[nabs-l] Philosophy in society

Mon Feb 28 17:32:05 UTC 2011

I'm not quite sure that's what I took away from Kirt's e-mail.  Yes, I'm
sure there are blind people with low expectations and a sense of entitlement
resulting from their disability, but I don't know that every blind
unemployed person out there has found themselves in this situation on
account of being lazy or for lack of trying.  I've known three highly
competent blind people who were unemployed for a period of time for no other
reason than the poor state of the job market.  That being said, the job
market will remain competitive even when the economy bounces back, and
people, blind or otherwise, should be prepared to run the extra mile to make
themselves marketable.  For blind people unfortunately this means living in
cities with better public transportation, better education and plenty of
experience, whether it be paid or unpaid.  Writing list posts, producing
podcasts and maintaining blog journals will only get us so far on the resume
unless these activities are advancing one's objectives or directly relevant
to the position to which one is applying.

Joe

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.”--Sam Ewing
-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Anmol Bhatia
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 12:17 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Philosophy in society

Hello Kirt,
There is know need to ve to appologize since pretty much everything you said
in your previous email is mostly true. I just commend you for having the
courage to speak the trouth and for saying what I and I spect a few other
blind people think in a public blind list. But pretty much I agree with
everything you said about most blind people feeling the need of entitlement,
suffering from laziness,and having low expectation and how all this can be
classified as related to their disability. Frankly this frustrates me to
know extend.

Anmol

I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps
there is just a touch of yearning at times; but it is vague, like a breeze
among flowers.
Hellen Keller

--- On Sun, 2/27/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Philosophy in society
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Date: Sunday, February 27, 2011, 8:32 PM
> To all,
>   I have to appologize for my last email.  Most
> blind people, even the
> ones that frustrate me to no end, deserve more respect than
> I just
> gave.  I can only think of a few to whom all my last
> blanket
> statements apply.
>   Best,
> Kirt
> 
> On 2/27/11, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Serena,
> >   Absolutely.  I'm talking about
> those whose only diagnosed disability
> > is blindness.  But certainly their sense of
> entitlement, laziness, low
> > expectations and nonexistent work ethics could all be
> considered
> > disabilities, in their own right.
> >
> > On 2/27/11, Serena Cucco <serenacucco at verizon.net>
> wrote:
> >> Hi Kirt,
> >>
> >> I agree ... I know plenty of blind people (not on
> this list) who could
> >> definitely use better social skills.  Keep in
> mind, though, many blind
> >> people who only talk about blindness may have
> additional disabilities
> >> that
> >> make social interaction difficult.  I know
> plenty of these.
> >>
> >> Serena
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On
> >> Behalf
> >> Of Kirt Manwaring
> >> Sent: Sunday, February 27, 2011 2:07 AM
> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing
> list
> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Philosophy in society
> >>
> >> Arielle,
> >>   I really shouldn't beat a dead
> horse senseless.  But here I go again.
> >> :)
> >>   I suppose, strictly speaking,
> you're right.  To each his/her own.
> >> But I know plenty of blind people, a
> disproportionately large number,
> >> who don't know how to interact with the sighted
> public.  Their lives
> >> are blindness.  And they don't ever interact
> with anything, or anyone
> >> else.  It's no wonder, then, that we as a
> blind community sometimes
> >> get a bad rap for being narrow-minded, exclusive,
> and even eletist.
> >> Were a sighted person who didn't know a thing
> about blindness, and I
> >> were to meet at random one of the blind people who
> I currently
> >> know...odds are, I probably wouldn't be impressed
> enough to think of
> >> them as an equal.  Because, let's face it,
> too many blind people have
> >> been told their whole lives they can't succeed in
> the sighted world.
> >> And, because of that rediculous unspoken mantra,
> (maybe explicitly
> >> spoken sometimes, I don't know) they don't know
> how to handle
> >> themselves with sighted people when they need
> to.  I think we all know
> >> a good number of blind people who fit the
> description I just gave.  I
> >> know far too many.  So, on that front, I rest
> my case.
