[NFB-DB] Family to Family Connect

[The Pawpower Pack]

Chris, 
I have not seen any anger here. Just a discussion.  I know and respect Cathy and know she was just passing on information.  Those of us who take issue with the language of the flier aren't taking issue with Cathy personally. 
Best, 


 Rox and the kitchen Bitches: 
Mill'E, Laveau, Soleil
Pawpower4me at gmail.com
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 18, 2017, at 9:57 AM, Chris Westbrook via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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