[blparent] This American Life and positive images of

Thu May 24 15:48:02 UTC 2012

        He reminds me of the author of the book A Million Little Pieces.
Addicts called BS on this author and went public with why.

Oparah(sp?) touted him on her talk show and then braught him down too.

Any chance we could do something similar?

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deborah Kent Stein
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 5:49 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] This American Life and positive images of

I have the awful feeling that Mr. Knighton is deliberately exploiting the
public's negative stereotypes about blind people in order to advance himself
as an author and stand-up comic.  He couldn't possibly be as helpless as he
claims to be, but he tells stories that make people laugh, and they seem to
go for it.  True ineptness is sad but forgivable; exploitation of a bad
situation for personal gain is another story.

Debbie

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 3:11 PM
Subject: [blparent] This American Life and positive images of

> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blparent mailing list
> blparent at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blparent:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/dkent5817%40att.net

_______________________________________________
blparent mailing list
blparent at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blparent_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blparent:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blparent_nfbnet.org/rebecca.pickrell%40tasc.com
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message and any attachments or files transmitted with it (collectively, the "Message") are intended only for the addressee and may contain information that is privileged, proprietary and/or prohibited from disclosure by law or contract. If you are not the intended recipient: (a) please do not read, copy or retransmit the Message; (b) permanently delete and/or destroy all electronic and hard copies of the Message; (c) notify us by return email; and (d) you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of the Message is strictly prohibited.