[Nfbk] NFB Philosophy

[Lora Felty]

It sounds to me as though we really need to educate this individual on NFB 
philosophy.  However, in certain circumstances I can sort of see her idea 
about the medic alert bands being beneficial.  This isn't to say that I 
think all blind people should run out and get a bracelet, not at all.  I do 
know, however, that when you are in the hospital for surgery or if you are 
very ill, it is important that medical staff and nurses know that you are 
blind.  In one instance, when I was hospitalized and basically unconscious, 
a nurse came in to check on me.  She pulled open my right eye, which has a 
prosthesis, and shined a light into it.  She was quite startled when there 
was no pupillary reaction.  Fortunately, a family member was there to tell 
her that my eye was artificial.  In another instance when I was being 
prepared for surgery by the anesthesiolagist, he shoved a tongue depressor 
with horrible tasting gel into my mouth without telling me he was going to 
do this or letting me know if I was meant to swallow it or spit it out. 
Also, there have been times when I was so ill that I couldn't really 
communicate to medical professionals that I was blind.  So, my point is that 
when you are very ill and unable to communicate your visual condition, the 
medical staff need to be informed some how.  I think that firstly, it is the 
blind individual's responsibility to inform medical staff, and it should be 
individual choice, but on the other hand, there are countless medical staff 
that one might come in contact with.  One time when I was hospitalized a 
nurse put up a sign above my bed that said that I was blind.  I really don't 
like that, but that was a time when I was basically unconscious and could 
not speak for myself.  So, I really don't know the "right""answer, and I 
don't intend to get a medic alert bracelet, but I do understand that one 
might be beneficial to some blind persons in some circumstances.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cathy" <cathyj at iglou.com>
To: "NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List" <nfbk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2011 2:22 PM
Subject: [Nfbk] NFB Philosophy


> Good Afternoon All,
>
> I had the opportunity to listen to a message that was left on the NFB of
> Greater Louisville Talking Bulletin board. The lady who left the message 
> is
> disabled, but not a member of our organization. She ranted on about what 
> she
> thought was wrong with the NFB and what we needed to do to correct our
> mistakes. It was clear to me after listening to her message and having a
> telephone conversation with her, she really doesn't have a clue about what
> NFB stands for. Nevertheless, one proposal she presented really got my
> attention. She believes that blind people should wear medic alert 
> bracelets.
> When I questioned her as to why she thought this would be beneficial, she
> commented, and I paraphrase, well we might get up off the stretcher or ER
> bed and run into a wall, or we wouldn't know what was available to us.
> Obviously if someone has a medical condition that is life-threatening, or
> may present itself in such a way that medical personnel may misinterpret 
> the
> symptoms, one should wear a medic alert bracelet. Blindness is NOT one of
> those conditions. The blind people I know aren't going to leap out of a 
> bed
> and run into a wall. This is exactly the kind of negative attitudes that 
> we
> must continue of fight. I want to hear your comments.
>
> Cathy
>
>
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