> >>   Now let's move on to the other
> issues you raised.  For those blind
> >> people who want blindness to basically be their
> whole identity...fine.
> >>  It's not my place to say they shouldn't do
> that.  It's certainly good
> >> to see qualified blind people working as cane
> travel instructors,
> >> braille teachers, rehab counselors, etc.  And
> I have just as much
> >> respect for a blind husband and wife as I would
> for a sighted couple,
> >> all other factors being equal, provided the blind
> spouses both have
> >> the skills they need to independently manage a
> marriage and, if they
> >> so choose, a family.
> >>   That being said, I've taken a lot
> of heat from lots of blind people
> >> for not being "involved" enough.  Never mind
> I'm in school, I have a
> >> social life at school, and I have lots of other
> things I want to do
> >> outside the blind community.  As I've said,
> I'm not going to judge
> >> people who make the blind community their primary
> social network.  I
> >> only ask for that to go both ways.  Blindness
> is not me, I just happen
> >> to be blind along with all the plethora of other
> things that help
> >> define me.  Unfortunately, often times I
> don't get the same respect
> >> I'm trying to give.  Y'all do your thing,
> I'll do mine.  And let's all
> >> be friendly and realize the diversity we all bring
> to the table.  You
> >> may choose to live your life primarily with blind
> people, more power
> >> to you!  I choose not to, and all I want is
> that same courtesy.
> >>   Best,
> >> Kirt
> >> P.S.  Arielle, that was in no way directed
> against you.  Just...some
> >> of my frustrations about some other people came
> out.  I'm not meaning
> >> to accuse or insult anyone here, so please forgive
> me if it sounded
> >> that way.
> >>
> >> On 2/26/11, Arielle Silverman <nabs.president at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>> Hi Kurt and all,
> >>>
> >>> I agree with Darian. Just because someone
> talks about blindness stuff
> >>> a lot with their blind friends doesn't
> necessarily mean they will have
> >>> similarly narrow conversation when with
> sighted people. Being a part
> >>> of two minority groups (blind people and Jews)
> I can attest that my
> >>> blind friends and I talk a lot about blindness
> and my Jewish friends
> >>> and I talk a lot about Jewish things. I don't
> talk about the blindness
> >>> stuff with my Jewish friends, and vice versa.
> I also tend to talk
> >>> about psychology a lot with my grad student
> and faculty colleagues. I
> >>> don't even think it's a problem if someone's
> primary identity is
> >>> blindness, they work in the blindness field
> and they marry a blind
> >>> person, as long as they're able to get along
> OK with sighted
> >>> coworkers, friends or acquaintances when they
> need to. Some of us
> >>> prefer to have a wide circle of friends or
> multiple social communities
> >>> but others are perfectly content with a few
> friends or one main
> >>> community and I don't think it's our place to
> pass judgment on these
> >>> people. I can understand the concerns about
> our public image, but
> >>> again I think that boils down to how well the
> blind person is able to
> >>> interact with sighted people when they need
> to. I think we should make
> >>> an effort to be kind and inclusive to sighted
> people around us, but we
> >>> don't necessarily need to reach out to them as
> our friends.
> >>>
> >>> Arielle
> >>>
> >>> On 2/17/11, Jorge Paez <jorgeapaez at mac.com>
> wrote:
> >>>> So very true.
> >>>>
> >>>> I remember being in the Mall Of America,
> >>>> the 4 of us kids were going with one of
> the councelers on a
> >>>> rolercoaster,
> >>>> and they tried to force an adult
> administrator to go with us.
> >>>>
> >>>> Councelors fought it out and won that one
> though,
> >>>> but yes, I've seen some quite bad ones.
