[NFB-DB] Family to Family Connect

[Chris Westbrook]

This is an interesting discussion. I haven't actually seen the flyer yet,
but I would just caution that we need to take a different tone with them
than we have here. Being angry will not give us any influence we need to
actually change things if things are as you suggest. I am not sure if I
will contact them or not. I feel weird being involved in deafblind things
because while I wear hearing aids and cannot cross streets independently
and have trouble with noisy environments, I don't sign and can function
well in most situations as a hearing person so I almost don't feel deaf
enough to be deafblind. Nonetheless I have enjoyed the discussion.

On Sun, Jun 18, 2017 at 9:33 AM Catherine Miller via NFB-DB <
nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Friends,
> Your points are well taken.  I completely agree.  The focus of such groups
> is children, and therefore it is natural they should have a custodial,
> protective view of their charges; their focus is not deafblind adults, and
> so they gear their language to each other.
>
> It is healthy to consider myself as a valid member of a family in which
> deafblindness is a factor.
>
> Let's be clear:  this is not my group; I did not create the flyer, and I
> do not perpetuate the problem.  I am simply there to assist in their
> development of a concept of a future for their children.
>
> My background is not education nor special education.  My background is
> psychology and mental health counseling.  I experienced first hand the
> competition and the relegation to inferior status among my colleagues.
> They have no motivation to change.
>
> But if you are interested in participating asa family memberamong other
> family members affected by deafblindness, and the language of the flyer
> stops you, self-advocacy demands that you bring the language of the flyer
> to their attention.  And if you want to go further, tell them when you
> register what type of accommodations you need.  The moderators are quite
> resourceful and will help you to feel comfortable.
>
> But special education, parenting, and particularly deafblindness are
> dynamic fields.  Knowledge about them is growing, and paradigms are
> shifting rapidly.  The thing that remains constant is "us," the deafblind
> people themselves, who have the ability to tell them when they're wrong.
> Do them a favor and inform them what's wrong with their flyer.  They really
> do need our help.
>
> By the way, this is a great discussion.  Thanks to each of you for
> offering your insight.
>
> Cathy
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
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