[NAGDU] Do we stand out?

[Cindy Ray]

I believe the difference is that blindness has negative connotations--we are
dumb, deaf, retarded, can't cut it, bungling. And just for the record, I
don't actually believe these things. But people who are sighted do at some
level. Blending in means that we are being accepted maybe, or at least not
being noticed because we are blind. It just feels as if sometimes we are
being noticed in negative ways, which is actually often sometimes true. Cars
and the like are status symbols. Blindness often brings out the pitying
thing. I am sure you all think I am way more insecure than I actually am.
LOL. And all of this isn't about blindness at all, but about being over
weight. But honestly, once we were on a bus with some folks who were blind
and, of course, some sighted people. We were laughing and enjoying some
cookies, I think it was, and someone remarked something about how at least
we had some enjoyment.
Cindy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. via
NAGDU
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2016 8:27 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Do we stand out?

It's interesting to me that so many sighted people spend loads of time and
energy on standing out.  they want to be noticed.  They spend time on hair,
make up, clothes, cars...whatever.  Blind people do some of that stuff too,
but why is it that discussions always center around blind people blending in
while sighted folks want to stand out?

I'm not criticizing, my personal ambition is to blend in.  I feel like it's
a good day if I can go and do what I want or need to get done, without
interference, drama or general insanity.  Why is that though?  Where does
this fundamental difference in how we should be in the world come from?

Julie
Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
available! Get the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC


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