> >>>>
> >>>> Actually, I remember a guy once on a
> plane--the flight attendance that
> >> is,
> >>>> said my cane had to be stored in the
> overhead because it could "be used
> >> as
> >>>> a
> >>>> weapon."
> >>>>
> >>>> Jorge
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Feb 16, 2011, at 11:19 PM, humberto
> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Interesting essay: We all run into
> stories like that. I know, people
> >> just
> >>>>> don't understand about blindness.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>>>> From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com
> >>>>>> To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >>>>>> Date sent: Wed, 16 Feb 2011
> 18:02:23 -0600
> >>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Philosophy in
> society
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> It is a total drag when people
> want to only talk about your
> >>>>> blindness--
> >>>>>> as though you have nothing to
> offer.  I try to view these moments
> >>>>> as
> >>>>>> educational opportunities.  I
> kindly and diplomatically explain,
> >>>>> to the
> >>>>>> best of my abilities, how blind
> people "do" things.  I try to
> >>>>> answer
> >>>>>> questions, but then turn the
> conversation around to discuss other
> >>>>>> matters.  Find opportunities
> in conversations to change the
> >>>>> discussion.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> It is not always easy.  I do
> think it is perfectly acceptable to,
> >>>>> in a
> >>>>>> diplomatic fashion, explain that
> blind people have other
> >>>>> interest.  Ask
> >>>>>> the person questions so a
> back-and-forth begins.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I am posting an essay I wrote that
> exemplifies this discussion, I
> >>>>> think.
> >>>>>> There is a section with some
> strong language so if you do not
> >>>>> enjoy
> >>>>>> strong language, you may want to
> skip this.  It is only a small
> >>>>> section
> >>>>>> that includes the language. 
> Enjoy.  *smile*
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> The Event of the Century
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> The chill wind whips my hair as I
> cane along the Fuddrucker's
> >>>>> building
> >>>>>> with my long white cane searching
> for the door.  My friends do
> >>>>> the same
> >>>>>> with their canes.  The scent
> of grease filters through the chill
> >>>>> air.
> >>>>>> It is the unmistakeable odor of a
> hamburger joint.  We are cold,
> >>>>> and we
> >>>>>> are hungry.  Finding the
> door, we all scurry inside.  We are
> >>>>> seven
> >>>>>> friends out on a Saturday having a
> good time-we all happen to be
> >>>>> blind.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Piling into the entrance, we tap
> our white canes investigating
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>> restaurant.  Ross, my
> husband, and I find a wall and follow it
> >>>>> with our
> >>>>>> canes tapping back-and-forth
> against the wall.  "Hey guys," I
> >>>>> call out,
> >>>>>> "I believe this is the
> counter."  The click of cane tips echoes
> >>>>> from all
> >>>>>> directions as Shane, Amy, Audra,
> Jamie and Carol find their way
> >>>>> to the
> >>>>>> counter.  Since the menu is
> not available in Braille, I ask the
> >>>>> cashier
> >>>>>> to please read the choices out
> loud.  Ross and I order as our
> >>>>> friends
> >>>>>> from Lincoln, who we do not see
> often, decide what sounds best.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Grabbing my cup, I listen for the
> soda fountain.  Ice chinks into
> >>>>> a cup
> >>>>>> and I follow the sound.  I
> encounter an island separating the
> >>>>> soda
> >>>>>> fountain from where I stand. 
> Pausing for a second, I determine
> >>>>> which
> >>>>>> direction to walk around the
> island, but before I can take
> >>>>> another step,
> >>>>>> a stranger approaches me.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Can I help you?" she asks.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "No thanks.  I'm just going
> to fill my cup," I say. As I step
> >>>>> around the
> >>>>>> stranger, arcing my cane, I can
> tell she is hesitating.  Before I
> >>>>> know
> >>>>>> what to do, she pinches a fold of
> my coat and yanks me around the
> >>>>>> island.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "It's this way," she says .
