[nfb-talk] Wanting to See

[kaye zimpher]

First I want to say, that having read the original post, I am wondering how 
we got from "are feelings normal" to "we are all defective morons." Well, 
John didn't say moron, that was a joke, but that is just to say it has 
stretched the topic a bit. But enough of that, now on to my response to Jen.
Personally, I too have been blind from birth. I actually can't remember a 
time that I ever wanted to see. There was a time, when I was much younger 
that I did not accept myself, or my place in life, but as I got older, and 
realized a few things, I have grown to love my life as a blind person.
I have found that many of the things that people "wish they could see," I 
already have a basis for in my mind, and like you, I don't want to ruin 
that. I am a perfectly capable person, and I would not want, at the age of 
46, to take the time to truly relearn life. Also, and here's where many may 
disagree, I am a believer in God, and I truly believe that He made me this 
way for his reasons. It is upon me to accept those reasons and live the life 
He asks of me.
I've been asked before if I feel that God will heel me. I usually say that 
if he sees the need, he definitely has the power, but I believe this is 
exactly who he wants me to be. Why would I challenge that?
When it comes to conveniences, I feel that much of what a sighted person 
does, I also do. Have you ever lived in New York? Nobody there drives, they 
all take the subway or cab, or now Uber, so how is that different from me? I 
watch TV, I listen to books, and while many sighted folks don't listen to 
audio books, some do. I cook, clean, work, complain about my relationship, 
my job and the state of the world, and I crave snack foods when I'm dieting. 
*smile* So having said all this, I find my life to basically be the same as 
everyone else's.
As for whether or not your feelings are normal. They are your feelings, so 
they are your normal. Only you can feel the way you do, and noone can take 
it away or tell you not to. It is all in how you deal with those feelings 
that matters.
Sorry for the long post. Everyone have a great weekend.
Kaye in Jacksonville Florida, where it is *not* snowing!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jen via nfb-talk" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>; <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Jen" <spiderweb1 at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2017 8:30 PM
Subject: [nfb-talk] Wanting to See


> Hi everyone,
>
> As I posted on my "driverless cars" thread, I'm totally blind from birth.
>
> I have always been interested in visual things. They include
>
> * pictures, especially pictures of pictures
> * colors
> * the sky
> * videos
> * light and the various ways it can be manipulated, like with shadows and
> optical illusions
> * rainbows
>
> ... and so many others.
>
> Now here's my question. I wish I could see sometimes. Is this normal for a
> blind person? I'm not consumed by these feelings. I don't feel sorry for
> myself for being blind, and I have incorporated alternative techniques 
> into
> my life. So personally, I consider myself as a well-adjusted blind person.
> At the same time though, I wouldn't want my sight back because, since I've
> never had it, everything would be too much clutter for me. Also, I have my
> own pictures of visual things in my mind's eye, and I wouldn't want to 
> ruin
> them.
>
> My family and friends, who are sighted, tell me it is normal to have these
> feelings. But it would be great to get some feedback from my fellow
> Federationists.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
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