[nabs-l] Education of the general public was Re: Freshman year

[Brandon Keith Biggs]

Hello,
A fishing pole gets thinner closer to the end you get. So does an NFB cane.
I find myself not resenting the opportunity to educate, but resenting the 
stupidity  of some of the questions. I do realize that blindness is the most 
feared disability, but why would someone doubt my ability to get around? 
"You play baseball, so I don't think you can eat salad, because your hand 
can't close around the fork."
I get it that the baseball player holds a bat and or a ball all day, but 
what does that have with holding a fork?
Same with blindness... I get that you see a little better than me, but what 
does that have to do with me being able to get around?
*Shrug* I'm still trying to come to terms with ignorance.
Thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs
-----Original Message----- 
From: Aleeha Dudley
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 6:20 AM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] Education of the general public was Re: Freshman year

Hello,
I was not resenting the fact that my cane was referred to as a fishing pole. 
I don't believe I mentioned my resentment of this in my last post and was 
merely telling a story, following the direction of the thread, that 
described an occurrence where my cane was referred to as something rather 
humorous. I truly believe in the education of the general public about my 
blindness and the tools that naturally accompany said blindness, for if we 
do not educate the public, how can their attitude change? Now, let me give 
you a little background to this situation. My grandfather, a big supporter 
of everything I do, was the one who referred to my cane as a fishing pole. 
Even though my grandfather has known and interacted with me for 18years, 
going on 19 now, I still took the opportunity to educate him about the 
differences between this new NFB cane and my old graphite one, which, to 
him, did not appear to be anything other than a cane. I would advise you to 
be careful about making accusations such as this one before you have more 
than three sentences of a story that give you no background into the 
person's attitudes or beliefs. I am not trying to sound angry, but I did 
take slight offencs to your question.
Best,

Aleeha

On Jul 18, 2012, at 8:26 AM, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:

