[Blindtlk] "Its not safe for someone who can't see"

[Nikki Wunderlich]

I probably would have said "if one of my children aren't welcome blind or 
not then none of us are and we won't be coming back!!
Nikki
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Penny Duffy" <pennyduffy at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 6:10 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] "Its not safe for someone who can't see"


>I am still very upset over this but I want to know what a good response
> would be.
>
> Today I had a wonderful visit to an historic site that is part of the
> National Park service with my son Sam.  My daughter Abby who is blind is
> away this week at the Perkins School.   There was an artist in residence
> there.  She was a little odd but i heard her mention that they where 
> having
> a class there for children .  the children would make casts of their 
> hands.
> It seemed like a great activity for Abby.
>
> The artist didn't know if there was space or if they where even having the
> class (due to no enrollment) really she didn't know anything (there is a
> number you call to make reservations)  When I mentioned my daughter who is
> blind would really love to go to this class she told me she would NOT
> recommend it.  That it was unsafe for blind person and said but your son 
> is
> welcome to take part if there is space and its sill going on.  I should 
> have
> responded right away  I should have went right to visitor center and
> complained.  I was shocked. I am still shocked.  The only reason I didn't
> talk to someone there is the day was about my son Sam and having an "Abby
> Free" day.  That and honestly I was so taken back by what happened. I 
> spoke
> with Sam in the car so he understood that what  was said was WRONG.
>
> I really don't feel this artist was projecting official national park 
> policy
> but she is still an employee of the park so she should have just not said
> anything.   I would never have mentioned Abby's blindness when making
> reservations because I would have seen it has irrelevant.  If its safe for 
> a
> sighted child 6 to 11 then it would be safe to a blind child 6 to 11. We 
> are
> talking about an art class not driving a car over a single lane bridge 
> over
> glass.
>
> We are not really interested in the class anymore (we have a lot of stuff
> going on) I am just really upset over comments by this artist.  I have 
> never
> had any one say Abby couldn't do anything.  I know there was people who
> thought that but no one ever pretty much implied "Your child is not 
> welcome"
>  Mind you I am only been dealing with Abby being blind for a year.
>
> I feel I should say something.  I just don't know what is a proper 
> response
> and what is me over reacting.
> -- 
> --Penny
> ----------
> Adventures with Abby - visionfora.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/nikki0222%40gmail.com
>