The Incident
In a TikTok posted on 7 September, user @chemg.o.d shared that he was berated by a bus driver for “flagging the bus too late.”
He went on to explain that he did not check his phone for the bus arrival time and did not notice the bus until it had gone outside the bus loading bay.
He realised that the danger of stopping the bus on the main road was probably what caused the driver to scold him.
@chemg.o.d went on to explain that he has an eye condition called cataracts and is partially blind, and as a result could not see the bus number clearly from afar.
He expressed his wish for bus drivers “to be more patient to people with eye conditions”, even holding up a pair of glasses he wears to have better contrast.
He concluded his story by sharing his encounter with a kind lady on the bus.
Supportive netizens Drown out Hate Comments
At first, there were many hate comments.
These users told @chemg.o.d to “be more grateful…”, and that he was “whiny…just deal with it”.
However, as the video gained traction, more commentators encouraged and sympathised with @chemg.o.d, telling him to “jiayou”(keep going).
Other commentators with disabilities stepped forward to encourage him:
Some comments even left suggestions on how he could identify the bus better and without further condemnation:
What are Cataracts?
To shed further light on @chemg.o.d’s situation, one comment explained: “cataracts cause eyes to be blurry with double vision and discolouration, meaning white [is seen as] cream or light yellow.”
Cataracts, according to online health website Mayo Clinic, are a clouding of the eye lenses. It is akin to seeing through a foggy window, and can affect minute things such as reading, driving, or identifying a friend’s expression. Symptoms may include a sensitivity to lights, difficulty seeing at night, fading of colours, or blurry vision.
Cataract treatment can include stronger lighting or glasses such as the contrast improving glasses @chemg.o.d has. If the symptoms persist, cataracts can be cured through generally risk-free surgery.
Responding to a comment, @chemg.o.d stated he will go for cataract surgery next month.
The Kindness of Strangers
In a follow up video, @chemg.o.d elaborated on his everyday life with his condition.
Responding to a comment that suggests he wears the “May I have a seat please?” disability awareness card with lanyard, he holds up the card with a smile.
While wearing the card, a little boy offered him his seat.
A lady even encouraged him to sit down, greatly touching him.
He finishes the video by thanking everyone for their kind comments, while also sharing that he will be using an umbrella for his and others’ safety.
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