[nabs-l] Grabbing etc.

[Chris Nusbaum]

I think you did the right thing, Vejas!

Chris

"The real problem of blindness is not the loss of eyesight.  The 
real problem is the misunderstanding and lack of education that 
exists.  If a blind person has the proper training and 
opportunity, blindness can be reduced to a mere physical 
nuisance."
-- Kenneth Jernigan (President, National Federation of the Blind, 
1968-1986

P.S.  The I C.A.N.  Foundation helps blind and visually impaired 
youth in Maryland say "I can," by empowering them through 
providing assistive technology and scholarships to camps and 
conventions which help them be equal with their sighted peers.  
For more information about the Foundation and to support our 
work, visit us online at www.icanfoundation.info!

Sent from my BrailleNote Apex

 ----- Original Message -----
From: vejas <brlsurfer at gmail.com
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing 
list<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:17:45 -0800
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Grabbing etc.

So I guess we don't need to be nice about grabbing? I'm a
freshman in high school, and one time a senior started grabbing
my elbow.  I told him politely that I could do it myself, but he
didn't listen, so finally I said he could "go to class now." My
aide thought I was being rude, but I felt as if I was adovacting
for myself.  What are your thoughts on this?
Vejas


 ----- Original Message -----
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com
To: Student Division <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Tue, 8 Nov 2011 20:08:43 -0600
Subject: [nabs-l] Grabbing etc.


Arielle,

Don't feel bad about losing your calm with people who grab you
especially those who silently grab.  Any other situation, this
would be called harassment, but because we are blind, it suddenly
turns into charity.  I'll hit strangers who grab me.  I don't
know what their intentions are, and it's just a gut reaction.  I
don't purposely go around seeking people to beat up on, but if a
complete stranger grabs me, my natural instinct is to protect
myself.  Physical contact is one thing I don't think we need be
diplomatic and patient with.  No one has the right to touch us
even if out of kindness.  Does not common sense dictate that if
I'm out on my own I'm probably okay and don't require assistance?
Grabbing, or touching in any way, is crossing a line, and we
shouldn't feel bad about reacting.  As I said, especially for
women, in any other context, grabbing a person would constitute
to harassment.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
bpollpeter at hotmail.com

LiveWellNebraska.com


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