> Good morning, Aleeha,
>
> Are there educating opportunities underlying somewhere,  to grow resentful 
> over people's misidentification of your cane? We are by virtue of 
> interacting with a sighted majority, ambassadors of blindness. educating 
> does not always get to unfold on our own, terms. It's still education 
> nonetheless? /2012, Aleeha Dudley wrote:
>> I have been told that my cane looked like a fishing pole before. Now, 
>> having held and used a fishing pole before, I cannot imagine why someone 
>> might think this.
>>
>> Aleeha
>>
>> On Jul 18, 2012, at 3:10 AM, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> 
>> wrote:
>>
>> > A ping pong paddle? That would be pretty impossible! I've been asked
>> > why I was carrying a golf club around, but this is by far the funniest
>> > story involving my cane that I can think of.
>> > So I was walking down the street one day and this guy came up to me
>> > and said, excuse me, ma'am, does your stick have magnets in it?
>> > I just kind of looked at him like, what are you talking about? He
>> > said, well, you have to be able to tell where the curb is somehow.
>> > What that has anything to do with magnets, I have no clue.
>> >
>> > On 7/18/12, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
>> >> Some people choose to remain ignorant, even after I try to tell them.
>> >> I can't stand those kinds of people!
>> >> Blessings, Joshua
>> >>
>> >> On 7/18/12, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
>> >>> Hi, Josh,
>> >>>
>> >>> Don't you believe it more productive all around to dispell people's
>> >>> ignorance, rather than getting up tight about it?At 09:59 PM
>> >>> 7/17/2012, you wrote:
>> >>>> LOL!
>> >>>> It annoys me when someone calls my cane my "pole," "stick," etc.
>> >>>> Here's a funny story, that actually happened at church!
>> >>>> I had a straight cane, (not an NFB cane,) but a graphite cane.
>> >>>> I had a roller tip on it, so one of the teenage boys who wasn't all
>> >>>> there mentally asked this question about my cane.
>> >>>> "What's that, a ping-pong paddle?"
>> >>>> Good grief!
>> >>>> Blessings, Joshua
>> >>>>
>> >>>> On 7/17/12, Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>>>> Hahahaha! I need to have them walk off with my cane! How do you 
>> >>>>> feel
>> >>>>> having
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> your stick touched? XD
>> >>>>> Most of the time it happens while I'm going sighted guide with a 
>> >>>>> store
>> >>>>> person, someone in the airport or something like that.
>> >>>>> So I'm already holding their arm. I 'm fine if people grab my cane 
>> >>>>> on
>> >>>>> the
>> >>>>> bus, because they can excuse their grabbing as an accident, but 
>> >>>>> people
>> >>>>> grabbing the cane to guide me is a no no!
>> >>>>> I'm asked if the cane helps me get around and I say yes, it's like 
>> >>>>> my
>> >>>>> eyes,
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> so possibly people maybe think that my cane guides me. I have no 
>> >>>>> idea.
>> >>>>> I
>> >>>>> feel so horrible without my cane, I don't know how sighted people
>> >>>>> stand
>> >>>>> it... I don't know a comparison other than saying that they're
>> >>>>> touching
>> >>>>> my
>> >>>>> stick, can they please get their hands off...
>> >>>>> I once said that the guide was blinding me, but he didn't get it.
>> >>>>> Thanks,
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Brandon Keith Biggs
>> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>>> From: Ashley Bramlett
>> >>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 9:19 PM
>> >>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Brandon,
>> >>>>> I just ask them not to grab my cane. I say I'd rather take their 
>> >>>>> arm.
>> >>>>> If
>> >>>>> they persist, it depends on my mood; I either again insist that 
>> >>>>> they
>> >>>>> leave
>> >>>>> the cane alone or I simply decline their assistance and walk off
>> >>>>> elsewhere
>> >>>>> and get someone else's help.
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>>> From: Brandon Keith Biggs
>> >>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 10:37 PM
>> >>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Hello,
>> >>>>> This will also happen, especially when you go shopping, but I 
>> >>>>> haven't
>> >>>>> found
>> >>>>> a way to prevent it.
>> >>>>> When people want me to follow them, they grab my cane. Even when 
>> >>>>> I'm
>> >>>>> holding
>> >>>>> their arm, I often have people grab my cane when we're approaching
>> >>>>> stairs.
>> >>>>> I feel really offended and defensive when people touch my cane, and
>> >>>>> it's
>> >>>>> on
>> >>>>> the top of my least favorite things. It is probably about as 
>> >>>>> offensive
>> >>>>> to
>> >>>>> me
>> >>>>> as if someone randomly started touching me inappropriately on 
>> >>>>> purpose.
>> >>>>> Has anyone figured out a way to keep people from touching our 
>> >>>>> canes?
>> >>>>> Because
>> >>>>> it's really an insult along with everything else. I can't cuss them
>> >>>>> out,
>> >>>>> because it wouldn't do good for the blindness image. I ask them 
>> >>>>> nicely
>> >>>>> to
>> >>>>> please not touch my cane and pull it out of their grip, but I still
>> >>>>> feel
>> >>>>> violated and some people will grab it again after I asked them not 
>> >>>>> to.
>> >>>>> I feel this is one of the more cereous misconceptions about 
>> >>>>> blindness,
>> >>>>> but
>> >>>>> I
>> >>>>> really have no idea how to prevent it.
>> >>>>> If anyone has any idea, please let me know!
>> >>>>> Thanks,
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Brandon Keith Biggs
>> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
>> >>>>> From: Carly Mihalakis
>> >>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 6:14 PM
>> >>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list ; National
>> >>>>> Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Evening, Katie,
>> >>>>>
>> >>>>> Remember that most folks don't actually get to see blind people
>> >>>>> functioning in person. By demonstrating what we are and yes, are 
>> >>>>> not
>> >>>>> capable of is a great means of educating. Thus, I believe it pretty
>> >>>>> counterproductive to get up tight about being stared at. As much as
>> >>>>> people wrap about blindness being an "inconvenience" a truth is
>> >>>>> that,, blindness remains an enigma to most and you could be 
>> >>>>> educating
>> >>>>> the unsuspecting sighted person  by means of not objecting to a
>> >>>>> little staring wich, I remind is not at all intrusive. What do 
>> >>>>> people
>> >>>>> think of this?
>> >>>>> At 05:39 PM 7/17/2012, Patrick Molloy wrote:
