[IL-Talk] Where do people get a license to put their hands on us?

[dandrews920 at comcast.net]

They think of us as children, so it is OK to grab.

Dave



-----Original Message-----
From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Leslie Hamric via
IL-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2022 10:54 AM
To: Iltalk <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Leslie Hamric <lhamric930 at comcast.net>
Subject: [IL-Talk] Where do people get a license to put their hands on us?

Good morning Federationists. Today I was going to an eye doctor appointment.
And from the door of the building to the elevator, and then up to the
office, I had a total of three people grab my arm. Of course, they thought
they were helping when they really weren't. So I decided to try a new
approach. Instead of saying, please don't grab, I said, please don't grab
it's not safe. You should see how they back off when they hear the words
it's not safe. And then, of course, each one got all apologetic. So, of
course, I did some educating and then they got it. And then, when I got down
the elevator back to the main entrance, a fourth person said, can I help you
and they grab my arm. So I started the process all over again. All we ask
for as blind people is an assumption of competence. Where did the cited
people get off thinking that they can just put their hands on us? I wish I
knew. But until then, I will keep educating.

Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher
Board member of National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division