[Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?

Fri Mar 4 19:31:28 UTC 2011

Dear All;
	I say there IS a speech, or at least an article in there!  I recall
a time when I was an Orientation Student in Iowa, Dr. Jernigan told about a
fruit basket a Federationist received at his workplace for Christmas.  He
placed it in a location so others could enjoy it.  One of his colleagues
found bars of soap under the apple he picked up!  The point of the story was
to illustrate how the sighted donor thought he was doing good by hiding the
soap, which the blind guy REALLY NEEDED, discreetly under the fruit.
(Apparently, the blind guy wasn't capable of knowing when he needed to buy
more soap.)  At first, I thought the story was funny, but it's not.  I feel
the same about all the posts about who bathes us.  We're in the 21st Century
and people are still this ignorant!  It's sad, but true!
	David has the best one I've read so far:  His cane can smell where
other people have walked and it serves as a curb feeler when he drives!
That's soooooooooooooooo funny!  
	I may as well start another discussion because of my own ignorance
and, perhaps incorrect, assumptions.  Does anyone out there know a senior
military officer or have a relative who is one?  I've often wonder what
senior officers think of blind people.  Do they consider us totally useless?
Are they patronizing?  After all, they fought tooth and nail to keep vending
stands out of the Pentagon once upon a time and many of them are affiliated
with NISH and NIB after they retire.  Has anyone ideas?
	I'll also say that there seems to be an inverse correlation between
the amount of specialize education someone has had and their ignorance about
blindness.  I've found that doctors, lawyers, and professors and some of the
most ignorant people I've ever encountered in that respect.  
Sincerely,
Mary McGee

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of David Evans
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 12:54 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?

Dear Ray,

How about a banquet speech instead.

David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Foret Jr" <rforetjr at att.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 1:44 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?

> Somehow, I see a monitor article coming out of this.  Thoughts Gary?  Or, 
> am I being presumptuous?
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> Facebook:
> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1
>
> On Mar 4, 2011, at 11:48 AM, Bernadetta Pracon wrote:
>
>> Hi Everyone:
>> While I agree with the opinion that we  should probably refrain from 
>> using inflammatory phrases or words based on the fact that this list is 
>> publicly archived, I see another side to this argument. Sure, most people

>> who don't normally encounter those of us who are   blind or visually 
>> impaired are not going to know very much about how we live day to day. 
>> They  will most likely have some   preconceived assumptions about us. But

>> just because they do not know much about blindness does not mean we have 
>> to acquiesse to their ignorance. Of course, we can't verbally beat them 
>> up for assuming things about us, and we should educate where necessary, 
>> but we are allowed to have our rants now and then. Especially when the 
>> comments and assumptions made about us are overly ignorant and in a way, 
>> almost insulting. In many cases, these people are well meaning, and they 
>> are not conscious that their assumptions are rediculous to us, and with a

>> little bit of education they get on the right track.
>> However, a comment such as "who bathes you", said from one grown man to 
>> another, not to mention a doctor, is sort of inexcusable. It's the kind 
>> of question a child would ask, because they really didn't know any 
>> better. Someone educated to be a doctor should most certainly know 
>> better. Therefore, I think we can allow ourselves a little leeway 
>> regarding etiquette under the circumstance.
>> And look at it this way: If a sighted person does see a message on this 
>> topic with the word "idiot" in it, they might just wake up to the fact 
>> that blind people aren't angels who won't flinch under the weight of 
>> insult and ignorance. I say this not to be a radical snob, but because I 
>> realize that sometimes, sighted people expect us to be docile, 
>> well-behaved people due to our disibility, and it's not welcome or 
>> expected of us to express  our feelings of shock and  ridicule. If they 
>> see a little rant now and then as a response to something ignorant that 
>> was said, it might just make us appear a little more human. Of course, 
>> it's a given to us that we are every bit as human as our sighted 
>> counterparts, but our response to this sort of thing might just make that

>> point come across a little more clearly.
>> Now, I am not at all suggesting we throw away all inhibitions and start 
>> writing posts that are dirogatory. We shouldn't go around calling people 
>> names such as idiot and the like. That's not right, and it doesn't 
>> accomplish anything. That being said, I have to admit against my better 
>> judgement, that sometimes, they just plain ask for it.
>>
>> On a lighter note:
>> I think that Marion's response to the doctor was witty and clever. 
>> Definitely better than if he had called him an idiot. lol
>>
>> Just my two cents guys. Sorry for the somewhat lengthy post.
>>
>> All Best,
>> Bernadetta
>>
>> -- 
>> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit 
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>>
>>
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