[Blindtlk] my top 10 list

Sat Mar 5 12:40:51 UTC 2011

Hi Sherri,
I would tend to believe that we all have had similar encounters with some
minor twists and variations of these.  While on the University of La Crosse
campus back in the mid-90's, I was approached by a student who was part of
the Student PETA group who told me that what I was doing to my dog was
animal abuse and cruelty.  What was I doing...working him.  
In regards to being on our transit system, I once had someone come up to me
while I was sitting and they were exiting.  They took my right hand, put
some cash in it, and walked away and said God Bless you.  I was really
hoping they made it worth both my time and theirs and put a $20 bill in it
or something/grin!  Unfortunately, the driver saw the whole thing, and
basically said, wow!  When I asked how much it was, he said $1...damn!  
Sometimes, one just has to sit back and wonder in amazement what people are
thinking, but coming from the sighted world, it wasn't until after I lost my
sight that I met someone else who was blind.  Or, was it that I just wasn't
aware?  Now that I am in my mid-40's I just don't get to upset about how
society perceives me.  We as humans are curious creatures, and the questions
from my perspective, are not ones of idiocracy, stupidity or otherwise, but
just that of curiosity ranging from the medical professionals down to little
children.  My experience, and I can only assume that it is similar to many
of yours, is that the questions they are asking are not what they are
meaning.  For instance, when I have been asked how do you dress, I simply,
ask them the exact same question in response, Let's think about this, how do
You dress?  Then, it creates an opportunity for more educational dialogue to
unfold.  I tend to see that people are very cautious, somewhat tense, and
are uncertain when they approach as they feel that they might offend, so
rather than jumping on them and responding in a manner that will leave a bad
taste in their mouth, seize the opportunity to engage in a conversation and
let them know that you are no different from anyone else.  
However,  I do have to say that as a hunter I do get a lot of questions, and
I am quite sure, looks of amazement.  So, when I am asked how do you hunt,
of course the smart-ass answer is always going to be...sound shots/grin
followed by much laughter!  Again, it is this type of response that creates
the opportunity for more intense conversation to unfold, and then I can tell
them how I do hunt.  
While on campus, I was many times approached by students who seemed unsure
of themselves, and rather timid and as they would clear their throats the
question that so many of us get...may I ask, how did you lose your sight?
The best answer if you are a college student is...drinking grain alcohol and
masturbation of course...OMG, it would allow for that tenseness to come to
an immediate hault and to even build some awesome friendships too!  

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Sherri
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 10:20 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] my top 10 list

I can identify with several of these. A couple more to add. Said to me about

my  2-year-old daughter:  Oh she must b such a help to you."
About my guide dog, "Can your dog see when the light changes? Asked by an 
adult.

I've also had the creepy people at the bus stop pray for me too.

Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 04, 2011 3:10 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] my top 10 list

> Just for fun here's my top ten craziest things said about me list.
>
> 10."Do you know there's a lit candle in your bathroom? said to me by a 
> family member in my home where I lived alone.
> 9."Can she go by herself?" said to my husband by my stepdaughter as I was 
> leaving to run an errand.
> 8."Is she your sister?" said to my son by a cashier at a restaurant.  I 
> might look young, but not quite that young!
> 7."He must be a good friend for you." said about my guide dog by a 
> coworker.
> 6."Do you dress yourself?" said to me by a convenience store clerk.
> 5."I'll carry your bags out to your car." said to me by the grocery store 
> bagger.
> 4."Have your son sign this and return it to me." said to me by my son's 
> kindergarten teacher about notes regarding behavior.
> 3."He must be in training." said by a lot of people who are clueless about

> how guide dogs work.  The dog is good, but he doesn't read my mind.  I do 
> still have to give him directions.
> 2."Can I pray for you? said to me by some random creepy guy at the bus 
> stop.
> 1."She is always so happy..." 5 minute monologue given to my husband on my

> positive virtues by a Wal-Mart employee who must have seen me in the store

> several times or is a stalker.   Interestingly enough this occurred on 
> entering the store after an argument in the parking lot with my Kiddo 
> about items I was not going to be purchasing.
> Happy Friday!
> Julie
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