[nabs-l] Blindness and other minorities

[Joshua Lester]

I discussed that, as well.
I told them, if they'd just give me the directions, or help me to
learn a route, I could travel endependently.
I made a point of saying that I wasn't a baby, and I didn't want to be
treated as such.
I've had receptionists at the doctor's office want to grab my hand,
and take me into the room, like a child.
I kindly told them, that I could do it without assistance, once I
learned the route.
I also taught them sighted guide, (now called "Human Guide.")
Blessings, Joshua

On 11/6/11, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
> I think it's great that people are doing positive things during Meet the
> Blind Month. My chapter says every year that we're going to do something
> then we don't. It is doing activities like this that allow us to do
> community outreach that begins to people an opportunity to learn a
> different way of thinking.
>
> However, and I make this comment without knowing the full extend of
> which you did a presentation on, but perhaps we need to display a
> broader view of blindness and present more independent concepts. Nothing
> is wrong with sighted guide, and it's important sighted people who
> assist with guiding us know the proper way, but what about explaining
> the importance of independent mobility with a cane or dog, andhow this
> is equal to traveling with sight? And what about demonstrating Braille
> and how efficient it can be? As we educate, we want to instill the idea
> of independence, and how we can be equally independent among our sighted
> peers with little, to no, sighted assistance. I'm not suggesting blind
> people never require a pair of eyes, and we should instruct people in
> the best way in which to assist us, but I think we need to focus more on
> our independent capabilities and how we can be equally efficient than on
> how best to assist us such as sighted guide.
>
> I'm probably sparking controversy, but it goes back to the role we play
> in educating and informing. We don't have to "water-down" our message
> just because sighted people may be uncomfortable. We present ourselves
> with diplomacy, but we don't have to cater to what makes them feel
> better. The truth needs to be unleashed even if that makes people
> uncomfortable. Independence truly is a state of mind, and society must
> understand that a lack of sight doesn't equate to inferior or less
> capable- it's just a different way to do most the same things.
>
> I mean no offense, and I'm glad to hear of people being active in their
> communities, but I think what we present needs to focus on our best
> interest and not on issues making those who aren't blind feel less
> awkward and uncomfortable. It's our turn to assert and instill our goals
> and concepts.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog at:
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2011 17:59:21 -0500
> From: Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> 	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Blindness vs. Other Minority Groups
> Message-ID:
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>
> I actually did a presentation at my college, for "Meet the Blind," month
> where I showed everyone how to guide a blind person, and I taught them
> the blindness courtesy rules, from the NFB. I'd encourage all students
> here, to ask if you can do the same thing, at your colleges. Blessings,
> Joshua
>
>
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