[nabs-l] Goodwill Boycott

[Beth]

My=20new=20boyfriend=20is=20from=20Georgia,=20so=20yeah,=20I=20have=20a=20g=
ood=20idea=20of=20
whuaft=20kind=20of=20foods=20he=20likes,=20sort=20of.=20:)
Beth

=20-----=20Original=20Message=20-----
From:=20Joshua=20Lester=20<jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu
To:=20National=20Association=20of=20Blind=20Students=20mailing=20list=20
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date=20sent:=20Sun,=2010=20Jun=202012=2011:49:37=20-0500
Subject:=20Re:=20[nabs-l]=20Goodwill=20Boycott

Beth,=20the=20blind=20cooks=20list=20can=20provide=20you=20with=20the=20inf=
o=20you=20
need,=20to
cook=20Southern=20food.
Where=20is=20your=20new=20boyfriend=20from?
Thanks,=20Joshua

On=206/10/12,=20Beth=20<thebluesisloose at gmail.com>=20wrote:
=20First=20off,=20my=20boyfriend=20can't=20go=20to=20an=20independent=20liv=
ing=20center
=20out=20of=20state.=20=20It=20took=20that=20to=20get=20me=20to=20learn=20d=
aily=20living
=20skills.=20=20I=20live=20in=20my=20own,=20but=20I=20hate=20to=20live=20fo=
r=20two=20people.
=20You've=20got=20great=20points,=20Brandon.=20=20My=20boyfriend=20will=20h=
ave=20to=20do
=20daily=20living=20trainning,=20maybe=20I=20can=20find=20a=20daily=20livin=
g=20skills
=20teacher=20in=20his=20state=20that=20can=20help.=20=20I=20tried=20learnin=
g=20from=20a
=20daily=20living=20skills=20teacher,=20but=20the=20teachers=20I've=20worke=
d=20with
=20never=20really=20told=20my=20parents=20they=20had=20to=20be=20patient.=20=
=20HE's=20lucky
=20his=20girlfriend=20is=20blind=20and=20can=20cook=20just=20as=20good=20as=
=20anyone.
=20Btw,=20I=20made=20a=20casserole=20one=20day,=20and=20it's=20great=20that=
=20I=20did.=20=20If=20
I
=20have=20to=20move=20out=20with=20my=20boyffriend,=20I'll=20have=20to=20le=
arn=20and=20
teach
=20myself=20how=20to=20make=20deviled=20eggs=20and=20southern=20fried=20chi=
cken,=20some
=20of=20his=20favorites.=20=20But=20I'll=20be=20that=20patient=20with=20him=
=20and=20help=20
him
=20get=20on=20his=20feet.=20=20I'll=20probably=20have=20to=20learn=20someth=
ing,=20but=20I
=20think=20living=20in=20the=20bay=20area=20won't=20be=20possible.=20=20I=20=
have=20to=20live
=20where=20he=20is=20so=20that=20his=20heart=20doesn't=20get=20damaged=20or=
=20whuaftever.
=20I=20think=20we're=20better=20than=20the=20people=20at=20Goodwill,=20and=
=20..=20oh
=20yeah,=20hopefully,=20we=20get=20good=20furniture=20from=20a=20furniture=
=20resale
=20store=20unlike=20Goodwill.
=20Beth

=20=20-----=20Original=20Message=20-----
=20From:=20"Brandon=20Keith=20Biggs"=20<brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com
=20To:=20"National=20Association=20of=20Blind=20Students=20mailing=20list"
=20<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
=20Date=20sent:=20Sun,=2010=20Jun=202012=2008:53:30=20-0700
=20Subject:=20Re:=20[nabs-l]=20Goodwill=20Boycott

=20Hello=20Beth,
=20let=20me=20first=20say=20that=20judging=20by=20your=20emails=20you=20def=
initely=20have
=20enough
=20reasoning=20and=20writing=20ability=20to=20get=20what=20ever=20degree=20=
you=20wish.
=20If=20you've
=20read=20literature=20on=20human=20trafficking=20you=20have=20seen=20the=20=
worst.
=20They=20shelter
=20you=20in=20schools=20because=20they=20don't=20want=20to=20get=20sued.=20=
That=20doctor
=20definitely
=20has=20no=20idea=20what=20he's=20talking=20about.=20If=20I=20were=20you,=
=20I'd=20go=20to
=20school=20and=20get
=20that=20counseling=20degree,=20then=20invite=20that=20doctor=20to=20my=20=

