[nagdu] EXTERNAL:Re: Critical blind people

Tue Aug 3 18:14:59 UTC 2010

What is so hard to understand about a hearing impairment? Or that I say I
can't hear that or this? Yes granted there are different degrees of hearing
loss. But a plain and simple "I can't hear this or that" what else is there
to understand. When I encounter someone, I say in a understandable way. If I
need to ask more questions to get the answers, then I do. It is just like
anyone else saying, I can't see this or that. Why because theya re blind. Or
someone saying, I can't go because I don't have a car. Or someone saying, I
can't get that job because they don't have this or that education.  

There is no reason to get frustrated. That is like not being tolerant. That
is EXACTLY what we are talking about. Tolerence, is what more people need. I
do not expect you to understand what my  disabilities are. But I do expect
most people to tolerate, be polite, and have  compassion. 

I do the same for others, and yes I expect the same out of others too. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2010 1:19 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] EXTERNAL:Re: Critical blind people

Maybe the people you encountered just don't know what to do with the
information you're telling them? I know i wouldn't. If you said "I have
ah aring loss" I'd have not a clue what to do with that information. I
just wouldn't. If you said "I don't understand" well, I'd probably get
frustrated and say something like "I can explain it to you, I can't
understand it for you" because I'd not have a clue what you needed. 
Maybe you could say "I need you to (fit in whatveverr)" and that would
help. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Marsha Drenth
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 9:45 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: EXTERNAL:Re: [nagdu] Critical blind people

Dan,

Just like you and Rox'ie, I too have a hearing loss. And for example
this
year at convention, I got lost, some. But when I asked others around me
for
help, they said to go this way and to listen for this or that. And then
when
I say I don't understand, or can't hear that, the rude comments are
plenty.
It is very very frustrating. Most blind people take there hearing for
granted, and I even admit I did too before I started to loose my
hearing. 

I get the typical agruement from blind people that, I should use a cane
only. But when I am out, I get very disoriented. I can't hear traffic in
the
same way normal people can. If I am using my cane, my cane can't tell me
if
there are cars there or not. But if I am using my guide, and I need to
cross
streets by myself, then I feel safe. If I am going to a crowded place, I
can't hear to follow with my pup, so its easier to go sighted guide.
Emma is
as well able to follow, and does it well. But for example at the
convention,
there would have been to much distraction for this type of thing. Emma
is
very good at finding elevators, and stairs. If I can find a ramp or the
elevator, I will make it a big deal with her, because I want to find
that
again. I do not do well with stairs. 

So I do agree blind people can be very verycritical of each other. 

Just my two cents,
marsha 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf
Of Dan Weiner
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 6:16 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] Critical blind people

Charlene.
Interesting story...the comment the person on the elevator made is
precisely
the type of thing that makes me hesitate to be around a lot of blind
people
with dogs--smile.
Everyone's a critic, I seem to be the only one I know who doesn't try to
tell other handlers what to do.
Our fellow blind seem to be generally a rather judgmental lot who jump
to
conclusions.  I don't want another blind person or sighted person to try
to
make me feel ashamed because I may find things harder, Hell, some things
I
do better than the self-appointed critics, some worse.
This is actually a comment not meant only in terms of guide dog use, but
in
general terms.

You want examples, fine;
I have  a hearing loss in one ear, I can't tell where sound comes from
very
well, in other words I have problems with sound localization.
If I had a dollar for every time some fellow blind genius has made
asinine
comments such as: "Oh, I wonder why they gave him a dog, why can't he
follow
my voice", I'd be a rich guy.
Of course, our sighted brother and sisters are champions of this type of
brilliant and I believe deliberately hurtful comment.

I know Rox here has hearing problems, have blind people acted like
idiots to
you, too?

We want acceptance as blind people but we seem to have very little
tolerance
for diversity.

Now when at Leader, several of my fellow American students made helpful
comments like those. I say fellow American because I did notice the
Brazilians and Spaniards, whom I can communicate with through my
knowledge
of languages, were not making snide comments.    When at Leader, it
generally was gossiped that I couldn't find my chair at the cafeteria.
Yes, why? 
1. We don't work our doggies in the dorm for a long time.
2.  Unlike everyone else, I'm attempting to be considerate and not
barrel
through the place stepping on every one and everyone's dogs. Maybe
that's a
slight exaggeration.
Also, I felt I didn't get a very good explanation of where my seat was
and I
didn't have a chance to practice without a million people whom I had to
worry about stepping on--smile.

Now, that type of stuff used to piss me off big time. Obviously it still
does--smile--but I was much calmer about it this time than say other
times,
because I figured, I'm coming to guide dog school to better my quality
of
life and the other students won't be going home with me to hold my hand
and
make fun.

Any comments?--smile.

Especially some of the partially sighted guys were giving everyone else
a
blow by blow description of my hesitant walking style. I suppose they
would
have been happier if I lumbered barreling down the hall stepping on
people
and running them over because I couldn't hear where they were.  I'll
make
sure to two that next time so that everyone's happy.
When I'm by myself I'm fast, actually--smile

This has gone way off track, but I'd love to hear everyone's take on it.

Cordially,

Dan W. and the Carter Hound

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