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Thanks, but that's the direction
> I was moving in, ma'am."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> The stranger pauses again as my
> friends move past looking for an
> >>>>> open
> >>>>>> table. "Where is your companion?"
> she asks.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Well, seeing as we're all adults,
> we don't have a companion."  I
> >>>>> follow
> >>>>>> the cane taps leaving the stranger
> alone to ponder the miracle
> >>>>> happening
> >>>>>> before her eyes.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "The freak show's out. 
> Everyone should grab their camera," Audra
> >>>>> says
> >>>>>> as I approach the table.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> We all quietly chuckle. We don't
> mean to be rude, but we are all
> >>>>> use to
> >>>>>> this reaction when in
> public.  The amazing blind people who have
> >>>>> left
> >>>>>> the security of their homes! 
> Yes, I am cynical, but this has
> >>>>> always
> >>>>>> been a part of my character. 
> Encountering ridiculous ideas and
> >>>>> outdated
> >>>>>> attitudes towards blindness on a
> daily basis, keeps my cynicism
> >>>>> fresh.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Eight years ago I would never have
> thought the hardest part of
> >>>>> being
> >>>>>> blind was dealing with society's
> perceptions and attitudes.  I
> >>>>> very
> >>>>>> quickly adjusted to my blindness,
> and it is a part of who I am.
> >>>>> I
> >>>>>> accept it just as I accept the
> color of my hair or my inability
> >>>>> to solve
> >>>>>> a math equation quickly.  I
> am no more amazing than anyone else,
> >>>>> but
> >>>>>> because I do things without
> vision, it suddenly makes me
> >>>>> exceptional.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> It is difficult to be around
> people, not because I am blind, but
> >>>>> because
> >>>>>> others usually have problems
> accepting me as a person and not as
> >>>>> a blind
> >>>>>> person.  Sometimes, I would
> rather spend time with children
> >>>>> because they
> >>>>>> have an inate ability to trust and
> not doubt because of a
> >>>>> perceived
> >>>>>> reality.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> My favorite past time these days
> is spending time with my nephew
> >>>>> and
> >>>>>> nieces.  I must have the baby
> bug or something-- the biological
> >>>>> clock
> >>>>>> and all.  They bring joy to
> my life, and yes, I must admit, I
> >>>>> talk
> >>>>>> endlessly about them.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Caiden is seven and a bit too
> smart for his own good.  Chloe is
> >>>>> five and
> >>>>>> extremely independent, but she
> loves with her whole heart.
> >>>>> Kensley is
> >>>>>> two, and she has the sweetest
> temperament, but every now and
> >>>>> then, she
> >>>>>> gets a wild, mischievious glimmer
> in her eyes.  Penny is one and
> >>>>> full of
> >>>>>> energy, but I have become a
> surrogate mother to her. I have
> >>>>> watched them
> >>>>>> evolve from tiny beings, into real
> people, and it is through them
> >>>>> I see
> >>>>>> where the future can lie.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I am often met with dubious stares
> and hesitant concerns when
> >>>>> people
> >>>>>> find out that I frequently watch
> my nephew and nieces.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "How could you watch children?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Isn't it difficult?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Can blind people do that?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I hear these questions repeatedly,
> and depending on my mood, I
> >>>>> respond
> >>>>>> accordingly.  I do not
> believe how insulting people can be.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> When I take the kids to the park
> or the mall or on a walk, people
> >>>>>> usually think the kids are guiding
> me around.  Yes, a
> >>>>> seven-year-old,
> >>>>>> five-year-old, two-year-old and a
> baby guide me.  We would all be
> >>>>> dead.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I wonder if people think about
> what they say.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> The kids never question my
> abilities.  Blindness is normal to
> >>>>> them.  My
> >>>>>> actions speak volumes to Caiden,
> Chloe, Kensley and Penny.  We
> >>>>> think
> >>>>>> children have mental limitations,
> but they understand what adults
> >>>>> can
> >>>>>> not.  My babies accept me and
> do not doubt their safety with me.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Caiden loves to play video
> games.  I think he is a bit young for
> >>>>> this,
> >>>>>> but what do adults know,
> right?  If allowed, he would play all
> >>>>> day long.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Once, my mom was watching the
> kids, and in an attempt to get
> >>>>> Caiden to
> >>>>>> stop the game and play outside,
> she told him, "If you play too
> >>>>> many
> >>>>>> video games you will go blind."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Caiden's response was, "Grandma,
> it's not a big deal to be blind.