graduation!
=20If=20money
=20is=20an=20issue,=20DOR=20and=20the=20state=20often=20have=20programs=20t=
hat=20can=20
fully
=20cover=20the
=20cost=20of=20school,=20minus=20housing=20and=20food.
=20Don't=20worry,=20you=20sound=20lots=20better=20informed=20than=20many=20=
people=20
that
=20I=20know
=20about=20personal=20finance.=20I=20was=20looking=20at=20the=20Hadley=20Bu=
siness
=20section=20and=20I
=20was=20really=20wondering=20why=20they=20didn't=20have=20personal=20finan=
ce=20and
=20investing.=20I
=20don't=20know=20anyone=20other=20than=20brokers=20who=20have=20the=20educ=
ation=20to
=20really=20make
=20something=20of=20their=20money.=20Sadly=20though,=20personal=20finance=20=
is=20one
=20of=20those
=20things=20that=20are=20expected=20one=20learns=20on=20their=20own.=20Like=
=20speaking
=20and
=20socializing,=20it=20should=20just=20be=20a=20given=20that=20everyone=20k=
nows=20about
=20how=20to=20find
=20banks=20with=20high=20interest=20rates=20and=20low=20fees,=20everyone=20=
knows=20how
=20to=20budget
=20effectively,=20everyone=20knows=20how=20to=20find=20the=20best=20deals=20=
on=20food
=20and=20clothing,
=20and=20no=20one=20needs=20any=20help=20on=20running=20a=20family=20in=20s=
chool.
=20My=20communication=20teacher=20in=20school=20said=20that=2099%=20of=20al=
l=20the
=20students=20that
=20come=20to=20her=20class=20have=20never=20had=20a=20communication=20class=
=20in=20their
=20life,=20yet
=20100%=20of=20her=20students=20have=20had=20to=20communicate.
=20We=20are=20both=20a=20little=20baffled=20at=20this=20logic,=20but=20that=
's=20how=20life
=20is=20I
=20guess...?
=20Personally=20I've=20found=20that=20those=20who=20have=20the=20most=20pow=
er=20over
=20people=20in=20this
=20world=20are=20those=20with=20money=20and=20those=20with=20exceptional
=20communication=20skills.
=20I=20would=20recommend=20everyone=20move=20to=20the=20Bay=20area=20here=20=
in=20CA=20and=20
go
=20to
=20Foothill=20College.=20The=20teachers=20there=20are=20exceptional=20and=20=
the
=20disability
=20center=20is=20the=20best=20in=20the=20west.=20They=20also=20give=20oober=
=20
scholarships
=20to=20those
=20students=20who=20come=20off=20as=20serious=20students=20*Points=20at=20h=
is=209=20grand
=20in
=20scholarships*.
=20Also,=20you=20don't=20need=20DOR=20to=20pay=20for=20any=20part=20of=20sc=
hool,=20as=20one
=20can=20get
=20renewable=20scholarships=20at=20a=20community=20college=20to=20pay=20for=
=20every
=20part=20of
=20school,=20except=20for=20$47=20by=20just=20being=20on=20SSI.
=20Beth,=20Here=20in=20the=20bay=20area=20we=20have=20a=20giant=20human=20t=
rafficking
=20problem=20as=20we
=20are=20one=20of=20the=20major=20connection=20points=20for=20overseas=20tr=
avel.=20It's
=20on=20the
=20radio=20lots=20how=20they've=20caught=20slavers=20here=20and=20there,=20=
but=20
besides
=20that,=20the
=20Bay=20Area=20is=20so=20much=20for=20women's=20studies,=20I've=20not=20se=
en=20any
=20general=20college
=20that=20doesn't=20offer=20a=20degree=20in=20women's=20studies.
=20If=20I=20were=20anyone,=20I=20would=20totally=20move=20here=20to=20SF=20=
or=20go=20to=20NY,
=20because=20not
=20only=20is=20the=20blindness=20support=20so=20great,=20but=20public=20
transportation
=20is=20the
=20best=20in=20the=20nation=20for=20both=20those=20places.
=20But=20enough=20on=20me=20pushing=20SF...!
=20Beth,=20your=20boyfriend=20sounds=20like=20he=20could=20do=20with=20a=20=
liberal=20dose
=20of=20Daily
=20living=20skills.=20Here=20where=20I=20live,=20there=20is=20a=20center=20=
called=20the
=20"Vista
=20Center"=20and=20DOR=20contracts=20out=20teachers=20to=20help=20you=20bec=
ome
=20independent.=20I
=20love=20those=20teachers,=20because=20with=20their=20help,=20I=20was=20ab=
le=20to=20move
=20out=20on=20my
=20own=20when=20I=20was=2018.
=20I=20believe=20the=20Light=20House=20also=20has=20programs=20like=20this,=
=20and=20
Justin
=20was=20saying
=20something=20about=20attending=20a=20program=20that=20also=20teaches=20li=
ving
=20skills.=20But=20my
=20teacher=20says=20she=20encounters=20two=20types=20of=20people.=20There=20=
are=20those
=20who=20go
=20above=20and=20beyond=20what=20they=20were=20asked=20and=20actually=20do=
=20what=20they
=20were=20taught
=20on=20their=20own,=20then=20there=20are=20those=20who=20do=20the=20minimu=
m=20possible.
=20They=20expect
=20everything=20to=20be=20spoon=20fed=20to=20them.=20The=20first=20group=20=
are=20the=20ones
=20who
=20generally=20make=20it=20in=20the=20world=20as=20successful=20individuals=
.=20Beth,
=20if=20I=20were
=20you,=20I'd=20have=20a=20down=20to=20earth=20talk=20with=20your=20Boyfrie=
nd,=20letting
=20him=20know
=20that=20as=20it=20stands=20people=20don't=20believe=20in=20his=20ability=
=20to=20take
=20care=20of
=20himself.=20He=20may=20think=20that=20he=20could=20take=20care=20of=20him=
self,=20but=20
you
=20can=20let
=20him=20know=20that=20he=20will=20have=20to=20prove=20it=20first.=20If=20h=
e=20agrees,=20than
=20it's=20time
=20to=20look=20for=20a=20daily=20living=20skills=20teacher.=20If=20not,=20h=
