[nabs-l] Help-Philosophy Question

[Anjelina]

Candice: what a great thought provoking article and question.
In my opinion, being confrontational isn't always productive. I've dealt 
with overly-helpful flight attendants' a few times who wanted to stow my 
cane somewhere else rather than let me put it along the window.
Once I did allow my cane to be placed in a nearby closet and had no problem 
having it returned if I needed to use it, but I generally try to calmly 
explain that my cane will not be a bother to the other passengers and the 
importance of having it close by.
I look forward to reading other responses.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Candice Chapman" <warren.mercy at hotmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 11:34 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] Help-Philosophy Question



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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