[Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?

[Michelle Medina]

Ugh Chasity!!!! I'm with you, but most of the time I don't get
comments like that. Usually I'm with my family, using my cane, and
people will give dirty looks instead, or comment to each other, point,
stare or laugh.

On a much lighter note though, my Dad and I were in the store today
and this little girl Kate *maybe 2-3* kept running along side us
trying to get my cane and her mother was running behind her yelling:
'Kate! Kate! No, get back here! Kate!" Lol. I thought it was cute!

On 3/4/11, Chasity Jackson <chasityvanda at charter.net> wrote:
> What really gets me is this. I was at a concert last year around February.
> One of the people I met there happened to be a fan that I had on my
> facebook. She knew that I traveled there by myself. So she asks me, "Who
> takes care of you? Who is supposed to be taking care of you tonight?" I
> said, "I take care of myself." She said, "Oh come on seriously. Who takes
> care of you? I mean, someone has to be doing that. I know I would want
> someone taking care of me if I were blind." Seriously, if you are going to
> ask someone a question and you really want a realistic answer, at least be
> ready to trust the information you are given, otherwise what is the point of
> asking the question.
>
> Another person, who also had an idea that I travel independently made a
> comment that, "We all know you have adapted to your disability and being
> blind, but not enough to navigate up and down a hotel hall by yourself."
> Mind you, this person has never met me in person or seen me walk
> independently on my own, but that comment was made on my facebook page last
> year. Some of the stuff people say is just deplorable and apalling. No
> matter what you say to educate them, they think you're just acting cute or
> something. I think she thought I was being funny when I said I take care of
> myself. The problem I face when this happens is that demeaning comments like
> that quickly get me in a very nasty mood and I'm afraid that if I respond
> too quickly, I will say something really nasty and cause tention between
> people.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michelle Medina" <michellem86 at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 1:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?
>
>
>> Lol! It could be titled the top 10 most shocking *or dumb, or
>> whatever* questions we've been asked.
>>
>> On 3/4/11, Michelle Medina <michellem86 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Lol David, love that!
>>>
>>> On 3/4/11, David Evans <drevans at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Dear All,
>>>>
>>>> I have had my share of "How do you" questions in my life.
>>>> I have been asked how do I drive and get around as an example.  I have
>>>> answered many times that I just roll the passenger side window down and
>>>> drag
>>>> my cane tip along the curb.  Curb feelers are legal you know."
>>>>
>>>> I have kidded that I have a guide dog that is cross bread with a
>>>> greyhound
>>>> and runs along side the car on the drivers side when I drive on the
>>>> freeway.
>>>>
>>>> I have had a guy ask me how I use that cane to find my way around and I
>>>> joked that it works like a "divining rod" to find my way to where I want
>>>> to
>>>> go by smelling where other people have walked. An assistant to Doctor
>>>> Carl
>>>> Sagan, from the Nova TV show, once  ask me how I knew where I was going
>>>> and
>>>> how I knew when I arrived.  I teased him by saying that it was simple
>>>> physics.  I just followed a path where nothing got in my way and I
>>>> stopped
>>>> when something did.  He said that he thought that was logical.
>>>>
>>>> I tend to give smart lick answers to such questions, but at most times
>>>> give
>>>> people a good straight answer with the logic behind it depending on the
>>>> person and my mood.
>>>>
>>>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack
>>>> Former Nuclear/Aerospace Materials Engineer and builder of the Lunar
>>>> Rovers
>>>> and the F-117 Stealth Fighter
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Michelle Medina" <michellem86 at gmail.com>
>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 10:31 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> OMG!!!! Depending on how one looked at that, it'd be either hilarious
>>>>> or not so hilarious *say the person who was asked that question is
>>>>> super sensitive about the fact that they can't drive* for example.
>>>>> Again, I am stunned!
>>>>>
>>>>> On 3/4/11, Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> I have actually had that question too. Yesterday I think topped that
>>>>>> though.
>>>>>> I was at my college, walking with my guide dog. I mean actually
>>>>>> holding
>>>>>> on
>>>>>> to the harness handle and all. I got a bit lost, or turned around. And
>>>>>> stopped to ask directions. So a nice lady started to walk the way I
>>>>>> did.
>>>>>> So
>>>>>> here I am walking with my guide, can't see a bit in the world, and she
>>>>>> asks
>>>>>> me if I can drive? Oh and my guide dog has a sign on it saying, I am a
>>>>>> working dog do not pet. My harness says Seeing eye. Hello? LOL
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I was very polite, but thought afterwards, wow. Hope she wasn't a
>>>>>> professor
>>>>>> LOL
>>>>>>
>>>>>> marsha
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>>> On
>>>>>> Behalf Of Jeanette Fortin
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 9:38 AM
>>>>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> WELL I have had folks ask me who cooks for my kids and how much help
>>>>>> do
>>>>>> i
>>>>>> have come in to help, none, when we lived on the island we had a maid
