[blparent] Disney World

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Erin,

We all have to make choices that work for us as individuals and that
we're comfortable with.  The comments Mary Jo and others have made about
perceptions and taking preferential treatment need to be viewed in
context.

Blindness itself is a sensory disability and does not affect our
physical being.  Cutting through a line at a theme park is intended for
those with mobility issues or other concerns that may make standing for
long periods difficult.  Again, blindness in no way creates a reason we
can't stand.  However, if blindness is compounded by a condition, such
as back pain, that causes you to have difficulty standing, I think we
would all agree this is a perfectly acceptable reason to use the special
line.

These comments were meant to be addressed to the issue of blindness and
not other conditions or disabilities.  Mary Jo's comments were not
directed to anyone who may have true physical concerns.  Obviously
cutting to the beginning of a line so you did not have to contend with
pain or instability, would be a reason why such a thing was created.
For those who do not have conditions making physical movement a problem,
though, they should consider how their actions affect the rest of us.
Yes we live our lives, and no, we shouldn't always have to make a point,
but in a world where blindness is still considered one of the worse
disabilities, perhaps we, who happen to be blind, should be more
cognizant of what we do and say and how this may be perceived.

Perhaps people won't think much if we cut to the beginning of a line,
but when cutting is not necessary, why take the chance of perpetuating
stereotypes and negative perceptions just to receive a perk?  We claim
we want equal treatment and to be normal, but then we take preferential
treatment- it's an oxymoron.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog for Live Well Nebraska.com at
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/

Message: 10
Date: Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:22:16 -0700
From: "Erin Rumer" <erinrumer at gmail.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "'Hartle, Jesse'" <JHartle at nfb.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] [blaring] Disney World
Message-ID: <002601cc682c$71d97c30$558c7490$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Everyone has their own opinions about things like the fast pass lanes
but for me, since I'm paying the same price that everyone else is and
missing out on a ton of visual entertainment, the fast pass evens it out
for me. Talk about saving time too!  A lot of popular rides can take up
to 90 minutes or longer and the fast pass lane takes long enough as it
is usually cutting 30 minutes or so off of that.  I guess it's not such
a huge deal if you get to go to DW every year since you have an ample
opportunity to see all the attractions, but when you have to save for
years to have a limited amount of time to see as many attractions as you
can, you have to try and make the most of your time.  I don't feel
entitled to get this perk, but I definitely don't feel guilty using it
since there are so many visual things I'm missing out on so it's making
my experience more enjoyable to make up for that.  I'm not insecure
about my disability at all and know that others aren't thinking of me
any differently for going through this kind of line and if some do, who
cares!  Those types are going to think things anyways so I might as well
get onto a ride in a reasonable amount of time.  In short, people who
are blind or visually impaired should just do what they personally feel
comfortable doing and try and be understanding and non-judgmental about
the different choice someone else makes.  Something else is that I have
chronic back pain that allows me to still do most everything but if I
had to stand in lines all day just to get onto a few rides I would be
torn up by the end of the day which would diminish my fun tremendously.
Sometimes we can really spoil our own fun just to try and prove a point.
My vote is to just have fun, take the few perks when they come because
they're rare, and relax and enjoy yourself.

Food for thought,

Erin