[Faith-talk] blindness as a gift

Sun Feb 9 02:20:39 UTC 2014

Hello everyone,
Perhaps I enjoy playing the contrary in just a little bit too much… but, as much as this mentality is understandable, particularly from the standpoint of faith, I just don't agree with it at all. Undoubtedly this is because I am no longer a person of faith, and I think it would be kind of tricky for me to conceive of blindness as a gift from God if I don't believe in God to begin with. :-) however, it isn't my aim to D convert you or change your way of thinking, I just wanted to add my thoughts into this very fascinating conversation.
First off, I think it's perfectly alright that I'm blind. I see blindness has nothing to be ashamed of, I see it as not being a significant hindrance to me in and of itself and, if you'll pardon the repetition of the phrase that has become something of a cliché, it's absolutely respectable to be blind. However, as much as I don't mind being blind, and as much as I'm thankful for the friends I have met because of my blindness, I certainly don't consider blindness in and of itself to be a blessing in my life. It's not a curse either… I just see it as a slightly annoying physical condition with a few indirect fringe benefits, which mostly boils down to the fantastic relationships I've been able to develop with other blind people, along with a few slightly irritating nuisances… And that's it.

Now I hope I don't offend anybody with what I'm about to say. That is not my intention at all. However, the idea that us blind folks relate to people in a totally different way because we cannot see, or we are somehow more apt to notice personality and ignore physical characteristics then our sighted counterparts is rather strange to me. I'm totally blind, have been all my life, but physical appearance is very important to me, Just like it is for most people, blindness be damned. I can't imagine dating an incredibly ugly person Who doesn't take care of her body at all, even if she were kinder then mother Teresa and smarter than Einstein. Similarly, I couldn't imagine myself being attracted to A woman without intelligence or a kind personality, even if she had the body of an Olympic gymnast… The point I'm trying to make is that being blind doesn't mean physical appearance is irrelevant and most blind people, myself included, often judge people based on superficial physical characteristics… I'm not saying that's right, but it is what it is.
Best,
Kirt

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 8, 2014, at 6:42 PM, "justin williams" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I've just never been partial to the blindness is bliss; open minded is good,
> but I like to no the same things everyone else knows so I can be on the
> level.  Give me the information, and let me decide whether I use it and how
> I do so.  You are right; everyone deserves the respect due to any human
> crack head or no.  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Faith-talk [mailto:faith-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Snow
> White Dove
> Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2014 8:16 PM
> To: Faith-talk, for the discussion of faith and religion
> Cc: Faith-talk, for the discussion of faith and religion
> Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] blindness as a gift
> 
> Hi there,
> Yes I agree with you also. I do know and understand being blind all the
> trappings that go along with it that are frankly a pain in the butt :-)
> 
> However, people can speak to me whatever crackheads are bombs or whatever at
> the bus terminal and I don't look at them in a foul way. Because I can't see
> them.
> I speak to them with respect and honor just as I would anyone else that
> wasn't a bummer crackhead.
> 
> I can even ignore if they're drunk or if they're hi, because unfortunately,
> radar years will tell us all :-) But for some reason. Not being able to see
> others on the outside. Makes us able to love people in the way that they
> have never been loved before on the inside.
> 
> I know, I have dated some of the most ugly people in the free world at least
> physically I mean LOL Anyhow, it's wonderful to be educators it's wonderful
> to be able to spread the word about braille  materials etc.
> I wouldn't get my site if You paid me.
> I was able to let some priest now about braille Orthodox materials that
> nobody knew about.
> It was wonderful to be able to share that with them then they spread the
> word. In fact, the priest that I shared that with one of them knew a few
> blind people that didn't have braille  materials.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> And sometimes. Literally. Blindness is bliss.
> Jenny Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On Feb 8, 2014, at 2:15 PM, debby phillips <semisweetdebby at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Aleha, I totally agree.  I have gotten to meet and talk to people that
> I never would have if I were sighted.  It's been my privilege from time to
> time to get to encourage people who are struggling.  They will sometimes
> listen to us when they won't listen to somebody who appears to have no
> weakness or disability.  I love your dog's name, by the way.  I'm hoping to
> be in the July class at Seeing Eye for a dog, as mine retired.    Blessings,
> Debby
>> 
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