[nagdu] "Starting a Dialogue?

Linda Gwizdak linda.gwizdak at cox.net
Thu May 13 16:00:19 UTC 2010 

I think that pastor should give you equal time at the pulpit to talk about 
blindness issues and how talk like that IS demeaning to blind people.

This could be arranged by talking to the pastor by phone first to let him 
know privately that his remarks were NOT okay. Your pulpit talk would be 
generally about how blind people can do the same things as sighted folks 
except that we have to do these things differently.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cathryn Bonnette" <cathrynisfinally at verizon.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] "Starting a Dialogue?


> All:
>
> I am very interested in this discussion since recently my pastor remarked
> from the pulpit that congregation members had helped me with moving, and
> "every box we moved she fell over." Actually, I had not fallen over 
> anything
> the entire day, and I definitely regretted my risk in asking for 
> assistance
> from church members when I had several other sources available.  The
> perception seems to be that I am amazing if I can walk down the street
> without falling, and similar evaluations of my "inspiring" capabilities. 
> Am
> I crazy, or is this type of comment demeaning and offensive??? The folks
> making comments seem to believe they are being encouraging and 
> appropriate.
> I will confront this issue with this pastor- probably tomorrow evening 
> when
> we generally talk by telephone. I would be most appreciative of thoughts,
> ideas, suggestions from this group since I am relatively new at dealing 
> with
> this issue- becoming blind late in 2005.
>
> Thanks in advance for any comments etc. you may be able to provide.
>
> Cathryn (& Abby)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Marion Gwizdala
> Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:44 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: [nagdu] "Starting a Dialogue?
>
> Dear All,
>    I fully appreciate the sentiment that "starting a dialogue" is a far
> better approach to this issue than protesting it. As for the Foundation
> Fighting Blindness, I have written to them on a number of occasions to 
> share
>
> how their view of blindness and the information they disseminate does more
> harm than good to the blind. I also know that, in the case of FFB, some of
> their very involved blind volunteers have also shared their concerns about
> the approach they employ to no avail.
>    In addition to FFB, I have also expressed my concerns to other
> organizations that employ the fear factor in raising funds and "awareness"
> (please notice quotes, as it is not, IMO), including some of the 
> Lighthouses
>
> for the Blind and Prevent Blindness. Their tactics, however, are very
> fruitful for them, helping raise their much-needed revenue. Furthermore,
> they have the support of those in the blind community who feel indebted to
> them for the help they have received, as well as those who have a negative
> view of blindness and cannot see the proverbial "forest through the 
> trees",
> as they generally enjoy the coddling, having been taught by these
> organizations that this is the best they can expect of themselves and 
> should
>
> accept the good will of the public who, after all, "are only trying to
> help"! This brings up another applicable proverb: "The road to hell is 
> paved
>
> with good intentions!"
>    "Starting a dialogue" implies that one has not yet been attempted. Not
> only has it been attempted, the NFB has published information that I have
> shared on this list concerning the dangers of simulation exercises such as
> "Dining in the Dark". Furthermore, as I have also stated on this list, the
> few people who pay $100+ per plate to eat in the dark are not the only 
> ones
> impacted by this inaccurate portrayal of the incapacity of the blind. When
> news releases are circulated by these "experts on blindness" (again, see
> quotes, as they are not!), the media accepts the stereotypes and reports 
> on
> them, not only by reporting on the event, but by believing such 
> inaccuracies
>
> as our compensatory abilities and heightened senses, using such
> misconceptions in future reporting!
>    Whether discrimination is founded in hatred or in pity, it is founded 
> in
>
> the same underlying ignorance. If we are to be seen as equals, we must be
> treated as equals. differential treatment founded in the pitifulness
> simulation exercises promote do nothing to bring us to the point of
> equality. Rather, it relegates us to a second-class status in which we are
> seen as needy! This results in many people seeing me, no matter how
> successful I may be, and saying "There but for the grace of God go I!" 
> They
> are really saying, "Oh, poor man! I am glad I am not like him!" They have 
> no
>
> clue how full and wonderful my life is and, most likely, imagine it to be
> very depressing! After all, "If I were blind, I would kill myself!" How 
> many
>
> times have we all heard this? I, personally, would rather be blind than
> dead! JMHO!
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 2:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>
>
>> And isn't starting a dialogue a great thing and a good step toward
>> dispelling misperceptions about our abilities
>>
>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>> CEO/Founder
>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>> New York, New York  10004
>> www.myblindspot.org
>> PH: 917-553-0347
>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who 
>> is
>> doing it."
