x
Breaking News
More () »

Blind community reacts to Bird Box Challenge

For the visually impaired, this challenge doesn't end when they take off the blindfold.

Netflix's newest blockbuster "Bird Box" is the talk of social media.

More than 45 million people have seen the movie starring Sandra Bullock.

Characters in the movie must wear blindfolds to protect themselves from sights that can turn them suicidal.

Now it's inspiring a dangerous trend called the Bird Box Challenge.

RELATED: The 'Bird Box Challenge' is now a thing, thanks to the popular Netflix movie

People are blindfolding themselves as they try navigate every day life. 

It's not going well.

"It seemed to be quite silly because the people do not have any sort of skills at all being visually impaired, and of course that's very dangerous," said Sue Buckley of Knoxville.

Dangerous enough that Netflix is telling people to stop.

"From experience it can be very dangerous when the challenge is going outside," said Buckley.

She would know.

Buckley lost her sight when she was in her mid-thirties and had to learn to live without her vision.

So she's a little frustrated to see people laughing while they bump into walls blindfolded.

"It kind of gives the wrong impression that someone can just put a blindfold on and do things, or get a real feeling of what it's like to have a visual impairment," she said.

Buckley isn't alone in this thought.

People took to Twitter to call out those taking the challenge, suggesting they donate to a vision charity or learn more about the disability.

"This one seems to have no purpose other than laughing at what it would be like," said Buckley.

She hopes there is good that can come from the Bird Box challenge.

"In some ways it's a compliment that people want to experience what it would be like," said Buckley.

But when challengers take their blindfolds off, she asks them to remember not everyone has that option.

Buckley and other visually impaired people ask that you refrain from doing the challenge unless you'd like to really understand what it's like to live blind.

And if you do, be careful, and do it inside.

Before You Leave, Check This Out