[Blindtlk] FW: Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer

Fri Sep 24 01:10:34 UTC 2010

Hi, I wantd to explain myself, and ask, also, that we be a bit more
civilized and not tell people what to do such as "You need to lighten
up." That's the same as shooting down my opinion. You can simply say
you don't agree and then explain your opinion. Don't shoot down my
opinion.

I was not putting down Captain Smiley, nor saying that he didn't go
through a depressive time. I am sure he did, and I did as well. I lost
my vision very suddenly due to a chemical burn to the face. One day I
had correctable vision to 20/25 and the next day I woke up in the
hospital with eyes swollen shut and burns all over my face. I was
shocked when the doctor opened my eye toward the end of the first week
and I saw the blue light of the TV. If I had been able to, I would
have wept for joy that I could see colour, even if I couldn't see the
doctor's face right in front of me. But I couldn't even do that...cry,
I mean. My tear ducts were severely damaged by the burn as well and I
still have severe pain when I cry.

I say this to demonstrate that I know about the depression of sudden
onset of blindness. I'm not denying that it happens. But this reporter
emphasized on it as a main discussion point. She tells us what Captain
Smiley's assignment is, but I would have loved to hear more about his
work with the transition program, how he is helping wounded warriors
and is better able to understand them because he aas in their
position. But no, she focused on the time right after his injury, and
how horrible the accident was. Her voice was dripping with pity. I
think given a chance, Captain Smiley and his wife could have told a
much better story, but the reporter only wanted to hear about how
devastating the injuries were and how hard it has been for him, not
the wonderful work he is doing with the wounded warriors program (they
barely mention his work) nor his plans for the future.

That is what irritated me, her emphasis on that time period after the
injuries, as if it is something to emphasize. Depression after severe
injury is normal, and I don't think it had a place in this interview
as much as the interviewer obviously thought it did.

That's what I meant. So, please back and give me a break. I don't need
to "lighten up" any more than everyone who jumped all over my opinion,
tearing it to pieces and saying "No, you're wrong, so go back under
your rock until you agree with us."

On 9/23/10, cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
> I have been reading this feed, also you have to remember we have a great
> veterans division with the NFB as well.  The President of the NFBV is Dwight
> Sayer.
>
> This division if they have not posted yet has many who knows what it is like
> as well.
>
> The biggest compliment you can pay me is to recommend my services!
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> http://Echevarriatravel.com
> 1-866-580-5574
> Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Montrose Travel CST-1018299-10
> Affiliated as an Independent Contractor with Absolute Cruise and Travel Inc.
>
> join my yahoogroup
> echevarriatravel-subscribe at yahoogroups.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve P. Deeley" <stevep.deeley at insightbb.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 1:50 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] FW: Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
>
>
>> You don't think this guy was devastated when he became blind?  This was a
>> very positive news story, in my opinion.  This young captain would make an
>> excellent example for blind individuals who are negative and feeling sorry
>> for their current circumstances.
>>
>> Steve
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Ray Foret Jr" <rforetjr at comcast.net>
>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 1:24 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] FW: Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
>>
>>
>> > You need to get a clue.  She's rightk and, it's quite clear that she is.
>> > anybody with half a brain can see that.
>> >
>> > D
>> > Sincerely,
>> > The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>> >
>> > A Very Proud and Happy Mac User!!!
>> >
>> > E-Mail:
>> > rforetjr at comcast dot net
>> > Skype Name:
>> > barefootedray
>> >
>> > On Sep 23, 2010, at 11:51 AM, Steve P. Deeley wrote:
>> >
>> > you need to lighten up.
>> > Steve
>> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>> > To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> > Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 12:02 PM
>> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] FW: Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer
>> >
>> >
>> >> A small step forward for the military, but a big step back for the
>> >> image of blind people in my opinion. They talk about how devastating
>> >> losing his sight was, how he wanted to die, that his life was black
>> >> literally and figuratively, and how he broke down crying because his
>> >> life was so horribly changed.
>> >>
>> >> Captain Smiley tries to push that his life is normal. He makes light
>> >> of his wanting to have fun (surfing, mountain climbing, parachuting),
>> >> but the Fox announcer seems so shocked and awed that a blind person
>> >> could do such things.
>> >>
>> >> Good for Captain Smiley. I'm sure he'll go far and represent people
>> >> with visual impairment well, but this video certaionly doesn't.
>> >>
>> >> My two cents,
>> >>
>> >> On 9/23/10, Hyde, David W. (ESC) <david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us> wrote:
>> >>> I think this represents a small step forward by the military. They at
>> >>> least
>> >>> didn't give him a discharge and a thank you..
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/21915181
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> _______________________________________________
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>> >>>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> ~Jewel
>> >> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
>> >> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
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>> 02:34:00
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-- 
~Jewel
Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com