[Blindtlk] Use of the Term Visually Impaired

[Carly Mihalakis]

Good afternoon, Penny,

         Indeed you are coming from a unique perspective, having 
observed your daughter's ocular world suddenly darkening and the 
transition she was compelled to make from functionally sighted, to 
functionally blind. Your experience has shown you for a fact that, 
ocular blindness ought not suggest a state of brokenness, or damage.
I believe you spot on when you say folk  oughta be the ones to decide 
a term that suits them personally, and nobody need be subject to any 
kind of label.
I would love to talk with you, if you're interested--I herald from 
Berkeley, California.
for today, Carly Mihalakis

Tardif wrote:
>Oh, Penny, that is excellent!  Your daughter is learning young, and 
>you are right, she is blind, and she is probably darn perfect, too.  Bravo!!!
>
>Mark Tardif
>Nuclear arms will not hold you.
>-----Original Message----- From: Penny Duffy
>Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 8:05 PM
>To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Use of the Term Visually Impaired
>
>I am a sighted parent of blind child who only lurks on this list. I wanted
>to give my perspective on this topic.   (i really hope you don't mind)
>
>My daughter lost almost all her central vision 3 year ago at the age of 6.
>While she does have some remaining sight we use the term blind. She is a
>braille and cane user.   She is blind and there isn't anything wrong with
>that.  When my daughter first became blind I couldn't even say the word
>blind.  It was a journey for us to discard the term visually impaired and
>use the term blind. I will say when i become comfortable saying blind and
>accepted my daughter's blindness she become more comfortable with herself
>and overcame the shame she felt for being blind.  I don't feel what any
>term one uses is better than one over the other. Its about how the term
>works for that person, be it blind, visually impaired, legally blind or
>what ever. If they are comfortable with who they are how can it be wrong
>its just a label.   I don't like the term visually impaired personally
>because it implies my daughter is broken and she isn't broken.  She is
>perfect.  Well pretty much...
>
>
>
>--Penny
>----------
>My Blog - visionfora.blogspot.com
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