e=20may=20want=20
to
=20be=20sent=20to
=20one=20of=20the=20independent=20living=20facilities,=20so=20he=20can=20se=
e=20first
=20hand=20why=20he
=20must=20learn=20living=20skills=20in=20order=20to=20be=20free.
=20I=20don't=20believe=20marriage=20should=20be=20really=20talked=20about=20=
until
=20after=20your
=20Boyfriend=20proves=20his=20stuff.=20Because=20Beth,=20you've=20got=20you=
r=20life=20
to
=20live=20and
=20you=20should=20not=20be=20forced=20to=20live=20for=20two=20people=20whic=
h=20you=20would
=20be=20doing=20if
=20you=20married=20and=20moved=20out=20with=20your=20boyfriend=20as=20thing=
s=20are=20now.

=20I=20know=20what=20you=20mean=20about=20not=20going=20to=20prom.=20I=20ne=
ver=20went=20to
=20prom=20with=20a
=20girl=20when=20I=20was=20in=20High=20school.=20I=20actually=20didn't=20ge=
t=20a
=20girlfriend=20till=20my
=20last=20year=20of=20High=20School=20and=20I=20broke=20up=20with=20her=205=
=20months=20later.
=20I=20didn't
=20have=20another=20till=20a=20little=20over=20a=20year=20after=20that.=20I=
t=20was=20with
=20that=20second
=20girlfriend=20that=20I=20went=20to=20prom.=20Frankly,=20school=20dances=20=
are=20the
=20worst=20things
=20since=20the=20invention=20of=20eyes.
=20If=20you=20like=20loud=20music=20beating=20so=20loud=20that=20you=20can'=
t=20hear
=20yourself=20think,
=20let=20alone=20hear=20your=20date=20talking,=20and=20if=20you=20like=20be=
ing=20squeezed
=20together=20on
=20all=20sides=20by=20grinding=20individuals,=20and=20if=20you're=20being=20=
shown=20how
=20to=20dance=20by
=20your=20partner,=20the=20only=20word=20I=20can=20label=20this,=20is=20hel=
l.
=20The=20romantic=20things=20before=20and=20after=20the=20dance=20are=20gre=
at,=20but=20
the
=20dance
=20itself=20is=20terrible.=20So=20let=20me=20assure=20you=20that=20except=20=
for=20the
=20romantic=20part,
=20you=20did=20not=20miss=20much=20at=20the=20prom.=20They=20didn't=20even=
=20play=20the=20
Blue
=20Danube=20at
=20the=20prom=20I=20went=20to!=20I=20thought=20that=20was=20required=20in=20=
order=20to=20have
=20a=20dance=20to
=20call=20themselves=20a=20dance?
=20anyways,=20in=20my=20opinion=20the=20education=20is=20much=20more=20impo=
rtant=20when
=20you're
=20going=20through=20school=20than=20the=20social=20aspects.=20In=20college=
=20though,
=20guys=20become
=20much=20smarter=20and=20women=20become=20way=20more=20emotionally=20sound=
,=20just
=20because=20they
=20have=20lived=20and=20learned=20much=20more=20through=20their=20life.
=20Most=20of=20the=20girls=20I've=20thought=20about=20dating=20have=20not=20=
been=20mature
=20enough=20in
=20some=20aspect=20of=20their=20life.=20My=20last=20girlfriend=20was=20too=
=20immature
=20when=20it=20came
=20to=20being=20focused=20and=20I=20learned=20the=20hard=20way=20that=20you=
=20should=20
never
=20expect
=20people=20to=20change.=20So=20part=20of=20my=20problem=20about=20having=20=
a=20small
=20social=20life=20is
=20that=20even=20now,=20I=20find=20that=20the=20women=20I'm=20attracted=20t=
o=20are=20still
=20much=20to
=20immature=20in=20some=20way=20for=20any=20kind=20of=20relationship=20to=20=
work.
=20But=20for=20high=20school,=20I=20was=20not=20socially=20mature=20and=20e=
ven=20now=20I'm
=20not=20socially
=20mature=20enough=20to=20really=20fit=20in=20the=20sighted=20world.=20This=
=20is=20the
=20biggest
=20problem=20I've=20found,=20blind=20people=20are=20not=20able=20to=20pass=
=20themselves
=20off=20as=20good
=20relationship=20material=20in=20the=20sighted=20world.=20If=20the=20world=
=20was=20
only
=20blind=20this
=20would=20be=20different,=20but=20because=20we=20live=20in=20a=20sight=20r=
un=20culture,
=20being=20able
=20to=20be=20socially=20mature=20to=20those=20who=20are=20sighted=20is=20cr=
ucial=20if=20one
=20wants=20to
=20make=20it=20in=20anything=20other=20than=20strictly=20working=20in=20som=
ething=20
like
=20the=20NFB=20or
=20Goodwill.
=20We=20have=20to=20work=20extra=20hard=20at=20understanding=20what=20sight=
ed=20people
=20think=20and
=20how=20sighted=20people=20do=20things=20in=20order=20to=20live=20as=20the=
=20sighted
=20people.=20Once
=20we're=20able=20to=20pass=20ourselves=20off=20enough=20so=20no=20one=20be=
lieves=20we're
=20blind,=20we
=20should=20then=20and=20only=20then,=20begin=20to=20emphasize=20the=20fact=
=20that=20we
=20are=20blind.
=20Because=20if=20we=20establish=20to=20people=20that=20we're=20blind=20fir=
st,=20they
=20will=20look=20no
=20farther=20than=20our=20disability.=20In=20sighted=20human=20evolution,=20=
being
=20disabled=20is
=20repulsive=20and=20we've=20got=20to=20fight=20against=20nature=20in=20ord=
er=20to=20do
=20anything=20in
=20the=20sighted=20world.=20Once=20one=20is=20able=20to=20show=20that=20the=
y=20are=20a
=20sighted=20person
=20first,=20then=20they=20can=20show=20they=20are=20blind=20and=20at=20that=
=20point,=20one
=20is=20able=20to
=20make=20blindness=20something=20to=20be=20desired=20and=20interesting,=20=
not
=20repulsive=20and
=20weird.
=20Thank=20you,

