Any other klutzes in the house?

My husband is a big guy — strangers regularly address him as “boss.” But he whines like a baby whenever I ever-so-slightly elbow him in the face. You know how when you’re trying to get settled in bed, you sometimes whack your partner with your arm? Or how you occasionally stomp on their feet? No? Then you are probably not stereoblind.

I’ve been clumsy my entire life, and it never occurred to me that this was because of my amblyopia and strabismus. But when I was working on my book, I discovered that clumsiness is the No. 1 reason kids get referred to vision therapists (after visibly misaligned eyes.) Suddenly, a lifetime of stubbed toes and mystery bruises made sense. I cannot see in 3D, so I flail my way through life — and as a result, I’m totally insensitive to minor collisions.

I wonder if this is why I’m also quick to shake off other kinds of minor misfortunes. If I mess up — overdraw my bank account, play a wrong note at a concert, accidentally offend someone — I rarely beat myself up over it. In fact, I probably should be more reflective about my mistakes, to avoid repeating them.

These days, Steve protects his face like a boxer whenever I’m getting settled in bed. It’s a little insulting, but also hilarious.

To my fellow amblyopies — were you also a clumsy kid?