> >>>>> Look
> >>>>>> at Aunt Bridgy."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> With these words, I realize the
> impact I have on my nephew and
> >>>>> nieces.
> >>>>>> They are the beginning of a
> generation that can break the
> >>>>> stereotypes
> >>>>>> about blindness.  The efforts
> I make seem so small, but through
> >>>>> these
> >>>>>> children, I know the effect is
> lasting.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Recently Chloe has taken to
> walking around with her eyes closed
> >>>>> because
> >>>>>> she, "Wants to be like Aunt
> Bridgy." Every time she is at my
> >>>>> house, she
> >>>>>> insists on using a white cane to
> walk around with.  She is also
> >>>>>> fascinated with Braille and wants
> to learn this tactile form of
> >>>>> print.
> >>>>>> Every where she goes, she points
> out signs that have Braille on
> >>>>> them.
> >>>>>> She has no fear.  To Chloe,
> blindness is just another way to
> >>>>> "be."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Children are not caught up in
> their perceptions, but will believe
> >>>>> what
> >>>>>> you tell them at face value. 
> Exposure to me has allowed my
> >>>>> nephew and
> >>>>>> nieces to learn and understand
> that life does not stop after
> >>>>> blindness.
> >>>>>> Diversity is wide, and children
> accept people for who they are.
> >>>>> My
> >>>>>> children accept me as capable and
> confident-the way they view
> >>>>> other
> >>>>>> adults in their lives.  In
> their eyes, I am no different, and
> >>>>> there is
> >>>>>> no thought of limitations.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Kensley and Penny are still
> grasping the fact that I do not
> >>>>> respond to
> >>>>>> visual cues, like nodding their
> heads.  Both have quickly
> >>>>> adjusted to
> >>>>>> finding other means in which to
> express their wants. When wanting
> >>>>> to be
> >>>>>> held, they come to me and place
> their arms around my legs.  When
> >>>>> they
> >>>>>> want to show me something like a
> toy, they place it in my hands.
> >>>>> Kensley
> >>>>>> and Penny do not question my
> ability to care for them.  To them,
> >>>>> I am
> >>>>>> comfort, I am love, I am security,
> and of course I am food!
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Sometimes, I pin a small bell to
> the back of their clothing so I
> >>>>> know
> >>>>>> where they are, but usually their
> gibber-gabber gives their
> >>>>> location
> >>>>>> away.  As Penny and Kensley
> learn to speak, they will understand
> >>>>> that
> >>>>>> they must use their words, and not
> gestures, to communicate with
> >>>>> me.
> >>>>>> These two will grow up never
> thinking I am odd, or doubt that I
> >>>>> can care
> >>>>>> for them.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Adults, on the other hand, do not
> see beyond my blindness.  The
> >>>>> world
> >>>>>> created a reality in which
> blindness is a debilitating disability
> >>>>>> leaving one limited and to be
> pitied.  True, not everyone buys
> >>>>> into the
> >>>>>> antiquated stereotypes, and not
> everyone believes me inferior,
> >>>>> but, in
> >>>>>> my experience, most people still
> cling to old notions.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I was leaving campus one day, and
> a man approached me from behind
> >>>>> and
> >>>>>> declared, "You are amazing!" 