=20Brandon=20Keith=20Biggs
=20-----Original=20Message-----
=20From:=20Beth
=20Sent:=20Sunday,=20June=2010,=202012=201:01=20AM
=20To:=20National=20Association=20of=20Blind=20Students=20mailing=20list
=20Subject:=20Re:=20[nabs-l]=20Goodwill=20Boycott

=20Great=20points,=20Brandon.=20=20As=20someone=20who=20is=20both=20blind=20=
and=20
mentally
=20ill,=20I=20understand=20how=20it=20feels=20to=20be=20considered=20weird.=
=20=20I've=20
been
=20called=20a=20creep,=20told=20by=20some=20girl=20to=20my=20boyfriend's=20=
face=20that=20he
=20could=20do=20better=20due=20to=20my=20disorder,=20and=20then=20threatene=
d=20with=20all
=20kinds=20of=20emotional=20attack=20and=20abuse.=20=20Due=20to=20blindness=
,=20I=20was
=20told=20by=20the=20docs=20I'd=20be=20a=20vegetable.=20=20Huh?=20=20My=20d=
ad=20says=20I'm=20a
=20genius.=20=20I=20don't=20know,=20but=20my=20last=20IQ=20check=20said=20I=
=20was=20a=20133,
=20superior=20without=20all=20the=20visual=20battery=20of=20tests.=20=20But=
=20then
=20again,=20IQ=20isn't=20everything.=20=20I=20live=20in=20Denver,=20alone,=
=20with=20no
=20roommate=20to=20pander=20to=20my=20every=20need.=20=20I=20probably=20sho=
uld=20say=20that
=20with=20the=20right=20support=20and=20good=20friends=20around=20me,=20I=20=
could
=20thrive.=20=20I=20could=20become=20a=20"normal"=20woman,=20work=20a=20"no=
rmal"=20job,
=20and=20get=20"normal"=20wages.=20=20I=20could=20take=20care=20of=20childr=
en,=20my=20own
=20children,=20and=20raise=20them=20to=20be=20good=20people,=20productive=20=
citizens
=20of=20the=20United=20States=20of=20America,=20and=20I'd=20look=20forward=
=20to=20good
=20days=20and=20bad=20days=20along=20the=20way.=20=20My=20old=20cane=20teac=
her=20is=20a
=20fountain=20of=20wisdom=20when=20it=20comes=20to=20life's=20miseries,=20a=
nd=20the
=20rapids=20of=20life=20don't=20get=20any=20higher=20than=20what=20they=20a=
re.=20=20I=20could
=20get=20deeper=20and=20say=20that=20God=20doesn't=20put=20us=20in=20a=20ri=
ver=20with=20
rapids
=20that=20could=20not=20be=20handled=20by=20the=20rider.=20=20One=20of=20th=
e=20biggest
=20"whitewater=20rapids"=20so=20to=20speak=20is=20the=20employment=20and=20=
wages
=20thing.=20=20Brandon=20and=20Arielle,=20you=20guys=20make=20a=20good=20po=
int=20in=20that
=20blind=20people=20are=20trained=20to=20act=20like=20mentally=20disabled=20=
people.
=20My=20boyfriend=20doesn't=20know=20money.=20=20I=20wonder=20if=20I=20can=
=20possibly
=20teach=20him=20the=20basics=20of=20money=20management=20and=20budgeting.=
=20=20I
=20struggle=20with=20it=20myself=20because=20SSI=20is=20too=20little=20to=20=
live=20off=20
of,
=20and=20I=20was=20given=20a=20plane=20ticket,=20but=20not=20the=20money=20=
for=20baggage
=20fees=20and=20cab=20fare=20to=20get=20to=20and=20from=20the=20airport.=20=
=20So=20I'm=20stuck
=20paying=20for=20that.=20=20My=20boyfriend=20also=20doesn't=20know=20how=20=
to=20keep
=20track=20of=20his=20own=20wages,=20and=20if=20he=20becomes=20a=20big-time=
=20producer=20
for
=20all=20sorts=20of=20rappers=20who=20would=20run=20to=20him,=20I=20don't=20=
know=20how=20he's
=20going=20to=20run=20the=20household=20and=20help=20me=20pay=20my=20bills=
=20too.=20=20What=20
if
=20I'm=20incapacitated=20for=20real=20this=20time?=20=20I=20mean,=20like,=20=
Terry
=20Shiavo?=20=20How's=20Jason,=20who=20I=20may=20designate=20as=20a=20healt=
hcare
=20surrogate,=20going=20to=20make=20that=20decision?=20=20My=20hope=20is=20=
that=20he=20
won't
=20have=20to=20do=20that,=20but=20if=20that=20happens,=20I=20need=20someone=
=20that=20I=20feel
=20can=20be=20trusted=20to=20make=20the=20decisions=20about=20my=20bills=20=
and=20stuff.=20=20
I
=20was=20asked=20by=20my=20boyfriend's=20mom=20of=20all=20people=20to=20hel=
p=20her=20with
=20him=20a=20bit.=20=20Just=20to=20think=20of=20Jason=20in=20the=20situatio=
n=20he's=20in=20just
=20makes=20me=20so=20sick.=20=20I=20want=20him=20to=20manage=20his=20own=20=
wages,=20cook=20me=20a
=20meal=20if=20I=20get=20sick,=20and=20fry=20me=20some=20chicken=20or=20gri=
ll=20a=20burger=20on
=20Memorial=20Day.=20=20He=20has=20the=20potential=20to=20do=20those=20thin=
gs,=20and=20the
=20weird=20part=20is=20that=20his=20parents=20are=20open=20to=20us=20having=
=20a
=20relationship.=20=20Most=20disabled=20people's=20parents,=20including=20b=
ut=20not
=20limited=20to=20my=20own,=20are=20not=20as=20open=20about=20relations=20w=
ith=20poorer
=20people.=20=20Both=20Jason=20and=20I=20are=20poor,=20but=20I=20think=20we=
=20can=20live
=20together=20successfully=20with=20all=20the=20right=20supports,=20and=20i=
f=20we
=20can't=20find=20jobs,=20so=20what?=20=20We=20need=20family=20support=20to=
=20get=20by.=20=20
But
=20I=20really=20do=20dream=20of=20having=20my=20own=20private=20house,=20be=
ing=20able=20to
=20manage=20my=20bills,=20being=20able=20to=20buy=20foods=20that=20are=20nu=
tritious=20to
=20my=20children=20and=20so=20on,=20and=20feeding=20the=20baby=20and=20havi=
ng=20Jason
=20there=20to=20have=20breakfast=20with=20in=20the=20mornings,=20and=20not=
=20his=20old
=20mother.=20=20Not=20to=20say=20she's=20bad,=20but=20it's=20a=20dream=20I=
=20want=20to=20have.
=20My=20mother=20should=20not=20have=20to=20manage=20my=20money.=20=20Yes,=
=20I'm=20not=20so
=20good=20at=20money=20management,=20but=20I've=20learned=20a=20few=20lesso=
ns=20like=20
how
=20to=20go=20back=20and=20look=20at=20your=20payment=20history=20every=20ti=
me=20if=20you=20
get
=20suspicious=20about=20a=20charge.=20=20Like=20if=20the=20bills=20are=20on=
=20autopay,=20
you
=20have=20to=20look=20back=20and=20see=20if=20the=20weird=20corporate=20rob=
bers,=20if=20I
=20may=20use=20such=20a=20cold=20term,=20are=20stealing=20your=20money.=20=
=20I=20felt
=20Comcast=20was=20robbing=20me=20of=20my=20precious=20money,=20and=20espec=
ially=20this
=20month
=20because=20of=20a=20trip,=20and=20next=20month=20because=20of=20a=20move=
=20I=20have=20to=20
do,
=20I=20can't=20afford=20a=20$70=20internet=20bill.=20=20That's=20just=20too=
=20much=20unless
=20you're=20really=20living=20in=20low=20income=20housing.=20=20I=20know=20=
a=20lot=20about
=20disabled=20or=20low=20income=20housing.=20=20Boy,=20my=20boyfriend=20has=
=20a=20lot=20to
=20learn,=20and=20he'll=20learn=20lots=20while=20I'm=20with=20him.=20=20Lot=
s=20of=20times,
=20blind=20people=20are=20sheltered=20by=20their=20parents,=20and=20of=20co=
urse,=20the
=20parents=20I=20had=20were=20good=20parents,=20no=20doubt,=20but=20they=20=
had=20their
=20flaws.=20=20Jason=20is=20lucky=20in=20some=20ways,=20but=20his=20parents=
=20said=20the
=20same=20stuff=20that=20all=20sighted=20people=20say,=20"He=20has=20it=20m=
ade.=20=20We=20
wait
=20on=20him=20hand=20and=20foot=20..."=20=20And=20so=20on.=20=20This=20crea=
