[blparent] Dealing with admiration from the public

[Star Gazer]

Good for you for moving your hoses. 
The barn owner didn't want to help you, she wanted to control you. There is
a fine line between the two and good for you for getting the horses out of
that situation. 


-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michelle
Creedy via blparent
Sent: Monday, January 5, 2015 6:32 PM
To: 'Jo Elizabeth Pinto'; 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Dealing with admiration from the public

Very good points. Remember that most people think that if they close their
eyes, that's what it's like to be blind. I just moved my miniature horses
away from a barn where the woman simply wouldn't accept that I don't need
help. After her comments to my sighted friend about my not wanting help and
my friend telling me afterwards that she grabbed my friend like she'd want
to grab me, I emailed her and moved the horses the next day. Some people
will never get it.

Michelle


-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jo
Elizabeth Pinto via blparent
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 3:06 PM
To: Tara Briggs; Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] Dealing with admiration from the public

Michelle had good advice as far as finding common ground in talking about
other people's children.  Also use humor when you can.  Tell something funny
that your child has done--that will get easier as your baby gets older and
begins walking and talking.  Or say something like, "Oh, I had a Wonder
Woman cape around somewhere.  I think I lost it in the chaos between
Halloween and Christmas."  But some of the admiration is just an
occupational hazard.  It ain't easy being amazing.  People put themselves in
your place and can't imagine how they could possibly parent without sight. 
Most of them could do it if they had to, but they don't know it, and there's
no use trying to convince them.  Changing the subject is a better idea, as
it letting their admiration roll off your back.  It's easier said than done,
believe me.  Some days it still gets to me.  But hey, all parents are
amazing when you really think about it.  Don't forget that.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tara Briggs via blparent
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 2:55 PM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] Dealing with admiration from the public

Dear collective wisdom:
Since I started bringing my little girl to church, I have had lots of
comments on what an amazing person iamb for being her blind parent. I get a
little bit frustrated by these comments, because I wish I could just be seen
as a mom who happens to be blind rather than a blind mom. My responses have
been: to give people the parenting without site manual, to talk about my
blind friends who are parents and their experiences, and to say thank you as
graciously as I can. However, when a stranger who doesn't know me at all
says that I am in credible I feel a little bit hurt. I have tried to think
of why. I think this is because she is not getting to know me as a person. 
She just sees that I'm a blind one. I'm not the one who's incredible, it's
the fact that a blind person is apparent that she finds incredible. Any
thoughts or advice?
Tara   briggs

Sent from my iPhone
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