[Nfbk] Much work to be done

Sat Sep 21 17:30:31 UTC 2013

These stories are just a few examples of why our work in the Federation is
so important. I get a sick feeling when I think about how blindness is
viewed in our culture. It truly is up to us to show the world that we're not
helpless, pitiful people who need handouts and heroism to simply exist. It
doesn't matter how blind you are either. you can be totally blind or have a
significant amount of usable vision - in the eyes of the sighted world blind
is blind and we all need to be saved by their well-intentioned but misguided
efforts. Something that keeps nagging at me is why aren't people praised and
heralded as heroes for just doing something like this for their fellow man.
why does the kindness have to involve someone with a disability in order for
it to be noteworthy? 

What are some ways that as Federationists we can change these attitudes and
ideas about blindness? I'm curious to know what you all think are some real
things we can do here in the state of Kentucky and in our local chapters.
What are your ideas? Some of you newer folks feel free to speak up here - we
want to hear what your ideas are too!

Melanie

From: Nfbk [mailto:nfbk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Penny,Kayla null
Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2013 12:58 PM
To: NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Nfbk] What are your thoughts?

Hey everyone, 

Here's another one locally from this week
http://www.whas11.com/news/crimetracker/LMPD-Woman-steals-from-blind-womans-
purse-during-haircut-224125161.html .  In this case someone stole from a
blind woman in Louisville while giving her a haircut in her home.  If you
read a lot of the comments about this on Facebook and other news sites
people perceive that the crime is worse because the person being robbed is
blind.  It's the exact opposite of the incidents that Melanie and Nickie
mentioned but in the end it's the same problem.

Katie   

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From: Nfbk <nfbk-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Nickie Pearl <njp at twc.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2013 11:50 AM
To: NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Nfbk] What are your thoughts? 

Hi guys!

    This article gave me the same reaction as the story earlier in the week
at the Navy yard shooting.  A sighted man had helped his blind co-worker get
out of the building. He was tagged as a "hero" on social media & even on the
Today show.  

I appreciate their generosity to their fellow man, but don't believe a hero
that makes!  In general I think the media uses the tag "hero" way too much
now of days. I suppose it's a good thing to reward & spotlight
kindness...hoping it will rub off of some people, but to make it seem if you
help a blind or disabled person you are a hero...that seems a tad much! 

    Nickie!

From: Kevin Pearl <mailto:kvnprl at twc.com>  

Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2013 11:07 AM

To: NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List <mailto:nfbk at nfbnet.org>  

Subject: Re: [Nfbk] What are your thoughts?

Hi Melanie,  

I had the same reaction as you. 

Kev

On Sep 21, 2013, at 8:20 AM, "Melanie Peskoe" <mpeskoe at twc.com> wrote:

Hello NFBK family,

I listened to an article this morning titled "Warren Buffet Calls to Thank
DQ Employee for Helping Blind Man". Here is the link
http://umanoapp.com/clip/523c9ad17c61a4bef0d94b92 if you'd like to listen to
it as well - it's only about 2 minutes long. Essentially, the article
praises a store manager for giving a blind guy $20 of his own money after
the guy dropped a $20 bill and the person who found it would not return it.
I have very mixed feelings about this article and I'd like to hear what you
all think. On one hand the store manager did a good deed that should be
appreciated - he gave out of his own pocket to help someone. But that's
where my good feelings about this situation end. Here are my problems with
the situation. First, would this guy have given his own money to anyone else
who dropped their money 'and' would he have gotten the same notoriety and
praise for doing so? Why is the fact that he gave to a blind guy so
noteworthy? Because the general public still sees blindness as something to
pity. That's all I will say about it for now, because I'd like to hear what
you guys have to say. Do you agree with me or do you have a differing
opinion to offer? I'm eager to see what conversation follows. 

Melanie

--

Melanie Peskoe

Affordable Avon products with direct national shipping!

www.beautywithmel.com 

Vehicle Donations Take the Blind Further 

Donate your car to benefit the National Federation of the Blind today!

For more information, please visit: http://
<http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org/> www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call
1-855-659-9314

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