> I knew what he meant, but I acted
> >>>>> as
> >>>>>> though I had no clue.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "What do you mean?" I asked.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "You get around so well.  It
> is truly amazing you can walk."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Thanks, but I am blind, not
> paralyzed."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "I just mean it is amazing you
> don't run into stuff."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "If I didn't use this cane I
> would."  I proceeded down the steps
> >>>>> of the
> >>>>>> fine arts building. Following
> behind me, he seemed poised to
> >>>>> capture a
> >>>>>> blind person out of their natural
> environment.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I looked up as I felt snow fall
> lightly on my head and face.
> >>>>> "Wow, it's
> >>>>>> snowing again?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "See, you're amazing!  How do
> you know it's snowing?  It must be
> >>>>> your
> >>>>>> sixth sense."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "No, I feel it.  Can't you?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Diplomacy is the usual route I
> take, but there are times when I
> >>>>> can no
> >>>>>> longer deal with the attitudes
> forced on me.  I try to educate-I
> >>>>> try to
> >>>>>> be positive, but watch out if you
> catch me on a bad day.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I stood, a few months ago, 
> waiting at the curb to cross the
> >>>>> street.
> >>>>>> Listening to the traffic on Center
> street in front of me, and the
> >>>>>> traffic on Paddock road to my
> right, I prepare to cross.  As a
> >>>>> person
> >>>>>> who is blind, I listen to the
> sound of traffic to help me cross a
> >>>>>> street, and yes, it is safe to do
> this.  Still not sure?  How
> >>>>> many
> >>>>>> sighted people get into
> accidents?  I rest my case.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Once the light changes, it won't
> stay green long, and I must zip
> >>>>> across.
> >>>>>> I wait and wait and wait-the red
> light (red as in I have the
> >>>>> right-away)
> >>>>>> is a freakin' fifteen-seconds
> long, but when traffic has the
> >>>>> green, I
> >>>>>> stand here forever.  I
> checked the time, three o' clock on the
> >>>>> dot.
> >>>>>> Come on.  I tapped my long
> white cane on the pavement out of
> >>>>> boredom.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Suddenly, I'm grabbed by the elbow
> from behind.  With cars on
> >>>>> Center
> >>>>>> Street still zooming by, a crazed
> pedestrian forces me into
> >>>>> oncoming
> >>>>>> traffic.  I could not stop,
> so I continue this farce as this
> >>>>> Crazy Carla
> >>>>>> dragged me across the
> street.  Cars whizzed and rumbled by, and I
> >>>>> had no
> >>>>>> choice but to keep truckin'.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Reaching the other side, I slapped
> the strangers hand away and
> >>>>> shouted,
> >>>>>> "What the hell are you doing?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Are you good?" Crazy Carla asked,
> ignoring my question.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Are you insane?  You can
> see, right?  Clearly we did not have
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>> right-away.  Shit!"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Crazy Carla, who, I swore, 
> was about to meet her fate back out
> >>>>> on
> >>>>>> Center street , tried grabbing my
> arm again.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Grabbing her wrist, I asked, "Do I
> know you?  No, so what gives
> >>>>> you the
> >>>>>> idea I want a complete stranger
> touching me?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Can you make it home from here?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> I stared in her direction. 
> Is she deaf?
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Uh, I think I'm good.  How
> the hell do you think I was getting
> >>>>> around
> >>>>>> before you, like a maniac, drove
> me across the street?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "Have a good day.  Ya' sure
> you can get home okay?"
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Throwing my backpack down, I
> shouted, "O-H MY GOD!  Fuck you!"
