[Blindtlk] People How Asking How one Became Blind

[Kelby Carlson]

I've always found it funny the way people are so petrified of 
offending you when they ask you about your blindness.  I honestly 
can't recall a time when I've truly been upset when someone asks 
for information.  People love to ask me about my eyes, my 
technology, and (more than everything else) my dog.  Actually, 
I'll take the above statement back-the questions about the dog 
get irritating after awhile, but not because they're personal, 
it's just that they get asked so very often.  Nonetheless, I 
really don't mind answering people's questions.  As much as I 
think people should self-educate about a lot of things, not 
everyone is going to, so every bit of education and "good press" 
we can get out there helps us.

Kelby



 ----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Thu, 16 May 2013 16:03:53 -0700
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] People How Asking How one Became Blind

People are just so curious that they can't stand it so they ask.  
Frankly, I don't understand why so many of us get hung up about 
this or why many of us think this is so personal.  After all, if 
we truly believe that it is respectable to be blind, then we 
should just be able to answer the question without emotional 
trauma or angst.  We are always telling kids to ask about 
blindness rather than shy away from us.  I should think that what 
is true for kids should be so for adults also.
Alternatively, some people can't seem to figure out how to start 
a conversation without making eye contact so they ask about your 
blindness because it is what they're emotionally preoccupied 
with.  After all, we are a minority.
Relax and just go with the flow.

Mike Freeman


On May 16, 2013, at 15:05, wogg le4 <woggle4 at gmail.com> wrote:

 Hi, I often people ask what is a personal question when they 
don't
 know one very well.  Why do they feel justified in doing so?

 I have no difficulty in discussing the subject but don't always 
think
 it appropriate in the particular context.

 this email was prompted by a girl who remarked that she had 
wondered
 about this all the time she knew me.

 I think she's a bit wierd anyway - it just got me thinking, as 
I'm
 currently stuck on a train sitting beside this girl, struggling 
to
 make conversation, which I'm finding particularly difficult - 
she
 really is an annoying individual.

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