[Blindtlk] assumtions at the workplace

[Graves, Diane]

Hi Kathleen,

I can definitely relate.  You know, maybe it's just because I've dealt
with blindness all my life, but to me, it should simply be common sense
that blindness doesn't make someone less intelligent or more child like.
It drives me crazy.

I often ignore those comments too, and sometimes, I am guilty of
ignoring others whose "helpful" directions and comments are unnecessary.

I also, am willing to educate those who truly want to learn, but I am
tired of suffering the indignities of being some sighted person's "good
deed for the day."  The condescending treatment isn't acceptable for
other minorities, and blindness is no exception.
 


Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647
 
"IT is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver
 
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Kathleen Millhoff
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 8:13 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] assumtions at the workplace

I'm afraid I show a bit less restraint most of the time. Once a
student at the university said, "you remind me of my grandmother; you
can't tell your right from your left." and I said, "and up or down
either."
I've realized for a long time that sarcasm doesn't really make the
appropriate point, but I seem to persist in sending the wrong message
and not really educating a person. Sometimes, I just ignore comments
about blindness and pretend I don't know they're talking to me -, and
yes, another stereotype fulfilled.
But when people seem to genuinely want to understand or know
something, I'm all to willing to chat.


On 5/29/09, Robert J Smith <rsmith247 at csc.com> wrote:
> Speaking about assumptions made about us when we're walking -- one day
I
> had two in one day.  In the morning, when i was approaching the
> badge-driven entrance gate at the plant where I work, someone asked me
if
> I was looking for my dad.  I was in my early fifties at that time.  I
> calmly replied "no, I work here" as I moved the badge through the
reading
> slot and the gate let me in.
>
> Then, at the tail end of the day, I was starting to go down the big
main
> hallway which goes all the way across the building and then out.  I
> realized that I forgot something at my desk and abruptly turned around
and
> started walking back the other way to go back to the desk.  I take
quick,
> confident steps when I get to know a route.  However, someone who saw
me
> do the quick turnaround said "It must be bad not knowing where you are
all
> the time."  I said in an irritated, clipped voice "I forgot something
at
> my desk."  I actually felt like saying "I know where the HELL!!! I am,
I
> forgot something at my desk just as you could".  Getting hit with it
twice
> in one day added up for me and workwise, I didn't have that great a
day
> anyway.  Fortunately this doesn't happen often!
>
> Then another time a number of years ago, somebody told me on the way
in
> that he couldn't imagine anything worse than being blind.  I would
have
> tollerated it but the way he said it was particularly condesending so
I
> said "I don't know, being parilized from the neck down ought to be
pretty
> good".  He then actually replied "Well, I could still watch TV.  I
gave up
> with him at that point.  I wanted to say "Oh, wow, how long would that
> have lasted for you before you started going insane with bordom --
maybe
> two weeks?"
>
> Bob Smith
>
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-- 
kathy millhoff - "Let each morn be better than its eve, and each
morrow richer than its yesterday."

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