tes=20a=20problem.
=20Blind=20people=20need=20to=20not=20be=20waited=20on=20hand=20and=20foot.=
=20=20We=20can't
=20necessarily=20be=20pandered=20to=20our=20every=20need=20like=20little=20=
Veruca=20
Salt
=20in=20charlie=20and=20the=20Chocolate=20Factory=20if=20I=20may=20referenc=
e=20a=20
spoiled
=20literary=20figure.=20=20We=20can't=20be=20pandered=20or=20revered=20as=20=
Helen=20
Keller
=20was=20by=20her=20family=20in=20her=20early=20years.=20=20Unlike=20Jason,=
=20Helen=20was
=20deaf=20and=20in=20me=20and=20Jason's=20time,=20jobs=20are=20ample,=20and=
=20skills=20are
=20ample=20thanks=20to=20technology.=20=20With=20Helen=20Keller's=20time,=20=
there=20
were
=20no=20jobs=20open,=20and=20marriage=20and=20motherhood=20were=20closed=20=
to=20Helen.
=20I=20as=20a=20blind=20woman=20am=20thankful=20that=20marriage=20is=20open=
=20to=20
me--hence
=20the=20boyfriend=20I=20currently=20have--and=20relationships=20period.=20=
=20Jobs
=20and=20technology=20have=20risen=20while=20I=20was=20growing=20up.=20=20I=
t=20only=20seems
=20like=20yesterday=20that=20I=20would=20not=20be=20sending=20this=20superb=
ly=20long
=20email.=20=20Thanks=20to=20emails=20and=20Facebook=20and=20Twitter,=20I=20=
feel=20much
=20more=20connected=20to=20my=20friends=20and=20family,=20and=20especially=
=20to=20my
=20dear=20cousin=20Sarah,=20but=20yet=20she=20never=20calls=20me.=20=20Ha=20=
ha.=20=20But
=20thanks=20to=20cell=20phones,=20I=20can=20go=20anywhere=20and=20give=20ev=
eryone=20a=20
text
=20message.=20=20Imagine=20poor=20blind=20Beth=20texting!=20=20It=20only=20=
seems=20like
=20yesterday=20that=20my=20parents=20didn't=20think=20I=20needed=20an=20acc=
essible
=20phone,=20but=20when=20I=20fought=20to=20get=20an=20accessible=20phone,=20=
and=20my
=20ex-boyfriend=20taught=20me=20how=20to=20write=20letters=20on=20the=20pho=
ne,=20which
=20is=20a=20skill=20I=20still=20fail=20at=20sometimes=20(lol),=20I=20have=20=
texted=20my
=20friends=20and=20I=20can=20receive=20texts=20from=20people.=20=20I=20woul=
d=20hate=20to
=20change=20my=20address,=20but=20I=20do=20that.=20=20I=20will=20be=20in=20=
Denver=20for=20a=20
good
=20while=20so=20I=20can=20do=20my=20college=20and=20keep=20the=20ducks=20in=
=20a=20row=20as=20I
=20would=20hear=20my=20mother=20say.=20=20When=20I=20get=20my=20ducks=20in=
=20a=20row,=20I=20plan
=20to=20move=20on=20to=20bigger=20and=20better=20things,=20and=20I=20want=20=
to=20get=20a=20job
=20helping=20human=20trafficking=20victims.=20=20Denver=20has=20a=20strong=
=20victim
=20advocate=20program,=20but=20that's=20only=20the=20Muslim=20Family=20Serv=
ices=20
that
=20may=20have=20that.=20=20I'd=20heard=20that=20Atlanta=20has=20a=20big=20p=
roblem=20with
=20human=20trafficking.=20=20Well,=20so=20do=20some=20areas=20of=20Florida,=
=20but=20if
=20there's=20slavery=20and=20trafficking,=20I'll=20be=20there=20to=20stop=20=
it.=20=20I'd
=20like=20to=20give=20former=20slaves=20and=20prostitutes=20a=20chance=20at=
=20life,=20but
=20where=20will=20I=20go=20without=20a=20college=20degree=20in=20women's=20=
studies=20and=20
a
=20good=20background=20in=20such=20matters?=20=20I=20was=20never=20traffick=
ed,=20but=20I
=20have=20read=20countless=20literature,=20and=20have=20seen=20it=20firstha=
nd=20or
=20through=20others,=20what=20sorts=20of=20cruelty=20exist=20in=20the=20wor=
ld.
=20To=20keep=20the=20message=20on=20topic,=20I=20want=20to=20say=20that=20s=
uch=20a=20job
=20helping=20human=20trafficking=20victims=20shouldn't=20require=20a=20soci=
al=20
work
=20degree,=20which=20the=20doc=20says=20I'm=20too=20messed=20up=20to=20do.=
=20=20I=20want=20to
=20advise=20all=20of=20us=20to=20please=20take=20suspicious=20statements=20=
like,
=20"She's=20pretending=20to=20be=20a=20certain=20ethnic=20group"=20or=20"Sh=
e's=20not=20
fit
=20to=20do=20something=20because=20of=20mental=20deficiencies."=20=20What=20=
sort=20of
=20nonsensical=20statements=20these=20are!=20=20DVR=20in=20Colorado=20doesn=
't=20seem
=20to=20get=20it.=20=20They=20tell=20me=20I'm=20too=20messed=20up=20for=20c=
ollege=20but=20they
=20don't=20seem=20to=20understand=20that=20the=20importance=20of=20college=
=20is=20more
=20to=20me=20than=20anybody.=20=20My=20brothers=20are=20taking=20college=20=
classes,=20and
=20they=20will=20graduate,=20marry,=20and=20have=20families=20as=20expected=
.=20=20But
=20what=20will=20I=20do?=20=20My=20parents=20will=20dictate=20who=20I=20wil=
l=20marry=20due=20to
=20gender=20and=20blindness,=20they=20will=20tell=20me=20what=20talents=20I=
=20have
=20because=20I'm=20so=20"malleable",=20as=20some=20people=20think=20blind=20=
people
=20are,=20and=20then=20my=20teachers,=20doctors,=20psychologists,=20social
=20workers,=20and=20case=20managers=20will=20either=20take=20my=20babies=20=
or=20let=20me
=20keep=20them=20with=20sighted=20supervision,=20and=20so=20on.=20=20But=20=
going=20
through
=20school=20is=20not=20easy.=20=20Brandon,=20you=20said=20school=20is=20gre=
at,=20but=20you
=20don't=20realize=20that=20as=20a=20blind=20person=20in=20a=20million=20li=
ving=20in=20a
=20small=20town,=20nobody=20cared=20to=20dance=20with=20me=20at=20homecomin=
g=20or=20prom.
=20That's=20the=20price=20I=20paid=20for=20being=20blind.=20=20Nobody=20car=
ed=20to=20offer
=20me=20flowers=20on=20a=20date.=20=20I=20didn't=20have=20the=20normal=20te=
enager=20things
=20that=20every=20teenage=20girl=20dreams=20about.=20=20If=20I=20have=20a=20=
daughter,=20I
=20want=20to=20dress=20her=20up=20for=20prom=20and=20her=20wedding=20day=20=
with=20such=20
pride
=20a=20mother=20would=20share=20with=20her=20spouse=20and=20daughter=20alik=
e.=20=20My
=20mother=20never=20got=20that=20opportunity=20with=20me.=20=20She=20would=
=20help=20me
=20into=20my=20chorus=20dresses,=20but=20those=20were=20mere=20obligations=
=20to=20the
=20school.=20=20My=20mom=20believed=20that=20prom=20was=20for=20dates=20onl=
y,=20and=20
summer
=20jobs?=20=20Out=20of=20the=20question.=20=20I=20can't=20get=20a=20good=20=
experience=20if=20I
=20am=20not=20allowed=20to=20work.=20=20Titusville=20is=20a=20small=20town=
=20in=20Florida,
=20and=20I=20and=20another=20man=20were=20the=20only=20blind=20people=20in=
=20it.=20=20I=20being
=20the=20only=20and=20youngest=20blind=20woman=20in=20the=20town=20couldn't=
=20be=20
offered
=20a=20job.=20=20The=20only=20jobs=20offered=20were=20at=20the=20hospital,=
=20where=20
medical
=20experience=20was=20required,=20and=20the=20Space=20Center,=20where=20eng=
ineering
=20degrees=20were=20preferred.=20=20My=20dad=20can=20attest=20to=20the=20pe=
ople=20he's
=20interviewed=20for=20jobs,=20and=20unfortunately,=20there's=20not=20enoug=
h=20
blind
=20computer=20engineers,=20except=20those=20in=20the=20underground=20geek=20=

