[nabs-l] social interaction

[Carrie Gilmer]

I like your attitude Christopher, as a matter of fact it made my day, smile.

 
 
Carrie Gilmer, President
National Organization of Parents of Blind Children
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind
NFB National Center: 410-659-9314
Home Phone: 763-784-8590
carrie.gilmer at gmail.com
www.nfb.org/nopbc
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Christopher Kchao
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2008 7:09 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] social interaction

I don't think things are as bad as they might seem, and they certainly don't

need to be viewed in that kind of a negative light all the time. Treat 
everyone like they're ignorant and like they ask the "stupidest" questions 
and they won't want to learn anything. I don't have a huge problem with 
people asking questions as it shows that they at least want to gain some 
knowledge about the issue at hand. In my opinion, it really beats singling 
out an individual or group of people and making blind assumptions (pun not 
intended). Those kind of broad generalizations about anyone are  signs of 
self-imposed ignorance, if you will.
I can get around New York city and do so with moderate independence. Yes, 
I'll see a stranger now and then who's totally amazed at the skill, courage,

or idiocy involved in wanting to even take on such a task. The thing is 
this. I wouldn't be so quick to say that person is just flying off the 
handlebars, sizing me up and drawing conclusions based on what they think I 
can do. I don't think it really gets that personal. We're talking about the 
sighted majority who probably turn on the bathroom light just so they can 
brush their teeth. Often times, they look at themselves and aren't quite 
sure how they'd manage. A little education can go a long way, much as it may

bore some of us to tears.