[nagdu] Note from the moderator Re: my day from yesterday

Sat Nov 10 19:45:01 UTC 2012

Thank you, Marsha.  I am a partial and see this happen in the blind 
community in general during my 61 years of life as a visually impaired 
person.  I see this dynamic of "not blind enough" in many different 
communities.  People misunderstand partial vision.  They see things in black 
and white, missing the many shades of grey in between - our vast diversity 
in life.  People think blindness means total, blackness and that is not a 
good description.  Most blind people have some sort of vision - anything 
from light perception to seeing alot but not normal sight.

People like Sean and I can see some things but not well enough to travel 
safely.  Here is how I see:  I have sight in one eye and it is fairly decent 
sight but in a very small area - a tube.  I have no depth perception.  I can 
see the traffic signals and the little white man or the red hand on the Walk 
Sign - but better in low light or darkness.  I can read signs if close 
enouogh or large enough.  I can read print books with magnifying glasses.

But my vision is no way adequate for safe travel.  If a car gets into my 
little field of viaion, well, I can be dead after it has run me down.  I 
can't see curbs or steps.  My dog will keep me safe and show me curbs and 
steps or that car cutting in front of me.

At the guide dog schools, they teach us partials how to use our remaining 
vision along with the dog's job.  They teach us how not to let our vision 
interfere with the dog's work.  My dog sees the important stuff that keeps 
me safe and I can look around with my head up and not looking at my feet.  I 
can see a building I want to go into and then I just start to suggest 
"Inside" to my dog and allow him to guide me safely into that building.  I 
can look at and enjoy scenery as I walk like a sighted person would but 
still allow my dog to do his job as trained.  I have "night blindness" so I 
can see NOTHING in the dark.

In my own blind community, there was a woman who used to have sight but no 
longer has it.  She used to be nasty and jealouos of us wioth sight and used 
to say stuff about what are wwe doing with a dog when I coould see.  I told 
her about my sight and not being able to see after dark.  She stopped 
complaining about me having a dog when she realized that my sight is like 
hers used to be.  I did tell her that schools will not accept a person if 
they have too much sight or if they can't give up control and let the dog do 
its job and trust thast dog.  It varies.  Some totals can't give trust to a 
dog and they choose to stay with the white cane.  Some partials will 
override the dog's decisions and they do better without a dog.  This is why 
the schools evaluate each applicant before acceptance and after you are in 
training.

Marsha, I liked your answer - it has always been my answer to folks. 
Interestingly, I see the same sort of thing in other communities.  To 
bisexuals - you're not "gay enough".  To blacks who are light skinned or 
bi-racial - you're not "black enough".  In the transgender community - 
you're not "trans enough".  it is the same dynamic - a dynamic of not 
understanding each other and each person is different and each blind person 
sees differently.

Partially blind folks, biracial folks, transgender folks all are in the same 
boat:  We get crap from both ends of the spectrum.  Totally blind from birth 
folks, and other folks who don't fit the sterotypes in any group get this 
crap.  As partials, we get "You're not blind!" from both the totals and the 
fully sighted.  Like we are faking it.  this is hurtful to hear.

We all need to be more understanding of each other no matter what our 
situation is.  We all get crap for being something other than white, 
sighted, able bodied, straight, non-trans, non-male, non American in our 
society.  We need to stick together rather than tear each other down so that 
each human being on earth can live a life of safety, caring, and dignity.

Hope this helps people to be respectful and understanding to one another on 
this list.

Lyn and Landon
"Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 7:39 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Note from the moderator Re: my day from yesterday

> List,
>
> I am sorry first of all that I did not get to this thread before now. I am 
> currently in New York for their state convention.
>
> I will not tolerate anymore judgements on list members who have partial 
> vision. It is not our place to say how a person will mess up a dog. If a 
> school issued a guide to a partial, it is their judgement to make. Your 
> welcome to voice your opinion, but please. please. please. be nice!
>
> If I need to members off list about this I will do so. Please be accepting 
> of others.
>
> Marsha drenth
> Sent with my IPhone
> http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com
>
> On Nov 9, 2012, at 12:51 PM, Sean Moore <seanmoore87 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Thanks a lot for that, first nice word on this list  and my school list 
>> is just as supportive.
>>
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>
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