industry
=20as=20I=20like=20to=20call=20it,=20to=20go=20around.=20=20We=20also=20nee=
d=20to=20learn=20to
=20communicate=20with=20others=20who=20are=20sighted,=20speak=20their=20lan=
guage=20so
=20to=20speak.
=20Ok,=20my=20rant=20is=20over.
=20Beth
=20-----=20Original=20Message=20-----
=20From:=20"Brandon=20Keith=20Biggs"=20<brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com
=20To:=20"National=20Association=20of=20Blind=20Students=20mailing=20list"
=20<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
=20Date=20sent:=20Sat,=209=20Jun=202012=2023:57:32=20-0700
=20Subject:=20Re:=20[nabs-l]=20Goodwill=20Boycott

=20Hello,
=20I'm=20sure=20many=20people=20who=20have=20talked=20to=20me=20before=20kn=
ow=20what=20I'm
=20going=20to
=20say...
=20It's=20the=20educational=20system=20that=20many=20of=20these=20problems=
=20come=20
down
=20to.=20We
=20have=20teachers=20coming=20out=20of=20school=20who=20are=20not=20inspire=
d=20to=20
create
=20a=20new
=20style=20of=20teaching.=20We=20have=20teachers=20who=20are=20never=20taug=
ht=20about
=20disabled
=20students.=20We=20have=20blind=20students=20who=20are=20never=20taught=20=
how=20to=20ask
=20for
=20accommodations.=20We=20have=20parents=20who=20think=20being=20blind=20is=
=20bad!
=20Honestly,=20if=20I=20could=20have=20redone=20my=20education=20as=20a=20s=
ighted
=20person,=20I=20would
=20not=20have=20done=20it.=20Being=20blind=20is=20such=20an=20advantage=20i=
n=20the=20United
=20States=20when
=20going=20through=20school.=20You=20get=20extra=20time=20on=20everything,=
=20you=20get
=20leniency=20on
=20all=20your=20assignments=20if=20you=20can't=20finish=20them=20on=20time,=
=20you=20get
=20free
=20schooling,=20you=20get=20paid=20to=20go=20through=20school=20by=20SSI,=20=
you=20have=20so
=20many
=20scholarships=20you=20can=20apply=20for,=20you=20can=20use=20the=20law=20=
to=20fight=20for
=20accessibility=20with=20little=20retribution,=20you=20become=20great=20fr=
iends
=20with=20your
=20teachers=20just=20because=20you=20get=20to=20talk=20to=20them=20all=20th=
e=20time,=20you
=20are=20by
=20nature=20a=20very=20active=20participant=20in=20your=20class,=20you=20ar=
e=20able=20to
=20read=20your
=20books=201000=20times=20faster=20than=20all=20of=20the=20other=20students=
=20combined,
=20you're=20able
=20to=20get=20tutoring=20for=20free,=20you=20don't=20have=20to=20feel=20ash=
amed=20for
=20taking
=20advantage=20of=20any=20of=20the=20above=20benefits=20because=20you're=20=
disabled
=20and=20that's
=20what=20you're=20expected=20to=20do!
=20Also,=20the=20expectation=20of=20your=20teachers=20is=20rather=20low=20a=
nd=20when=20
you
=20get=20100%
=20on=20all=20their=20hardest=20tests=20they=20get=20all=20embarrassed,=20p=
eople=20
think
=20it's
=20amazing=20that=20you're=20getting=20strait=20As=20when=20it's=20nothing,=

=20(Stereotypically)
=20blind=20people=20are=20very=20unsocial=20so=20they=20have=20lots=20of=20=
extra=20time=20
to
=20do=20school
=20work,=20you're=20able=20to=20actually=20edit=20your=20teacher's=20handou=
ts=20and
=20instructions
=20because=20Jaws=20doesn't=20miss=20skipped=20letters,=20if=20you=20have=20=
a=20problem
=20with=20your
=20online=20test=20you=20can=20blame=20it=20on=20your=20screen=20reader=20c=
rashing=20the
=20web=20browser,
=20state=20colleges=20gobble=20you=20up=20if=20you=20have=20ever=20taken=20=
an=20honors
=20class=20at=20a
=20community=20college=20and=20you=20have=20good=20grades=20and=20you've=20=
written=20
one
=20of=20those
=20inspiring=20essays,=20when=20you=20write=20inspiring=20essays=20you=20ca=
n=20get=20
the
=20super
=20arrogant=20feeling=20for=20a=20moment=20and=20say=20"That's=20me=20in=20=
the=20essay!",
=20you're=20able
=20to=20participate=20in=20all=20kinds=20of=20extra=20activities=20through=
=20agencies
=20like=20Global
=20explorers=20or=20the=20Light=20House,=20you=20can=20participate=20in=20s=
ummer=20job
=20programs
=20like=20YES1=20and=20YES2=20in=20Washington=20State,=20when=20you=20go=20=
to=20community
=20college=20or
=20state=20college=20you're=20given=20a=20guide=20through=20the=20school=20=
because=20
you
=20need=20a
=20mobility=20lesson=20and=20you=20have=20the=20disability=20resource=20per=
son.
=20I=20should=20probably=20stop,=20but=20you=20get=20the=20idea...
=20It's=20probably=20because=20I=20was=20homeschooled=20for=20the=20first=20=
few=20years
=20of=20my=20life
=20and=20did=20all=20kinds=20of=20super=20awesome=20things=20with=20my=20ov=
erly=20amazing
=20parents=20and
=20didn't=20enter=20public=20school=20till=205th=20grade=20that=20I=20have=
=20this=20view
=20of=20school,
=20but=20I=20understood=20that=20I=20could=20learn=20in=20public=20school=20=
and=20it=20was
=20just=20that
=20either=20the=20teacher=20wasn't=20teaching=20me=20or=20that=20I=20wasn't=
=20equipped
=20with=20the
=20skills=20or=20technology=20that=20was=20keeping=20me=20from=20learning.
=20There=20are=20many=20other=20factors=20in=20learning,=20like=20Gardiner'=
s
=20multiple=20=20theory
=20of=20intelligences=20that=20play=20a=20factor=20in=20if=20one=20learns=20=
in=20school,
=20but=20thank
=20goodness=20I=20was=20able=20to=20learn=20that=20anyone=20can=20learn=20f=
rom=20anyone,
=20they=20just
=20need=20to=20know=20how=20they=20learn=20and=20learn=20that=20way!
=20I=20can=20give=20examples,=20but=20this=20email=20is=20already=20super=20=
long,=20so
=20I'll=20get=20off
=20education.
=20My=20point=20is=20that=20most=20blind=20people=20aren?=EC=85=B3=20taught=
=20about=20all=20
the
=20above=20things.
=20I=20was=20super=20lucky=20because=20my=20parents=20let=20me=20run=20my=20=
IEP=20meetings
=20and=20my=20mom
=20became=20a=20TVI=20half=20way=20through=20my=20schooling,=20but=20every=
=20blind
=20person=20needs=20to
=20know=20that=20school=20can=20be=20amazing!=20It=20is=20worth=20spending=
=208-12=20years
=20of=20your
=20life=20there=20getting=20your=20music=20degree=20or=20dentist=20degree.

=20Another=20factor=20is=20that=20disabled=20people=20are=20fit=20into=20ev=
en=20a
=20tighter=20mold=20of
=20what=20they=20are=20to=20be=20when=20disabled=20people=20are=20the=20mos=
t=20unique=20of
=20anyone.
=20Blind=20people=20do=20not=20belong=20in=20special=20ed=20classes=20becau=
se=20they
=20don't=20need
=20special=20ed.=20Special=20ed=20teachers=20are=20people=20who=20teach=20e=
xtreme
=20cases=20of
=20autistic=20or=20other=20mentally=20disabled=20people.=20If=20a=20blind=20=
person=20is
=20put=20into
=20that=20environment=20and=20they=20don't=20need=20it,=20they=20will=20go=
=20insane!
=20It's=20like=20if
=20Stephen=20Hawking=20would=20have=20been=20born=20totally=20disabled=20an=
d=20people
=20stuck=20him
=20into=20special=20ed=20just=20because=20he=20can't=20talk!
=20Where=20would=20cosmology=20be?
=20Sadly=20it's=20those=20who=20break=20out=20of=20the=20mold=20and=20assim=
ilate=20their
=20own=20way=20into
=20sighted=20culture=20in=20order=20to=20evade=20the=20label=20of=20mentall=
y=20disabled
=20that=20are
=20fighting=20for=20these=20rights.