>> >>>>>> Katie,
>> >>>>>> Having just finished my freshman year this past May, I can tell 
>> >>>>>> you
>> >>>>>> that people are very accepting for the most part. Once you show 
>> >>>>>> people
>> >>>>>> that you're just as capable as they are, your actions will speak 
>> >>>>>> for
>> >>>>>> themselves. True, people will be watching you more than they would 
>> >>>>>> a
>> >>>>>> person with sight. But you have to use that as a way to educate 
>> >>>>>> them.
>> >>>>>> When people ask you questions on campus about how you do this or 
>> >>>>>> that,
>> >>>>>> take it in stride. That's actually how I met my best friend: I was
>> >>>>>> walking down campus going to a building and he came up and asked 
>> >>>>>> me
>> >>>>>> how I knew where I was or something like that. We had a great
>> >>>>>> conversation and things just rolled from there. Feel free to send 
>> >>>>>> me
>> >>>>>> an e-mail off list if you have any questions as things come up.
>> >>>>>> Patrick
>> >>>>>>
>> >>>>>> On 7/17/12, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
>> >>>>>>> LOL!
>> >>>>>>> That's a good one!
>> >>>>>>> I also quote Fanny Crosby and tell them that one good thing about
>> >>>>>>> blindness, is that I never have to see the clouds in the sky.
>> >>>>>>> Blessings, Joshua
>> >>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>> On 7/17/12, Sophie Trist <sweetpeareader at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>>>>>>> When people first find out about my blindness, I always point 
>> >>>>>>>> out
>> >>>>>>>> that I will never have to pay a speeding ticket. I also joke 
>> >>>>>>>> that
>> >>>>>>>> God short-changed me in the vision department, but I won't be
>> >>>>>>>> asking for a refund any time soon. Haha. I find that if you act
>> >>>>>>>> like it's no big deal, other people will feel that way too.
>> >>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>> >>>>>>>> From: Liliya Asadullina <lily2011a at gmail.com
>> >>>>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> >>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> >>>>>>>> Date sent: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:21:08 -0400
>> >>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> And I agree about adding in humour.
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> On 7/17/12, Liliya Asadullina <lily2011a at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >>>>>>>> Hi Katie,
>> >>>>>>>> My name is Lily and I am going to be a freshmen in college as
>> >>>>>>>> well.  I
>> >>>>>>>> understand you have had bad experiences in high school, after
>> >>>>>>>> telling
>> >>>>>>>> people that you are blind.  I have dealt with a few myself.  As
>> >>>>>>>> far as
>> >>>>>>>> I have heard from some of my blind and sighted friends who are
>> >>>>>>>> already
>> >>>>>>>> in college, they say that people are more accepting in college.
>> >>>>>>>> It's
>> >>>>>>>> more of a time when people our age or around our age learn to
>> >>>>>>>> grow up.
>> >>>>>>>>  Of course you will not meet all mature people, but just be
>> >>>>>>>> yourself
>> >>>>>>>> and tell them that you can't see.  Express to them that even
>> >>>>>>>> though
>> >>>>>>>> you are blind, you can still accomplish as much as they can.
>> >>>>>>>> Get
>> >>>>>>>> involved with a few extra curricular activities and prove to
>> >>>>>>>> them that
>> >>>>>>>> you are an independent, and smart individual.  The most you can
>> >>>>>>>> do is
>> >>>>>>>> educate them about blindness and be outspoken.  You will have to
>> >>>>>>>> get
>> >>>>>>>> out of your comfort level, but I am sure by the end of your 1st
>> >>>>>>>> semester you wil have a good sullection of caring friends.
>> >>>>>>>> Another thing, make sure you advicate for yourself in class and
>> >>>>>>>> where
>> >>>>>>>> ever you choose to go outside of the academic area.  For
>> >>>>>>>> example, I am
>> >>>>>>>> emailing my professors ahead of time and letting them know that
>> >>>>>>>> I am
>> >>>>>>>> blind, but that I have the capability just like anyone else to
>> >>>>>>>> get my
>> >>>>>>>> work done and learn.  I will explain to them how I will be
>> >>>>>>>> taking
>> >>>>>>>> notes in class and what kind of tecchnology I'll be bringing
>> >>>>>>>> with me.
>> >>>>>>>> I will be meeting with my professors a week before classes
>> >>>>>>>> begin, and
>> >>>>>>>> will be asking them if they have any questions for me.
>> >>>>>>>> Outside of class, just reassure your peers if they have any
>> >>>>>>>> questions
>> >>>>>>>> for you about blindness to feel free to ask.
>> >>>>>>>> Like I said, just be yourself and make the most out of your
>> >>>>>>>> year.
>> >>>>>>>> Be confident in you!  You've got this!
>> >>>>>>>> College is full of diversity and if someone does not accept you
>> >>>>>>>> for
>> >>>>>>>> who you are and because of your blindness or lack of some
>> >>>>>>>> vision, then
>> >>>>>>>> they aren't worth being friends with...
>> >>>>>>>> People come to college from all different areas around the world
>> >>>>>>>> and
>> >>>>>>>> each student has something unique about them.   So just reach
>> >>>>>>>> out to
>> >>>>>>>> those around you and show them that no matter what, you can
>> >>>>>>>> succeed.
>> >>>>>>>> I understand what you are going through in your mind though.
>> >>>>>>>> I am saying this to you, but at the same time I am nervous for
>> >>>>>>>> college as
>> >>>>>>>> well.
>> >>>>>>>> Beeing that I had some blind skills training at the Colorado
>> >>>>>>>> Center
>> >>>>>>>> For The blind though, I do feel more confident about going to
>> >>>>>>>> college
>> >>>>>>>> and in myself too.
>> >>>>>>>> Also, I am not as nervous to be dorming with a random room mate
>> >>>>>>>> away
>> >>>>>>>> from my home town and family.
>> >>>>>>>> Good luck with starting this fall, I believe that you will do
>> >>>>>>>> well!
>> >>>>>>>> If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me any
>> >>>>>>>> time
>> >>>>>>>> at: Lily2011a at gmail.com.
>> >>>>>>>> Or my school email: lasadull at masonlive.GMU.edu
>> >>>>>>>> Cheers!
>> >>>>>>>> Liliya
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> On 7/17/12, Katie Cl <katminecce at yahoo.com> wrote:
>> >>>>>>>> Hi my name is Katie and I am going to be a freshman in college
>> >>>>>>>> this fall.
>> >>>>>>>> I
>> >>>>>>>> was wondering how other people handled telling others they
>> >>>>>>>> couldn't see.
>> >>>>>>>> In
>> >>>>>>>> high school I had a bad experience and don't want it to happen
>> >>>>>>>> again. Any
>> >>>>>>>> advice would be helpful.
>> >>>>>>>> THANKS
>> >>>>>>>>
>> >>>>>>>> <3 Princess Cy-I <3
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