[blindlaw] some questions

[Gerard Sadlier]

David's advice is good. Let's be honest about it, those attitudes were
probably pretty widespread in Europe/ the US 50 years ago and aren't
entirely gone yet.
Also, think of what life would be like if one were blind in say
Somalia? Do I need to say any more?

I've met a couple of extreme Christian types who'd probably derive
similar attitudes about blindness.
Fortunately, I didn't need to interact much.


On 8/5/11, Hyde, David W. (ESC) <david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us> wrote:
> I agree with the others who have responded. On a purely cultural level,
> blindness is viewed differently in his culture than it is in ours. Further,
> if his family comes from an Islamic background, and still holds to some of
> the tenants of the Koran and the Sharia, blindness is a condition to be
> pitied, and blind people are those who are specifically identified as
> recipients of charity. If these beliefs are deeply ingrained, there may be
> no hope of changing them. You might try, if this be the case, talking some
> someone at a local mosque. If they have a person whose opinion they value,
> and that person agrees with you, get him, or her, to intercede.
>
> Blindness in their country is almost always, an unmitigated tragedy. There
> are very few opportunities. Attitudes change very slowly. You may,
> ultimately, have to wed without their buy in. But try everything else first.
> If you don't, you will wish you had. If you do everything you can, then you
> can believe that you did your best. The parents may, eventually come around.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Beth
> Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 8:36 AM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindlaw] some questions
>
> Hi, guys.
> 	I have some questions about a cultural conflict going on with some people
> who are trying to prevent me and my current boyfriend from marrying.  They
> state that because we are both totally blind, we would 1. Not make good
> parents or are not fit to be parents.
> 2. Would be unable to perform everyday tasks when indeed we've both
> graduated from the Colorado Center for the Blind x number of months ago.
> 3. That my boyfriend would be bored and lonely.  These men are Somali, so
> they state he should also marry his own kind, surely a sign of
> discrimination.  They are not willing to change.  How should we deal with
> them?  Thanks.
> Beth
>
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-- 
Best wishes

Gerard Sadlier