>>>>>> but
>>>>>>
>>>>>> it
>>>>>>
>>>>>> was in support of the local islanders who needed work on the island to
>>>>>> support families, i also homeschooled my kids and folks couldn't
>>>>>> imagine
>>>>>> how
>>>>>>
>>>>>> a blind person  could teach anything, really?
>>>>>> just amazing, jeanette
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 5:11 AM
>>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Who Bathes You?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I went to see a dermatologist once who said, You're really clean! Who
>>>>>>>bathes you?" I expressed my dismay that a well educated person like a
>>>>>>>doctor would ask such an offensively stereotypical question, as I took
>>>>>>>out
>>>>>>>my business card and handed it to him.Then I asked him "Who bathes
>>>>>>> you?"
>>>>>>>He
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>apologized profusely, sharing that he understands how I feel because
>>>>>>>he
>>>>>>>has
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>a clubbed foot! There's no accounting for convoluted logic! In the
>>>>>>> words
>>>>>>>of
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Archie Bunker, "That's the kind of straight thinking we need
>>>>>>>nowadays!"
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>>>> Marion
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Michelle Medina" <michellem86 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011 12:05 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Responses of Medical Professionals.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'd have been absolutely furious!!!! In fact, I must confess, I may
>>>>>>>> have accidentally *purposely* stabbed her hand or arm as my food was
>>>>>>>> spinning by.
>>>>>>>> Chelle
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 3/3/11, Hyde, David W. (ESC) <david.hyde at wcbvi.k12.wi.us> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> When I was a kid in Oregon, most blind children were treated at the
>>>>>>>>> University of Oregon Medical School. Being an RLF (now ROP,
>>>>>>>>> nothing's
>>>>>>>>> changed but the initials) child, all the interns took a look at me.
>>>>>>>>> Looking
>>>>>>>>> back, I don't remember any of them introducing themselves, but they
>>>>>>>>> sure
>>>>>>>>> loved working with the pressure gage and the slit lamp.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> My best medical story, though, comes from eye surgery in the
>>>>>>>>> seventies.
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>> was in the hospital after surgery, and was getting my first real
>>>>>>>>> meal.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>> know that there was something on my chart that said I was blind,
>>>>>>>>> since,
>>>>>>>>> after all, the bandages over the eyes wouldn't give any clue. The
>>>>>>>>> service
>>>>>>>>> staff came in, and put the food tray on the table over the bed, and
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>> thanked her, assuming our interaction was done. She looked at me,
>>>>>>>>> looked
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>> my wife who was in the room, and turned the tray 180 degrees. I
>>>>>>>>> thanked
>>>>>>>>> her
>>>>>>>>> again. She looked back at me, back at my wife and turned it again.
>>>>>>>>> After
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> third iteration, I confess I lost my patience and asked if I was
>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>> supposed to use a fork to stab something as it went by.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> It's funny now, but frustrating then.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
>>>>>>>>> On
>>>>>>>>> Behalf Of Mary Mc Gee
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2011 3:11 PM
>>>>>>>>> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Responses of Medical Professionals.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dear Fellow Federationists;
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>             I've read with interest all the posts about experiences
>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>> health care providers' offices.  I have some experiences I can
>>>>>>>>> throw
>>>>>>>>> into
>>>>>>>>> the mix.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>             First, I'll say that, because the cause of my blindness
>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>> albinism, I had a unique appearance that was impossible to hide
>>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>>> younger.  I was a student at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving
>>>>>>>>> School
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> ten years and, during that time, I went to the University of Iowa
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> free
>>>>>>>>> eye care-at least "they" called it eye care.  It was more on the
>>>>>>>>> order
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>> eye study because every med student, intern, and ophthalmology
>>>>>>>>> resident
>>>>>>>>> had
>>>>>>>>> to come examines the "albinotic eye" before I received any low
>>>>>>>>> vision
>>>>>>>>> glasses, etc. that would actually improve what little vision I
>>>>>>>>> have.
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>> felt
>>>>>>>>> like a zoo or circus animal on display because I was a condition
>>>>>>>>> rather
>>>>>>>>> than
>>>>>>>>> a person.  It hurt a lot and I'm not simply talking about all the
>>>>>>>>> lights
>>>>>>>>> shining in my eyes, but also the emotional pain it caused.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>             As an adult I've had some doctors who have been very
>>>>>>>>> nice
