[NAGDU] My Take on the Condo Pool Issue

[Chaim B. Segal]

Hi Folks:

First and foremost, I say without any hesitation that this individual has her right to take her dog to the pool area of the complex. This being said, of course, the dog should be chained to a table, tree, or some other appropriate object that cannot be dragged around. Nen, I might sound like I am talking out of the other side of my mouth when I make my next statement, so let me just say this is my personal preference.

Normally, I currently do not take my dog swimming with me, whether I am using my complex's pool, or going to my community's recreation center. I have what I feel to be legitimate reasons why not to do so, which if I go into detail about, we will get off-track. Truth be told, if I start going for morning lap swims before work, I may indeed need to take and use Yahtzee at the rec center. However, even if I do, I will assure that should he come into the pool area with me, he will behave, and be chained in an out-of-the-way spot so as not to attract unnecessary attention to himself or us. 

I think there are a few deeper issues here. When those of you have been posting regarding the complex management not informing blind people of upcoming inspections, it brings the following to mind. I recently had to demand that our local transit inform us via E-mail about accrued no-shows. Yesterday, my reader found one for my wife in our snail mail. If I did not have so much to do this week, I would put a call into them and remind them. All of us need to continue to be vigilant regarding getting our needs fulfilled.

I suspect that the complex management in question may be acting out of fear. I have noticed that some sighted folks out there are afraid to make exceptions for us, even when they see the reason for it. Their gut feeling is, "If I do it for you, then I'll have to do it for the next person who asks." This is partially an indirect factor which led to my termination on my last job back in 2012. I am wondering if perhaps management is afraid that if they let this tenant use her dog by the pool area and other residents see it, they'll ask, "Well, if she can do it, why can't we?" Obviously, this is still no excuse. I'm sure most, if not all other tenants know she is blind. Even if they do however, there seems to be an overall problem in our society that people cannot think beyond themselves. I am noticing that this problem knows no boundary of race, class, or culture.

Truthfully, I think stories like this should make national news. It might cause some people out there to become curious, and ask some true questions of value.

Have to go for now.

Ciao!

Chaim 

Chaim B. Segal
Contact Marketing Representative
Sinclair College
Dayton, Ohio

Please check out my web site for more information regarding Part One of my first published work:
http://www.dvorkin.com/chaimsegal

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