[nagdu] beginning to use a cane

[Tami Kinney]

Sheila,

Well said! That's my attitude, too, so that when others are trying to 
make sure I notice that I am less than human and not fit to be in their 
space breathing their air, I simply continue to believe I am human and 
behave accordingly. In other words, i just go around being me without 
reference to what other people think I am. If I get a chance, I smile 
brightly at whichever fool is making the point to all around the there 
is a nonhuman presence who does not belong there. If it's appropriate, I 
even toss off a cheery greeting or parting or something. "Have a nice day!"

I do not do this because I am a nice person. I do this because I know 
that it is the meanest thing in the world I can do to someone like that, 
especially if they are carrying on this way in public. /lol/ My response 
to them, as if they are just people like me alters the attitudes, 
expressions, etc. of the captive audience. I can even feel the change in 
how everyone is breathing. So I maintain my cheery smile on a vengeance 
is sweet basis and just go on my way, sharing wry chitchat with those 
who say something to me in a respectful, courteous or kind tone. My work 
here is done!

Beauty of all that corporate experience I started on when I was so 
young. One does learn to play power games to win. Teehee.

Okay, I'm an obnoxious twit, but I am *not* a second class citizen as a 
woman or as a blind woman. Though it's funny. I'm reading a discussion 
on another list about people who grab blind people. As always, I am 
shocked by how many blind people believe that we should appreciate that 
people are so helpful that they will grab us forcibly to lead us where 
they think we should go. To me, since that is not considered an 
appropriate way for people to treat people, I do not believe it is an 
acceptable way for people to treat me. It took me a bit to learn to 
adapt my usual methods of both verbal and nonverbal communication once 
others started identifying me as "not people," but by now I've got a 
working repertoire of responses to use for any occasion to ensure these 
sorts grasp that what they are doing is not okay and that I am not 
grateful. Besides, if I need help, I will ask for it, and I will ask for 
the specific help I need. If I do not ask for help, then it can be 
safely assumed I do not need help because I've got it covered. Thank you 
very much. /lol/

We will just not talk about people who try to help by grabbing the cane 
or the handle on the guide dog harness... Oh, I think not! What is wrong 
with people who do that, anyway. Oh, never mind. /smile/

Tami

On 12/22/2011 08:49 AM, Sheila Leigland wrote:
> I see many interesting posts on the subject on the cane. The most disturbing one for me have to do with the perceptions of being a second class citizen or worse than that. I'm not a second class citizen or worse than that and I won't accept that kind of treatment from anyone. I had to learn to stand up for myself and my right to take up space on this planet and noone will take that away from me.
>
> Sheila Leiglan	d
>
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