[nabs-l] To Tell or Not to Tell: "I'm Blind."

[Zach Mason]

Hello all: 

 

When I return Monday from visiting family, I promise you a story about my
experiences, and an approach I've developed over the past six years that
seems to be yielding very positive results concerning bridging the
"blindness" barrier with employers, faculty, and ordinary people. 

 

 

Regards,

 

Zac

 

Zachary Mason

Assistant Shepherd and Young Stock Manager

Northwinds Farm

(603) 922-8377 Work

(603) 991-6747 Cell

 <mailto:zmason at northwindsfarm@gmail.com> zmason at northwindsfarm@gmail.com 

 

806 U.S. Route 3

North Stratford, NH 03590

 

 

On Dec 26, 2014, at 05:35, Leye-Shprintse ?berg via nabs-l
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org wrote:

 

BS'D

 

Hello all,

 

Recently, I've thought a lot about when I'll tell, or not tell, people that
I'm blind. I live in Sweden and have been told since childhood, by the Low
Vision Centre, the Swedish Association of the Visually Impaired and
teachers, that I need to tell people that I'm blind; otherwise, I'd be rude
or people wouldn't treat me fairly.

 

However, my experience is the other side around; and lately, it has become
painfully clear to me that people judge me even before they've met me
because I've told them that I'm blind and use a guide dog as my mobility
aid. The main reason why I tell people this is because it's legal in Sweden
to denny guide dog handlers access because of the 'dog'.

 

Since this last thing happened tough, I've decided to not tell people that
I'm blind in the future; I'll only tell universities beforehand and maybe
employers if it'll help my application. It'll take time tough to not feel
guilty about it; I even feel guilty when I think these thoughts. Brain
washed or not?!?

 

I want to be judged for the person I'm and not because of my disability. My
disability has formed me, but I'm not my disability. Okay? Right now, I'm
very tired and sad! I'd need a hug or two!

 

When do you tell or not tell that you're blind?

 

Lesholom,

Leye-Shprintse ?berg