=20I=20keep=20on=20telling=20people=20that=20if=20someone=20is=20considered=
=20weird=20
it's
=20not=20them
=20that's=20weird,=20it's=20you=20who's=20weird=20for=20thinking=20that=20t=
hey're
=20weird.=20It's
=20like=20you=20thinking=20the=20person=20in=20front=20of=20you=20is=20goin=
g=20through
=20time=20the=20same
=20way=20you=20are!

=20Sadly=20the=20world=20is=20not=20reasonable,=20so=20we=20have=20to=20shu=
ck=20reason=20
and
=20go=20for
=20emotion.=20That's=20why=20we=20write=20all=20the=20super=20inspiring=20e=
ssays=20and
=20that's=20why
=20we=20have=20to=20assimilate=20into=20the=20sighted=20world.
=20Those=20who=20end=20up=20working=20in=20low=20under=20minimum=20wage=20j=
obs=20have
=20probably=20not
=20learned=20how=20to=20assimilate=20enough=20to=20pass=20off=20as=20"norma=
l"=20in=20the
=20sighted
=20community,=20so=20that's=20probably=20why=20they=20can't=20get=20the=20e=
ntry=20level
=20jobs.

=20Before=20someone=20gives=20the=20line=20about=20not=20needing=20to=20be=
=20anything
=20other=20than
=20blind=20because=20we=20are=20blind,=20let=20me=20just=20say=20that=20mos=
t=20of=20this
=20world=20likes=20to
=20think=20they=20are=20sighted=20and=20normal.=20Most=20people=20like=20to=
=20walk=20with
=20the=20crowd.
=20Those=20who=20never=20learn=20to=20walk=20with=20the=20crowd=20are=20con=
sidered
=20weird,=20those=20who
=20learn=20how=20to=20walk=20with=20the=20crowd=20then=20figure=20out=20how=
=20to=20rise
=20above=20it=20are
=20considered=20great.
=20Thanks,

=20Brandon=20Keith=20Biggs
=20-----Original=20Message-----
=20From:=20Arielle=20Silverman
=20Sent:=20Saturday,=20June=2009,=202012=209:27=20PM
=20To:=20National=20Association=20of=20Blind=20Students=20mailing=20list
=20Subject:=20Re:=20[nabs-l]=20Goodwill=20Boycott

=20Hi=20Brandon,
=20These=20are=20all=20good=20points.=20I=20like=20your=20statement=20about=
=20blind
=20people
=20who=20are=20"nurtured=20to=20act=20like=20they=20are=20mentally=20disabl=
ed"=20as=20I
=20have
=20met=20a=20few=20people=20who=20unfortunately=20seem=20to=20fit=20that=20=
description.
=20The=20problem=20is=20that=20there=20is=20no=20objective=20test=20to=20de=
termine=20what
=20a
=20person=20is=20or=20is=20not=20capable=20of=20doing.=20Even=20so-called=20=
objective
=20tests
=20like=20IQ=20tests=20are=20incredibly=20biased=20and=20don't=20account=20=
for
=20environmental=20factors=20that=20artificially=20limit=20people's=20abili=
ties
=20or
=20knowledge,=20like=20what=20is=20expected=20of=20them=20by=20parents=20an=
d=20
teachers,
=20or
=20what=20skills=20they=20are=20or=20are=20not=20taught.=20There=20is=20res=
earch=20
showing
=20that
=20when=20people=20are=20expected=20to=20behave=20or=20perform=20in=20a=20c=
ertain=20way,
=20they
=20tend=20to=20fulfill=20that=20expectation=20(this=20is=20called=20a
=20"self-fulfilling
=20prophesy;=20if=20you're=20interested=20in=20the=20research,=20look=20up
=20"Pygmalian
=20effect").=20So=20when=20teachers=20are=20randomly=20told=20that=20some=20=
kids=20are
=20smarter=20than=20others,=20they=20tend=20to=20treat=20those=20"smart"=20=
kids
=20differently
=20without=20even=20realizing=20it=20and=20eventually=20the=20"smart"=20kid=
s=20end=20up
=20performing=20better=20than=20the=20other=20kids.=20The=20reverse=20patte=
rn=20too
=20often
=20happens=20with=20disabilities.=20People=20have=20so=20many=20assumptions=
=20about
=20how
=20disabilities=20limit=20potential,=20and=20people=20in=20authority=20can=
=20act=20in
=20ways
=20that=20make=20those=20assumptions=20come=20true.
=20I=20also=20agree=20that=20people=20with=20disabilities=20would=20be=20mu=
ch=20more
=20productive=20in=20sheltered=20jobs=20if=20they=20did=20work=20that=20was=

=20intrinsically
=20interesting=20to=20them=20and=20if=20the=20work=20was=20in=20a=20field=20=
they=20were
=20actually
=20good=20at.=20It=20is=20common=20knowledge=20that=20people=20of=20all=20a=
ges=20and
=20mental
=20abilities=20will=20do=20a=20better=20job=20at=20any=20task=20if=20they=20=
find=20the=20task
=20enjoyable=20and=20motivating.=20Too=20often,=20sheltered=20jobs=20are=20=
simply
=20too
=20boring=20to=20really=20engage=20people.=20Also,=20people=20with=20disabi=
lities
=20have
=20their=20own=20talents=20that=20are=20rarely=20utilized=20in=20sheltered=
=20jobs.=20I
=20have
=20figured=20out=20that=20if=20I=20were=20forced=20to=20do=20a=20sheltered=
=20workshop=20
job,
=20I
=20would=20probably=20be=20the=20one=20losing=20them=20money=20if=20they=20=
paid=20me=20at
=20minimum
=20wage,=20because=20I=20have=20never=20been=20good=20at=20making=20stuff=20=
with=20my
=20hands=20or
=20using=20machines.=20Not=20only=20would=20I=20be=20bored=20to=20tears,=20=
but=20I=20just
=20wouldn't=20be=20good=20at=20it.=20I=20am=20much=20better=20at=20writing=
=20and=20thinking
=20and
=20doing=20math,=20so=20I=20hope=20that=20society=20will=20let=20me=20use=20=
those=20skills
=20instead=20of=20forcing=20me=20to=20do=20work=20I'm=20not=20skilled=20at.=

=20Regarding=20your=20comment=20about=20unemployment=20among=20the=20blind,=
=20it=20is
=20true
=20that=20many=20fields=20are=20accessible=20to=20the=20blind=20these=20day=
s,=20yet=20the
=20unemployment=20rate=20is=20still=20staggering.=20There=20are=20many=20re=
asons=20
for
=20unemployment=20among=20the=20blind.=20I=20think=20one=20reason=20is=20th=
at
=20employers
=20want=20to=20hire=20applicants=20with=20relevant=20experience,=20and=20in=
=20many
=20fields,
=20the=20entry-level=20position=20that=20people=20get=20at=20first=20to=20g=
ain
=20experience
=20isn't=20accessible=20to=20the=20blind.=20This=20might=20not=20be=20true=
=20with
=20programming,=20but=20in=20some=20fields=20it=20is=20really=20hard=20to=20=
get=20your
=20foot=20in
=20the=20door=20even=20if=20it's=20easier=20to=20work=20at=20higher=20level=
s.=20For
=20example,
=20before=20becoming=20a=20teacher,=20you=20need=20to=20do=20student=20teac=
hing,=20
which
=20means=20you=20are=20working=20under=20someone=20else=20who=20might=20not=
=20use
=20accessible
=20materials=20or=20who=20will=20doubt=20your=20ability=20to=20do=20the=20j=
ob.=20Without
=20experience,=20it's=20harder=20to=20allay=20people's=20initial=20discrimi=
natory
=20doubts=20and=20fears=20about=20hiring=20a=20blind=20person.=20Also,=20ev=
en=20within
=20an
=20accessible=20field,=20individual=20employers=20might=20use=20materials=20=
that
=20aren't
=20accessible=20to=20the=20blind.=20So=20even=20though=20programming=20is=20=
very
=20accessible,=20if=20some=20employers=20require=20you=20to=20use=20languag=
es=20or
=20scripts
=20that=20aren't=20accessible,=20this=20will=20limit=20job=20options.
=20Arielle

