[nabs-l] Socializing skills and asking favors

[Gerardo Corripio]

   Hi guys: Great topic on cane and independence! Really hit home because 
I'm in the process of also trying to get more independent in going out with 
friends and the like since I'm getting tired of staying home all day and 
depending on people to take me here and there! So my questions are:
1.-Suppose I hear my cousins or friends say they're going to a movie or out 
to eat. How can I ask if I can go or should I wait for them to invite me if 
I want to go? Surely they won't because I feel they're afraid of not knowing 
how to cope with a blind person because in order for me to get schooling and 
such we had to leave my native town and now my cousins are afraid and don't 
know how to cope with me or already have their own group made up and are 
afraid to have me join.
2.-I already have figured out that while guiding me around I'll use the cane 
in one hand and sighted guide in the other so there's no problem there.
3.-While in the movie (unfortunately here in Mexico there's still no such 
thing as DVS in theaters as you guys) is it all right to ask my cousin or 
friend next to me to when they're no dialogues to tell me what's happening 
in the film or should I try and figure it out? Because if they tell me I 
will be more able to discuss the film like the sighted people because I 
don't feel as part of the group while I hear comments on the film while I'm 
not able to join in them in due form since probably I wasn't able to get all 
out of the film.
All my questions for now but surely more will pop up as the days and weeks 
go by.
Gerardo