[nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing

[Jim Marks]

Facts and logic?  Come on, John.  You're entitled to an opinion, but that's
all you've got.  It may be all any of us have, although it makes more sense
to pursue success rather than self-pity.  .  I bank on the belief that the
NFB shows us how not to be a victim rather than how to blame the victim.
Somehow, we've got to figure out a way to break all the prejudices about
what it means to be blind, and I think those who reject victimization and
reframe blindness in terms of first class citizenship, complete with all the
rights and responsibilities of that integration, offer strong philosophies
to guide us. 

Rock climbing is one activity that helps us break down negative attitudes
about the abilities of the blind.  From what I understand, only one center
uses rock climbing as an activity.  Students can elect to opt out, although
I'm sure the center encourages students to challenge themselves.
Challenging attitudes is what the rock climbing is all about, after all.

-------
Jim Marks
blind.grizzly at gmail.com
 
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of John G. Heim
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 10:38 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing

But I have no preconceived notions of the NFB. I have no idea why you'd 
assume I do.   My opinions on this issue were created the same way they 
always are -- by facts and logic. If you have either of those, facts or 
logic, that dispute my points, I would be glad to hear them.

The facts are that this whole thing started when someone said they didn't 
want to attend a NFB center because it required rock climbing and some 
(many?) NFB  centers do require those attending to climb rocks. Logically, 
it follows, that people unwilling to climb rocks would be excluded.  Only 
those who are already motivated enough to climb rocks would attend. Now, 
what part of this is in dispute? Are you saying that these centers requiring

rock climbing don't exist?  Are you disputing the logic that if someone  is 
unwilling to climb rocks, they  would not be able to attend one of those 
centers?

If anyone is making assumptions based on his preconceived notions, it's 
probably you.  You're too close to the NFB to see it's warts. Are there any 
policies or procedures of the NFB that you disapprove of?  You don't seem to

have agreed with any of my criticisms of the NFB. Is the NFB perfect then?