=20On=206/9/12,=20Brandon=20Keith=20Biggs=20<brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com
=20wrote:
=20Hello,
=20It's=20a=20tricky=20situation.=20We=20can't=20really=20say=20what=20it's=
=20like
=20being=20mentally
=20disabled=20and=20it's=20hard=20to=20say=20what=20mentally=20disabled=20c=
an=20or=20can
=20not=20do.=20We
=20also=20can't=20tell=20if=20the=20blind=20who=20are=20nurtured=20to=20act=
=20like
=20mentally
=20disabled
=20people=20really=20are=20mentally=20=20disabled.
=20*That's=20a=20mouthful!*
=20I=20am=20of=20the=20opinion=20that=20mentally=20disabled=20people=20are=
=20way=20under
=20employed
=20and
=20jobs=20like=20Goodwill=20are=20completely=20the=20wrong=20job=20for=20ma=
ny=20of
=20them.=20But=20I'm
=20not=20a=20professional=20and=20I=20can=20only=20say=20from=20personal=20=
experience
=20that=20many
=20mentally=20disabled=20people=20can=20do=20what=20they=20want=20quite=20w=
ell=20and
=20often=20it's
=20because=20they=20are=20babied=20and=20misunderstood=20=20that=20they=20a=
re
=20pressured=20into
=20doing=20jobs=20they=20aren?=EC=85=B3=20good=20at.

=20I=20do=20wonder=20the=20need=20of=20blind=20adults=20to=20be=20working=20=
at=20good=20will
=20in=20the
=20first
=20place=20though=20when=20it's=20not=20that=20hard=20learning=20programmin=
g=20and
=20it's=20pretty
=20easy=20to=20get=20reeducated=20for=20free=20in=20the=20United=20States=20=
as=20a=20blind
=20person.=20If
=20your=20career=20isn't=20working=20out,=20I=20don't=20see=20why=20one=20w=
ouldn't=20just
=20take=20a
=20class=20at=20their=20community=20college=20and=20change=20their=20job.=20=
I=20believe
=20SSI=20is
=20for
=20college=20students=20and=20those=20fresh=20out=20of=20college,=20or=20fo=
r=20a=20back
=20up=20when
=20work
=20isn't=20coming.=20I=20am=20still=20a=20student,=20but=20I=20know=20I=20h=
ave=20for=20sure
=20jobs=20if=20I
=20go
=20into=20programming=20or=20being=20a=20TVI.=20So=20other=20than=20the=20m=
oral
=20issues,=20I'm=20not
=20sure=20why=20capable=20blind=20people=20are=20working=20at=20goodwill.
=20Thanks,

=20Brandon=20Keith=20Biggs
=20-----Original=20Message-----
=20From:=20Arielle=20Silverman
=20Sent:=20Saturday,=20June=2009,=202012=208:32=20PM
=20To:=20National=20Association=20of=20Blind=20Students=20mailing=20list
=20Subject:=20Re:=20[nabs-l]=20Goodwill=20Boycott

=20Hi=20all,
=20I=20don't=20shop=20at=20Goodwill=20either,=20but=20I=20was=20regularly=20=
donating
=20items
=20like=20used=20clothes=20to=20Goodwill,=20and=20my=20parents=20do=20as=20=
well.=20A
=20customer
=20boycott=20might=20not=20matter=20much=20but=20a=20donor=20boycott=20woul=
d=20probably
=20hurt
=20them=20considerably.=20I=20have=20to=20say=20I=20found=20Justin's=20argu=
ments=20very
=20persuasive.=20I=20just=20hope=20that=20if=20we=20boycott=20all=20branche=
s
=20nationally,=20we
=20make=20it=20very=20clear=20that=20what=20we=20want=20is=20a=20change=20t=
o=20national
=20policy.
=20Interestingly,=20I=20used=20to=20rent=20an=20apartment=20from=20a=20woma=
n=20(I'll
=20call=20her
=20S)=20whose=20full-time=20job=20was=20to=20be=20a=20live-in=20caretaker=20=
for=20a=20woman
=20with
=20Down's=20syndrome=20and=20significant=20mental=20retardation=20(I'll=20c=
all
=20her=20C).
=20Since=20I=20rented=20the=20apartment=20right=20below=20theirs,=20I=20got=
=20to=20know
=20both=20S
=20and=20C=20quite=20well=20and=20learned=20a=20bit=20about=20C's=20situati=
on.
=20Apparently=20C
=20is=20employed=20by=20a=20program=20for=20people=20with=20intellectual
=20disabilities
=20similar=20to=20Goodwill's=20but=20it=20wasn't=20Goodwill=20itself.=20I=20=
think=20S.
=20told
=20me=20that=20C.=20was=20paid=20around=20$1=20per=20hour=20for=20doing=20a=
n=20extremely
=20menial
=20job=20although=20I=20don't=20remember=20what=20that=20job=20was=20exactl=
y.
=20However,=20I
=20don't=20think=20C.=20had=20any=20living=20expenses=20at=20all=20because=
=20she=20lived
=20rent-free=20with=20S.=20She=20may=20have=20been=20helping=20pay=20for=20=
groceries.
=20The
=20program=20she=20was=20in=20was=20very=20custodial=20and=20I'm=20not=20su=
re=20she=20even
=20had
=20independent=20access=20to=20the=20money=20she=20earned=20at=20her=20job.=

=20I=20don't=20think=20I=20can=20really=20judge=20whether=20people=20with
=20disabilities=20like
=20C.'s=20are=20capable=20of=20living=20without=20custodial=20care=20or=20s=
pending
=20their
=20own=20money,=20any=20more=20than=20a=20deaf=20person=20should=20be=20abl=
e=20to=20judge
=20how
=20independent=20blind=20people=20can=20be.=20I=20do=20suspect=20that=20peo=
ple=20like
=20C.
=20would=20achieve=20more=20if=20they=20were=20held=20to=20higher=20expecta=
tions,=20and
=20higher=20expectations=20should=20come=20with=20higher=20wages=20and=20mo=
re
=20freedom.
=20I=20definitely=20believe=20that=20anyone=20who=20lives=20independently=20=
should
=20be
=20paid=20at=20least=20the=20minimum=20wage,=20and=20I=20think=20it=20is=20=
clear=20that
=20blindness
=20by=20itself=20doesn't=20prevent=20anyone=20from=20living=20independently=