[nagdu] Political Correctness ?? and rudness

[Mardi Hadfield]

I have a political correctness question. I have been referring to my self
as legally blind. I don't call my self blind, as I feel that might mislead
other people into thinking that I am totally blind.I do have some
sight,though it is diminishing.I am also deaf in one ear.I don't refer to
my self as Deafblind as I can still hear. I just can't tell where that
sound is coming from.As a matter of fact, I seldom even mention that I have
a hearing problem.I have mentioned it on this list due to some of the
threds that have been discussed here. Is it the right thing to call my self
a legally blind person? If not, what should I say to people.I often get
asked if my dog is a wheelchair dog or a guide dog.They ask me, why do I
need a guide dog if I am using a wheelchair. I guess they think that only
people that can walk become blind?I actually dread talking about this as I
end up explaining all about how I have spinal stenosis and that is why I
use a wheelchair and then how I was affected by brain damage  and then
affected by macular degeneration, and that is why I am legally blind. Then
I have to explain legal blindness. I am a very private person and hate
answering all these questions. But some how they always ask.Some times I
just don't answer and then people think I am rude. All this while they are
usually petting my dog. How do others on this list handle this situation?
Mardi and Shaman and Tipton,future GDIT.

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