[nfb-talk] Making Our Homes Comfortable and Accessible to Blind Folks

[David Andrews]

Ryan:

I have warned you previously about posting profane and inappropriate 
messages.  It doesn't seem to matter though, as you keep doing 
it.  Thus, I am placing you on moderated status.

We all understand that it is frustrating being blind, and things 
aren't always easy.    This is in part why we have this 
list.  However, your message isn't constructive and while it may make 
you feel better, I doubt it helped anyone else.

David Andrews, Moderator

At 04:07 PM 12/17/2011, you wrote:
>Jimbo:
>
>Next time your friends come over and bitch about the lack of light, say
>something like this:
>
>"You know what," (insert name) "...You know what? Every freakin' day, I get
>up and move around in a sighted world. I work on a finite schedule with the
>aid of public transit because I can't drive. If the bus or train is
>late...so am I. If inclement weather strikes, I don't get in my car and turn
>on the windshield wipers. I freeze my nuts off in the rain or snow until I
>can get on a bus. When I go shopping, I pray to God that I can land a
>shopper's assistant who is, at the very least, literate. If they speak
>English, it makes my day. If they speak English fluently...Jesus, I've been
>known to weep with joy. If I shop on line, I'll be lucky if capcha, internet
>graphics and flash don't give me a migraine that could floor Robin Williams
>on a coke binge!
>
>Sorry if I seem a little grumpy. I just came from a job for which I'm vastly
>over-qualified. I have a freakin' master's degree in mathematics, or
>genetics, or whatever, but every institution/company at which I apply is run
>by sighted pricks who have figured out a way not to hire me. God bless the
>ADA and the well-intentioned, ignorant bastards who sleep better at night
>for having passed it. And God bless social security, who is still haunting
>my ass four years later because I forgot to report the income I made running
>a cash register so that I could put bread on the table in between college
>semesters.
>
>It makes a guy wonder if Walter White didn't have a point. Screw it! Can
>blind people be meth cookers? You ever see Breaking Bad? You know...it's
>that super good crime show on AMC that doesn't air with description because
>Hollywood is too God damn cheap to give us description with all of their
>content, even though they can well afford to do so with minimal effort.
>
>You want friggin' light bulbs? Drive to the store and grab a few boxes. I'd
>take you myself, but I haven't won the Power Ball yet and can't afford a
>self-driving car. But let me give you directions. Siri! Work! C'mon, damn
>it! What's the nearest Wal-Mart? Flashlight? Who are you kidding? What
>friggin' flashlight? Just use my cigar lighter to light your way to the
>door. Pick me up a new can of butane on the way back. Yes, I smoke cigars.
>No, I'm not amazing. Dealing with your ignorant ass makes me wanna smoke one
>right now. No, I don't need help lighting it. Get your damn hands off me
>before Mr. Fist meets Mr. Sack!
>
>It's your world and you're the king. Every day, I get up and I don't just
>live. I thrive, brother. Grow the hell up!"
>
>Then, out loud you can say:
>
>"Umm, sure thing, man. Sorry for my insensitivity to your situation. Can you
>drive me to the nearest Safeway to grab a few bulbs? And hey...can we swing
>through for a Big Mac on the way home?"
>
>Now, Jimbo, I've been assuming that the people in question are men. If they
>are women, just say:
>
>"Lights? Honey, for what we're gonna be doin', we don't need no freakin'
>lights."
>
>Sexist and boorish, but oh so true.
>
>
>
>RyanO