[Faith-talk] blindness as a gift

Sun Feb 9 20:36:30 UTC 2014

Hello Kirt
I enjoyed your post, this is an interesting thread.  You said in part 
 >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.  >
As for me, totally blind since 1993, I just don't think about how people 
look and really don't care, but I do not think we take in more then sighted 
people, in fact, I think we miss a great deal in not seeing people's 
expressions, their eyes and nonverbal cues.
Maureen

-----Original Message----- 
From: Kirt
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2014 8:20 PM
To: Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] blindness as a gift

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
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Faith-talk mailing list
>> Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Faith-talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/jlperdue3%40gm
>> ail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Faith-talk mailing list
> Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Faith-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40g
> mail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Faith-talk mailing list
> Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Faith-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/kirt.crazydude%40gmail.com

_______________________________________________
Faith-talk mailing list
Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
Faith-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/maureensmusic%40comcast.net 