[Nfbc-info] on discussing medical conditions, pain etc. on this list

Rob Kaiser rcubfank at sbcglobal.net
Mon Nov 9 13:15:06 UTC 2015


Thank you for this post. I have refrained to talk about my other medical
issues I'm having because I know it does bother people. I felt the issue
with my right eye being removed was a blind issue. I must say it is a
different experience not having light perception in either eye right now. I
know this will take some getting use to. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lauren
Merryfield via Nfbc-info
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2015 2:13 AM
To: 'NFB of California List' <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Lauren Merryfield <lauren at catlines.com>
Subject: [Nfbc-info] on discussing medical conditions, pain etc. on this
list

Hi,

I've been thinking, after a few comments asking us not to discuss medical
conditions, pain and the like on this list; that it is a blindness-only, NFB
list. I think differently about that issue. 

 

1:I think that if we truly care about each other, we are willing to be a
listening ear about other aspects of our lives besides blindness. Blindness
is only one characteristic that we have that makes up the totality of who we
are. Learning to be a listening ear is a good thing to learn.

2:It is good for a person to be able to talk to someone about the things
that are bothering them. It is therapeutic and a lot better than stuffing it
in. 

3:We can learn to have empathy with others. I have had medical and pain
issues throughout my life so I do have empathy for others who do. 

4:We don't see each other that much except on this list, so I think it is
okay to share other aspects of our lives so that we get to know each other
better and care about each other. If we only relate to someone's blindness,
in a sterile way, there is no caring or camaraderie there. To me, when
someone is intolerant of such posts, they are telling the rest of us that
they don't care. That is sad. 

 

I, for one, have been able to help several blind people over the years who
have lost an eye or both eyes. It is a traumatic decision for someone to
make and I had to talk to other blind people first before I could make the
decision to have it done. It is definitely a blindness issue and it comes up
every now and then. I have been able to help regarding prosthetic eyes also.
There are people who have never heard of them who need them. I am always
glad to help make the situation less scary for the person having it done. I
know some may think it is gross, but gross is not life or death; it won't
hurt anyone. 

 

I was married to a guy who had one medical issue after another. I was a
little grossed out when I first met him but I learned to tolerate and accept
what he was dealing with. He really appreciated my acceptance of him. I
learned not to be grossed out by some of his issues and he told me once that
many people avoided him because of them. He passed on 8 years ago and I am
relieved now that I knew him and that I allowed myself to get ungrossed by
him and be there to support him. That support, from me and a few others,
probably lengthened his life. 

 

5:If I can do it, you guys can. I know I come from a lifetime of medical
issues, however, I think that others can learn to become more tolerant of
situations that they have not experienced. One never knows when it might be
your turn, or a family member's turn, or a friend's turn, and you would want
to be there for them, wouldn't you?

6: When you're on your death bed, and, yes, sometime you will be, you aren't
going to think about how many times you answered to the call of just the
blindness aspect in someone; you are going to think about whether you cared
about, or even loved, other whole people, warts and all, as someone put it.
You might wonder if you lived your life well and made a difference while you
were here. Listening to someone else's life stuff might take some extra
time, but it is a way of making the world a better place, one person or
issue at a time. 

Thanks and hope I don't get kicked off of the list for getting on my soap
box. 

Lauren

 

Blessings in Jesus' name:

My digital evangelism blog is at:

www dot ask in jesus name dot org (you need to retype it) 

Psalm 34:1-2 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 

Advice from my cats:"meow when you feel like it." 

 

 

 

 

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