[nagdu] "Starting a Dialogue?

Fri May 14 12:07:40 UTC 2010

If his comment bothered you, then deffinately speak up and offer to do a
presentation on blindness.  
Odds are, the paster had mouth diarehea, and people always make dumb
jokes about moving, I've read that moving ranks up there with death in
terms of the stress level it imposes
Me, I wouldn't ask my church to help us move because I truly believe
moving is something professionals need to do and because if I do a cost
assessment, I'd pay more in beer and unneeded assistance then I would to
movers. And, you do always pay as you're finding out even if it isn't
paying in monetary assets. 
Deffinately go talk to the paster and listen to what he has to say. Odds
are, he'll just need to say he said something dumb and say it publicly,
though doing a presentation on blindness as well as involving yourself
in church outreach would do more then any presentation will.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Cheryl Osborn
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 7:25 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] "Starting a Dialogue?

Hi Cathryn,

Are you sure that your pastor wasn't just making a joke?  As for
people in general,  they can be very patronizing with their comments
without realizing it.  It's up to you to let them know what you are
capable of.  If blind people came with a set of instructions, we would
all have to do everything the same way. <grin>

On 5/12/10, Cathryn Bonnette <cathrynisfinally at verizon.net> wrote:
> 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-fou
ndat
>>>>>
>>
>
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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