[blparent] This American Life and positive images of

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Okay, this is just stupid, sorry. It doesn't take a rocket scientist, or
sighted person, to find their way around a hotel room. I see no reason
why it would be a problem to contact anyone about the ridiculousness of
this portrayal. Mr. Knighton sounds like an ignorant baffoon who didn't
believe it necessary to actually learn things instead of bumbling his
way through life as portrayed by the controversial cartoon Mr. Magoo.
It's not even a matter of training or differing philosophies; to not be
able to find your way around a hotel room is just plain stupidity. And
what representation of blindness, and really humanity, is portrayed by
this guy? I am totally blind and have never, never struggled with the
"things" Mr. Knighton says he did. It has nothing to do with blindness
and everything to do with a perception amplified by a bumbling idiot who
probably has no place speaking for parents or blind people.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 11:18:22 -0700
From: Lisamaria Martinez <lmartinez217 at gmail.com>
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [blparent] This American Life and positive images of
	blindness and blind parenting in the media
Message-ID:
	
<CAKa0n1ByC+QjF0jA9ZxmdKP1LtVURZicnGjWOHLcVR_iA7rg3A at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I'm forwarding this email from a friend of mine who posted to the NfBC
listserv. I thought it relevant to blind parenting. I believe, too, we
had a discussion about this a few months ago although I have to admit I
didn't read the thread.

LM


---------- Forwarded message ----------

	Hello.  Last Thursday, my partner and I went to see the 2012
edition of This American Life in theaters, to be rebroadcast on Tuesday
May 15, 2012 in a theater near you.  The show begins with a story from
Ryan
Knighton, a blind Canadian	 author, relating how he got lost in his
hotel
room and was unable to find the telephone and so was unable to call his
wife.  After this 10 minute introduction, the show begins and Knighton
appears live in the New York theater, where he relates another story
about how he became afraid that he and his daughter were going to be
eaten by a bear only to discover that his daughter was upset because she
dropped her teddy bear.
	I am concerned that this portrayal of blind folks in the media
grossly misrepresents our capabilities and reinforces stereotypical
images about how well we are able to travel in the world, and, more
importantly, care for and raise our children safely and responsibly.
	I am thinking of writing a letter to the folks at This American
Life, but before I do, I'd like other NFB members  to see this show and
provide feedback as to whether you think I'm off the mark by feeling
concerned by this piece of popular media.  As an organization of the
Blind, I feel it is important for us to be fair, balanced and reasonable
in our descriptions of issues we have with images of blind people in the
Media.  In other words, I do not want to come off as a person who has no
tolerance for views of other blind folks that doesn't match my own, and
I want to try and explain, in a reasonable manner, why it is that these
descriptions of blindness in daily life are harmful and detramental to
the success of blind folks around the nation.  I encourage you to go see
the show on Tuesday the 15th of May and let me know if you agree that
these portrayals of blindness are of concern. The experiences Ryan
relates about his life may be entirely reasonable for him, but I think
it is important for the folks at This American Life to understand that
these experiences are not representative  of blind people everywhere.  I
do not have children of my own, but I know many blind people who do, and
they have raised them safely with dignity and success. Yes, humorous
things happen to blind people and humorous things happen to people with
children, but in my view, the stories he relates, and the manner in
which he relates them do not express the idea that blind people can, and
do, successfully raise children on their own every day.
	If you see this show, and disagree with my concerns, please let
me know so I may understand how it is that I have totally misunderstood
the messages these segments convey.  Feel free to write me and let me
know your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Brian Buhrow