> >>>>> Grabbing
> >>>>>> my bag, I turned and stomped
> towards my apartment complex.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> No, I am not proud of such
> outburst, but I don't accept the
> >>>>> perceptions
> >>>>>> society has constructed about
> blindness either.  I, who was
> >>>>> safely and
> >>>>>> cautiously waiting to cross a busy
> city street, was assumed
> >>>>> incapable by
> >>>>>> a sighted person who threw caution
> to the wind and placed me, and
> >>>>>> themselves, into a dangerous
> situation.  Instead of thinking,
> >>>>> "Hmm, this
> >>>>>> person is blind, but they are out
> and about on their own, they
> >>>>> must be
> >>>>>> okay-they must know what they are
> doing," they only "see" the
> >>>>> blind girl
> >>>>>> standing alone and do not get past
> that thought.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> My friends all have similar
> stories.  We are seven people
> >>>>> enjoying each
> >>>>>> other's company, but because we
> are all blind, it is considered
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>> event of the century. We range in
> age from twenty-five to
> >>>>> thirty-five,
> >>>>>> some of us have children, all of
> us work, but it is an awesome
> >>>>>> accomplishment that we are
> socializing without a sighted
> >>>>> companion.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> It is even more incredible that
> our conversation sounds like any
> >>>>> other
> >>>>>> conversation.  This confuses
> our server as the girls talk about
> >>>>> what to
> >>>>>> do at the mall, and the guys talk
> about the football game playing
> >>>>> on the
> >>>>>> television.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> "You're all blind, right?" he
> asks.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Seven voices chorus, "Yes."
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Message: 4
> >>>>>> Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2011 09:05:46
> -0800
> >>>>>> From: Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com
> >>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Philosiphy in
> society
> >>>>>> Message-ID:
> >>>>>>     
> >>>>>
> <AANLkTikL2J4zOC0PFjwZqC2v+UyOnOPxaKM791A3+vdZ at mail.gmail.co
> >>>>> m
> >>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain;
> charset=ISO-8859-1
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> Hi all,
> >>>>>> So, I was thinking about how 
> what we learn in the NFb can
> >>>>> translate
> >>>>>> into society.  For
> example,  socializing, we want to be
> >>>>> considered as
> >>>>>> "normal" as the next person, but
> often we are asked the  general
> >>>>>> blindness related questions,
> not  ina bad way, but because people
> >>>>> don't
> >>>>>> understand something and want to
> know  what we do.  How do people
> >>>>> deal
> >>>>>> with this?  Say, you really
> had a long day, and the last thing
> >>>>> you want
> >>>>>> to hear is something related to
> blindness, but the grammys were
> >>>>> on, and
> >>>>>> you wouldn't mind talking
> about  how a certain pop star finally
> >>>>> didn't
> >>>>>> win something *smile*. 
> Or,  you have the weel-meaning person
> >>>>> trying to
> >>>>>> direct you somewhere, when you've
> made it clear  that you do not
> >>>>> require
> >>>>>> said assistance? How do you 
> handle this without getting  fairly
> >>>>> annoyed
> >>>>>> and/or taking
> >>>>>> it to be more serious than
> it's  simply ment.   I know we talk
> >>>>> about
> >>>>>> the  importance of educating
> the public, yet   the equil
> >>>>> importance of
> >>>>>> stressing
> normality.   How have people handled 
> these ideas?  How
> >>>>> does
> >>>>>> one  operate keeping in mind
> the ideas of both living one's life
> >>>>> and
> >>>>>> keep in mind the next blind person
> that comes along?
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>   Darian
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>
> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
> >>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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> >>>>> for nabs-l:
> >>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/humbertoa
> >>>>> 5369%40netzero.net
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> _______________________________________________
> >>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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> >>>>> nabs-l:
> >>>>>
> >>
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> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> _______________________________________________
> >>>> nabs-l mailing list
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> >>>> nabs-l:
> >>>>
> >>
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> >> il.com
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Arielle Silverman
> >>> President, National Association of Blind
> Students
> >>> Phone:  602-502-2255
> >>> Email:
> >>> nabs.president at gmail.com
> >>> Website:
> >>> www.nabslink.org
> >>>
> >>>
> _______________________________________________
> >>> nabs-l mailing list
> >>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
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> >>> nabs-l:
> >>>
> >>
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> >> il.com
> >>>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >> nabs-l:
> >>
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> >> n.net
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >
> 
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