[Faith-talk] the blind jesus

Fri May 23 19:10:06 UTC 2014

Debby,

Exactly; took the words from my mouth. I'm a young adult and get down about 
the problems faced by me from being low vision. I had a harder time finding 
work experience in college and now trying to find employment is tough too. I 
also know the transit issue. I know the horrible inconvenience  of trying to 
schedule transportation in advance.

I also know what it is to be left out. In church growing up, I had good 
rapport with the adults, but with the kids it wasn't always easy. a few 
tried to be friendly but mostly I felt ignored and my parents tried to get 
me included  in all church activities; so this meant going to youth group or 
what we called
MYF.  Long story short, I wasn't included in some of the sports we played 
there.

However, I was included in many activities; for instance, my father and me 
went to a fellowship event called soup, song and story in lent. The soup was 
delicious and it was homemade. I could sing most of the songs since I knew 
them; could not read the song book but if I did not know it, I listened and 
joined in the refrain once I heard it sung.
I listened with awe to the stories and mingled with those at our table. I 
never felt slighted by being blind. I also tried to start conversations and 
include myself.
I've not had the bleak outlook at church and socialization
that this author portrays.

Andrew, I'm sorry you feel so depressed and I wish you get counseling.

But, frankly, I find the article to be a bit too negative and
could not even read it all. It makes it sound like blind people always mess 
up, cannot dress themselves with matching shoes, and worst of all always 
bump into things. This article was a disgusting portrayal of our 
capabilities.
We can match shoes and clothes; we know when a dog poops by the smell of it 
and we can read mail with a scanner or advanced planning for a reader.

In short, many of the issues this person brought up could be mitigated with 
some training such as labeling shoes, learning to use a scanner for the mail 
like court summons, and perhapsfeeling around for those pesky toys the 
grandkids left out.

I'm not trying to judge, but like everyone said, we have to do something for 
something to change or we can sit around at home and die a lonely life.

Ashley
Do I ocasionally mismatch shoes? Do I sometimes bump into items? Do I

-----Original Message----- 
From: debby phillips via Faith-talk
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2014 12:49 PM
To: Andrew ; Faith-talk,for the discussion of faith and religion ; 
faith-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Faith-talk] the blind jesus

Okay Andrew, ow get it, there are days when I get sick of being
blind, too.  But I think we all get sick of something in our
lives.  I have sighted friends who have huge problems, too.  They
have trouble getting jobs, they have trouble with their
marriages, friends betray them, stuff happens.  I have been left
out of family stuff too sometimes.  I have not been believed when
I give directions, or other information.  I get it that people
turn away from me at church, or don't talk to me.  I understand
all that.  I also understand Andrew that you are feeling really
angry and depressed.  I understand that you feel like there's
nothing ahead of you.  But Andrew, people have made suggestions
to you about what you might do.  I even said that I would
advocate for you to go to a Center here in the States to get some
training.  At some point, blind or not, we have to try and make
some things better for ourselves.  You need to do things to
change your own situation.  I know it's difficult.  I know it
sucks sometimes, in fact.  But I think that really life can be
very good.  You see, there are things that nobody can take away
from you, unless you let them.  Nobody can take your dignity.
Unless you give people more power in your life than they are
entitled to.  In order for things to happen in your life, you
have to make some changes, too.  It might mean moving physically
from where you are.  Maybe you need to consider moving to a city.
Your family may think you can't, and they may try to stop you.
But if you want a life, you have to take some action.  Believe it
or not, there are places here in the States that don't have good
services, where it's hard to go anywhere because there's no
public transportation, etc.  I was in that situation, and I took
a huge risk and went to the Colorado Center for the Blind, got
some training, and we moved to Spokane, where I do have public
transportation, sidewalks, where I can walk to places.  But I had
to do a lot of advocating for myself, getting my husband to see
my point of view.  Then he became more willing to think about
moving.  And now, we both love where we live.  Life isn't easy
and we do have to step out of our comfort zone.  I understand
that you may have some other issues going on besides your
blindness.  But I think there are solutions.  Perhaps someone has
the phone number, address etc.  of Paul and Mary Ellen Gabias.  I
know that they would help you.  I know Mary Ellen personally and
I know that she is a kind, resourceful person.     Blessings,
Debby

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