[NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption Against Advance Notice

[S L Johnson]

Hello:

I am always very grateful when the airline moves me t a better seat.  That 
is much better than my dog being squished in a tight place and the passenger 
sitting next to me complaining about having to be near a dog.  I consider 
that a reasonable accommodation.  I feel the same about preboarding.  If 
they are willing to let me get myself and the dog settled before the other 
passengers begin pushing and shoving then I am all for it.  I do not think 
in any it is demeaning to us as blind people.  It is no different than them 
allowing extra time for someone using a walker or wheelchair.  Let's get 
real, it does take us a bit longer to get ourselves settled and avoiding the 
crowd is much better, especially when people these days are so impatient and 
likely to cause a fuss.  I think many blind people are much too sensitive to 
what some of you consider preferential treatment.  If you were a senior 
citizen who needed more time would you think it was wrong to let them have 
it?  no, you probably wouldn't.  I think we have to quit being so judgmental 
of others.  If you do not want what you consider as preferential treatment 
then politely decline it but don't knock anyone else for taking it.  Show 
appreciation for any airline or any other public transportation or 
accommodation for being kind enough to offer you a better place for you and 
your dog.  Changing the public attitude about blindness goes both ways.  We 
cannot insist on respect if we become rude whenever anyone tries to be nice 
to us.  One day many years ago I was in New York city.  I was at a very busy 
intersection waiting for the traffic light to change.  I did not know that 
signal was out of order until a person came up to me to offer assistance. 
That woman said she was very reluctant to offer assistance because many 
times she had been yelled at by blind people when she offered to help them. 
She said she found blind people to be very rude and hostile.  Obviously this 
is not the image we want to give the public.  Therefore, if you do not want 
assistance or to take advantage of other accommodations you don't think you 
deserve, then please decline with extreme politeness and consideration.

Sandra Johnson and Eva
-----Original Message----- 
From: David via NAGDU
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2016 3:24 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: David
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [nagdu] Preferential Treatment was: Blanket Prosciption 
Against Advance Notice

I think that comparison is a bit of stretch, Marion.

If the regular seats would fit ordinary humans, I might consider it
preferential treatment, but since they don't, I think it is a reasonable
accommodation.

I don't mind paying for adequate space, by the way, but I also don't
mind not being charged for it.

David and Claire Rose in Clearwater, FL

On 12/2/2016 1:16 PM, Buddy Brannan via NAGDU wrote:
> This is a little like what we hear so many times about God giving us a 
> keener sense of hearing or touch to compensate for our blindness.


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