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> some who haven't.  The number of nice ones directly correlates with
>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>> various degrees-all doctors and staffs are nice now that I put
>>>>>>>>> "Attorney" on
>>>>>>>>> their intake forms.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>             But, when I first came to Des Moines in 1976, visited a
>>>>>>>>> neurologist because of migraine headaches.  He spent more time
>>>>>>>>> looking
>>>>>>>>> at my
>>>>>>>>> eyes than he did taking a history of the headaches.  I went to one
>>>>>>>>> doctor
>>>>>>>>> whose office staff handed the intake form to my driver too complete
>>>>>>>>> until I
>>>>>>>>> complained.  One time, when I went to an orthopedic surgeon's
>>>>>>>>> office
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>>>> expert consult to prepare for trial, I was greatly surprised that
>>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>>> spent
>>>>>>>>> fifteen minutes asking about my vision instead of my client's
>>>>>>>>> treatment.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>> simply told her that, if she billed for those extra minutes, she
>>>>>>>>> wouldn't be
>>>>>>>>> paid, because I would deduct that amount of time from my bill back
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> client.  She didn't argue and even apologized.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>             I'm fortunate that I currently have a sensitive, caring
>>>>>>>>> group of
>>>>>>>>> physicians.  I'll have to admit, though, that the trauma of the
>>>>>>>>> past
>>>>>>>>> plus my
>>>>>>>>> attorney's skepticism is quite hard to eliminate when I meet a new
>>>>>>>>> one.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>             The Iowa Department for the Blind has been doing a PR
>>>>>>>>> project
>>>>>>>>> with health care providers to educate them with the hope that fewer
>>>>>>>>> people
>>>>>>>>> will have unpleasant experiences when they need help.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>             I'd be interested in hearing if any of you, like me,
>>>>>>>>> were
>>>>>>>>> treated as a medical oddity at any time.
>>>>>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Mary L. McGee
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> NOTICE:  This E-mail (including attachments) is covered by the
>>>>>>>>> Electronic
>>>>>>>>> Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. Sections 2510-2521, is
>>>>>>>>> confidential
>>>>>>>>> and may be legally privileged.  If you are not the intended
>>>>>>>>> recipient,
>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>> are hereby notified that any tetention, dissemination,
>>>>>>>>> distribution,
>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>> copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.  Please reply
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> sender that you have received the message in error, then delete.
>>>>>>>>> Thank
>>>>>>>>> you.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> 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/david.hyde%40wcbvi
>>>>>> .k12.wi.us
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> 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/michellem86%40gmai
>>>>>> l.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> "FUCK YOU FOR KILLING ME!!!!" SHAUN MORGAN - "NEEDLES"
>>>>>>>> "THESE STAND FOR ME, NAME YOUR GOD AND BLEED THE FREAK!
>>>>>>>> I'D LIKE TO SEE, HOW YOU ALL WOULD BLEED FOR ME!" -LAYNE STALEY -
>>>>>>>> "BLEED THE FREAK"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> 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/blind411%40verizon
>>>>>> .net
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> 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/jeanette%40fortin-
>>>>>> home.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/marsha.drenth%40gm
>>>>>> ail.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
>>>>>> signature
>>>>>> database 5925 (20110304) __________
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.eset.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
>>>>>> signature
>>>>>> database 5925 (20110304) __________
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.eset.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/michellem86%40gmail.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> "FUCK YOU FOR KILLING ME!!!!" SHAUN MORGAN - "NEEDLES"
>>>>> "THESE STAND FOR ME, NAME YOUR GOD AND BLEED THE FREAK!
>>>>> I'D LIKE TO SEE, HOW YOU ALL WOULD BLEED FOR ME!" -LAYNE STALEY -
>>>>> "BLEED THE FREAK"
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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/drevans%40bellsouth.net
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> 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/michellem86%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> "FUCK YOU FOR KILLING ME!!!!" SHAUN MORGAN - "NEEDLES"
>>> "THESE STAND FOR ME, NAME YOUR GOD AND BLEED THE FREAK!
>>> I'D LIKE TO SEE, HOW YOU ALL WOULD BLEED FOR ME!" -LAYNE STALEY -
>>> "BLEED THE FREAK"
>>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> "FUCK YOU FOR KILLING ME!!!!" SHAUN MORGAN - "NEEDLES"
>> "THESE STAND FOR ME, NAME YOUR GOD AND BLEED THE FREAK!
>> I'D LIKE TO SEE, HOW YOU ALL WOULD BLEED FOR ME!" -LAYNE STALEY -
>> "BLEED THE FREAK"
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/chasityvanda%40charter.net
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/michellem86%40gmail.com
>


-- 
"FUCK YOU FOR KILLING ME!!!!" SHAUN MORGAN - "NEEDLES"
"THESE STAND FOR ME, NAME YOUR GOD AND BLEED THE FREAK!
I'D LIKE TO SEE, HOW YOU ALL WOULD BLEED FOR ME!" -LAYNE STALEY -
"BLEED THE FREAK"