entering a flying school. at first i was devastated, but over the years i found that i wouldn’t be the same person i am now had i not been a colorblind. Somehow, I can see many things through uncommon perspective. I embrace my musical talent, i love my linguistic skill and my sense of humor (my friends would not last a day without it). Those abilities have always been on my side and save my life thousands of time. I will never trade them over the ability to see colors the way others do. i am unique and i want to keep it that way.
Lesmana, thank you for your comment. You have indeed discovered the advantages of being color blind.You should continue to celebrate your uniqueness and best wishes for the future.
I am color blind, I want to see what normal people would see just for fun, but without buying expensive lenses. Is their a website that will allow the color blind to see what the normal visioned see?