>>
>>
>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Linda Gwizdak
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 12:55 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>
>> Hey Margo,
>> Look at it this way - the waitors are all real blind people.  Yes, the
>> sighted diners are bumbling around but they do see how efficient the
>> genuine
>>
>> blind waitors are in serving them!
>>
>> It's all just a gimmick that can start a real dialog on blindness.
>>
>> Lyn and Landon
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Margo and Arrow" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 1:40 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>
>>
>>> but while they are in the experience, they must think we're so helpless
>>> because they're blundering about trying to figure out how to dine while
>>> blindfolded.  I do not like blindness simulations at all.  Makes us look
>>> helpless.
>>>
>>> margo and arrow
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Linda Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 12:31 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>> I never went to a "Dining in the Dark" event - too expensive! But, I
>>>> know
>>
>>>> some people who worked for it a few years ago here in San diego.  I
>>>> don't
>>
>>>> think it is around anymore as those people have moved on to other jobs.
>>>> They never said that the "Dining in the Dark" was bad towards 
>>>> blindness.
>>>> After all, everyone had fun and had the knowledge that the blindfold
>>>> come
>>
>>>> off or the lights get turned on and they go off to live their sighted
>>>> lives. I see this as a gimmick to fundraise with and I have no problem
>>>> with it. I see no harm in it.  the people know that the waitors are all
>>>> really blind and that is something positive.
>>>>
>>>> As far as a "realistic" experinece for sighted people, I think it is 
>>>> the
>>>> same as doing a "White Cane Safety Day" and having people don 
>>>> blindfolds
>>>> to walk with a cane. It makes people aware that they actually have 
>>>> other
>>>> senses other than sight that really do influence their movement in the
>>>> envirnment.
>>>>
>>>> It probably is like a person who is newly blind and hasn't learned any
>>>> skills yet.
>>>>
>>>> Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms out there in NAGDU-land!
>>>>
>>>> Lyn and Landon
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2010 10:07 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I am curious, as we seem to find fault in the dining in the dark
>>>>>experience
>>>>> has any one of us attended one of these events to find out first hand
>>>>> how
>>>>> blindness is presented at these events? I recall the response to
>>>>> letters
>>>>> sent to Florida highlighting the sensory appreciation of food devoid 
>>>>> of
>>>>> sight influencing one's taste or preference over what to try and or 
>>>>> not
>>>>> try.
>>>>> It would be interesting   to here from someone with first hand
>>>>> experience
>>>>> with attendance at one of these events.
>>>>>
>>>>> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
>>>>> CEO/Founder
>>>>> My Blind Spot, Inc.
>>>>> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
>>>>> New York, New York  10004
>>>>> www.myblindspot.org
>>>>> PH: 917-553-0347
>>>>> Fax: 212-858-5759
>>>>> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one 
>>>>> who
>>>>> is
>>>>> doing it."
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Julie J
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2010 12:28 PM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>>>>
>>>>> The article says it was established in 2008.  I suppose that is in
>>>>> reference
>>>>>
>>>>> to the US school, since the one in Canada has been around for a while.
>>>>> That's pretty recent and could be why no one has heard of it before.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think the whole concept of "Dining in the Dark" is not very
>>>>> productive
>>
>>>>> in
>>>>> the long run.  Helpful in raising funds, yes, but pretty low in any
>>>>> meaningful understanding of blindness.
>>>>>
>>>>> JMHO
>>>>> Julie
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Buddy Brannan" <buddy at brannan.name>
>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010 9:06 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Why haven't we heard of who? Mira or the Carolina Eye thingy? Mira 
>>>>>> has
>>>>>> been around a while, but I didn't know they were expanded into the 
>>>>>> US;
>>>>>> Mira is a guide dog school in Quebec. (They teach their guide dogs
>>>>>> French.)
