[nabs-l] Help-Philosophy Question

[Kerri Kosten]

Hi Candice:

This is very interesting.

I definitely think it is true to pick your battles. I was flying back
from Florida with my parents. In scrambling to find a flight, our
seats were in separate rows.
I did not mind this at all, as I like to be independent and after all
my parents were still on the same plane so I did not mind at all.
However, when we got on the plane and the flight attendant found out
our seats were separate and I was blind, she insisted on rearranging
the two seats so my mother and I could sit together.
At first, I was going to protest but decided against it because after
all it just meant my mother would be sitting together and apparently
the person who was in the seat beside my mother willingly moved. I
could have and maybe should have spoken up on the issue more but it
seemed minor and nobody seemed to be bothered by it so I decided that
battle wasn't one worth fighting.

However, I do not agree with a person trying to take my cane no matter
the situation. I would object to this and would not let it happen, but
I would try as hard as I could to state my points and objections as
politely as possible and try very hard not to cause a huge sceen.

Just my opinion.

Kerri

On 4/19/10, Candice Chapman <warren.mercy at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Dear NABS members,
>
> I recentally was in a situation where my NFB philosophy was put to the test.
> I was travelling with a friend who is totally blind by airplane and we got
> into a confrontational situation with the flight attendant. She insisted
> upon taking my friend's straight cane, but didn't have a problem with mine
> since it was teloscopic. Perhaps she assumed that storing the straight cane
> would be a hazard. My friend proceeded to have a loud, obnoxious verbal
> confrontation, that resulted in hold up of traffic and embarrassment on my
> part. Eventually the conflict, due to time constraint, my friend was finally
> mollified and allowed to keep her cane. However I can't help but wonder if
> there was a more diplomatic way to handle the situation. It brings to mind
> an article by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, perhaps you guys know it, it's in The
> Master, The Mission, The Movement. The article is titled, "Don't Throw the
> Nickel."
>
> How do you think the confrontation could have been handled more delicately?
> In the above article Dr.Jernigan referenced many situations in which you
> could choose your battle. Perhaps it's true that you can make a situation
> worse by escalating a said situation with a sighted person, rather than
> taking the high road. What are your thoughts on the art of negotiationg NFB
> philosophy? What might you suggest as potential alternatives to the above
> confrontation? I would like to hear all of your thoughts on the importance
> of our philosophy in the lives of blind people.
>
> Best,
> Candice Chapman
>
> P.S. The Article is attached for your convience. 		 	   		
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