[Ag-eq] Shows

[Jody W. Ianuzzi]

Hello Aleeha,

No, I haven't shown yet.  I will be showing in western events including 
barrel racing and eventually reining and pleasure.  I know of three blind 
barrel racers who Gallup just as fast as the sighted riders.

They might be some people who are scared or  who want to limit me because of 
their prejudice or their projected limitations but they better get out of my 
way because I don't plan to let them stop me.

Let me explain.  I am 57 years old.  When I went to school blind kids 
mainstreamed in public school were just expected to do everything the 
sighted kids did.  We had no aides, no hand holding and absolutely no 
concern over liability.

Now I know an eight year old boy who is not allowed to run on the playground 
without someone holding his hand.  Concerns of liability have gotten so 
extreme that it is outrageous.  I know a 14 year old blind girl who was on a 
bus with her class for 40 minutes when the bus driver refused to drive 
because there was no aide on the bus for the blind girl.

Now the thing that bothers me the most is that kids growing up in this 
environment actually think this is OK.  They believe there must really be a 
reason for caution and over concern because of their blindness.

To me, I have done everything anyone else has done making adjustments for 
being blind.  I have raised two children, refinished furniture, landscaped 
my houses, cooked holiday dinners and you name it.  I am a black belt 
martial artist and I qualified for my two black belts just like all the 
sighted members of my classes.  I am also a major in the civil air Patrol/ 
Air force Auxiliary and I am a mission qualified radio operator.

Have I had people say I can't do it because I am blind?  sure, but when they 
say it I just smile and say 'Watch me".

I am very concerned that my maverick attitude has been buried in so many 
blind kids who were just worn down to believe there must be a real reason 
why they have to only walk and trot.  the fact is this is just plain and 
simple prejudice.  They don't have a clue, they are just projecting the 
limitations they think they would have if they couldn't see.

I have spent a life time proving people wrong when they say "you can't do 
that" and I don't plan to stop now.

JODY