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>>>>>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On May 7, 2010, at 7:03 PM, Margo and Arrow wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> got problems with this--dining in the dark and why haven't we heard
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> them before?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Margo and Arrow
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Toni Eames"
>>>>>>> <eeames at csufresno.edu>
>>>>>>> To: <gdui-friends at yahoogroups.com>; <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2010 12:57 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Carolina Eye Partners With Mira Foundation
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Wednesday, May 5, 2010
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>
> <http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/may/05/carolina-eye-partners-mira-foundat
>>>>>
>>
> ion/>http://www.thepilot.com/news/2010/may/05/carolina-eye-partners-mira-fou
>>>>> ndation/
>>>>>>>> Mira Foundation USA, a nonprofit dedicated to providing guide dogs
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> children in need, announces Carolina Eye Associates as one of the
>>>>>>>> organization's founding corporate partners.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Mira USA is the only nonprofit providing guide dogs to visually
>>>>>>>> impaired
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> young children in the United States. The two organizations both
>>>>>>>> share
>>>>>>>> the same concern and commitment to providing young children with 
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> resources - and companions - that enable personal independence and
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> freedom of mobility.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Carolina Eye is also the headline sponsor of Mira USA's upcoming
>>>>>>>> "Dining
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> in the Dark" fundraiser event taking place May 14 at the Country
>>>>>>>> Club
>>
>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> North Carolina in Pinehurst.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Mira USA is an organization close to all our hearts, and we admire
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> passion with which they've tackled the huge job of providing these
>>>>>>>> specially trained guide dogs to young children across our country,"
>>>>>>>> said
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dr. Greg Mincey, of Carolina Eye Associates. "We are proud to be a
>>>>>>>> part
>>>>>>>> of Mira USA's mission for improving the lives of children in need 
>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> guide dog and invite other companies and organizations nationwide 
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> join us in supporting their effort."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Dining in the Dark" is one of many community activities held to
>>>>>>>> raise
>>>>>>>> awareness and funds to support the work of Mira USA. The concept
>>>>>>>> began
>>>>>>>> in Germany and has spread to cities where restaurants offer a 
>>>>>>>> unique
>>>>>>>> twist on a normal dinner out: guests gather to wine and dine in
>>>>>>>> darkness. With the complete loss of vision - and the resulting
>>>>>>>> heightening of the other four senses - Dining in the Dark will be 
>>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>>> extraordinary adventure.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "This is the first time such an event has been presented in North
>>>>>>>> Carolina," said a spokesman. "Reserved seats are filling quickly 
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> this dinner as the community has embraced both the novelty of the
>>>>>>>> event
>>>>>>>> and the mission of Mira USA."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "We are grateful to have the support of the distinguished team at
>>>>>>>> Carolina Eye Associates," said Robert Baillie, Mira USA founder and
>>>>>>>> chairman. "There are over 57,000 visually impaired young children 
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> United States and ours is a big undertaking to begin to serve this
>>>>>>>> largely overlooked population by providing specially trained 
>>>>>>>> service
>>>>>>>> dogs. I've experienced how the dog can provide a bridge between the
>>>>>>>> child and the community, diminishing the stigma often associated
>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>> disabilities, and with the support of the public and organizations
>>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>>> Carolina Eye, we will give as many children as possible this
>>>>>>>> tremendous
>>>>>>>> gift of independence and companionship."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> MIRA Foundation USA Inc. is dedicated to enriching the lives of the
>>>>>>>> largely overlooked population of young children living with
>>>>>>>> disabilities
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> by providing specially trained service dogs. Mira USA was
>>>>>>>> established
>>
>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 2008 by Robert Baillie. Having suddenly lost his sight and 
>>>>>>>> realizing
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> life-changing difference his guide dog Devon made for him, Bob set
>>>>>>>> out
>>>>>>>> to improve the experience of individuals living with blindness.
>>>>>>>> These
>>>>>>>> special dogs and services are given to children free of charge.
>>>>>>>> Although
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Mira USA will provide dogs to all who qualify, its main focus is on
>>>>>>>> children 11 years of age and above. Mira USA believes everyone
>>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>>> have access to the tools and resources that enable personal
>>>>>>>> independence
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> and freedom of mobility, and invites you to be a part of it. Learn
>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>> at <http://www.mirausa.org>www.mirausa.org or (910) 944-7757.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Carolina Eye Associates is one of the largest eye-care practices in
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> Southeast, with eight regional eye-care centers in North and South
>>>>>>>> Carolina. Carolina Eye was established in 1977 in 
>>>>>>>> Pinehurst/Southern
>>>>>>>> Pines, N.C., by Dr. Robert Gale Martin and Dr. George Tate Jr. 
>>>>>>>> Since
>>>>>>>> then, patients from across the United States and more than 20
>>>>>>>> foreign
>>>>>>>> countries have come to Carolina Eye for eye care needs. For more
>>>>>>>> information, please visit
>>>>>>>> <http://www.carolinaeye.com>www.carolinaeye.com.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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