[nagdu] Parental Attitudes

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Marion,

You know how us kids who go blind just to punich our parents are!  I'm even
worse!  I went blind just to make life difficult for my spouse, too.

I think the pharse that finally popped out of my mouth with him was, "I'm
the one going blind here!"

People are strange about stuff like that, aren't they?

I give my roommate commands when we're going sighted guide for some reason.
He gives me commands, too!  /lol/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion & Martin
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 2:46 AM
To: NAGDU List
Subject: [nagdu] Parental Attitudes

Mark et Al,
    This whole exchange brings back a significant memory in my transition
from the sighted world into blindness. When I was in my early 30s - about 2
or 3 years ago (smile) - and when my RP progression was rather quick, I went
to visit my mom and stepfather. Since I only got there every 6 - 8 months,
there was a pretty significant and noticeable change in my eyesight. Dimly
lit rooms, like the bar my mom owned, were increasingly challenging and my
narrowing field made finding items using eyesight difficult, too. 
    I had been using a white cane for about 4 years and was considering
getting a guide dog. I talked about this over dinner one night, just a
matter-of-fact statement like, "I've been thinking about getting a guide
dog!" I was just making conversation, not asking for approval or input, as I
have had dogs most of my life and they were always welcomed when I visited
family. My stepfather (with whom I did not grow up) either didn't believe I
was going blind or just didn't want to hear anything about it, would
ridicule me for such things as using my cane and asking such things as
"Where's the ketchup?" One day I called my mom and he answered the phone. 
    "So, what's all this s**t about getting a guide dog? It's bad enough you
think you need to use that stupid stick, but a guide dog? You know what
that's doing to your mom?"
    Well," I answered, "do you know what it's doing to me?" 
    That was the end of that conversation!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala


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