[Nfbmo] How to deal with well-intentioned sighted folks?

Sun Aug 2 00:30:12 UTC 2015

Hello Erin:

There is an old saying that goes something like: "When everybody thinks
alike, there's not much thinking going on."

I certainly don't begrudge people their new-found eyesight, hearing, or
ability to walk. You and I and other members of the Federation are not in
denial because we have been exposed to a positive philosophy of blindness.
What ends up happening however is that many people don't put these articles
in the proper context and as a result, they end up hanging on to the false
promise of a "cure" for themselves or a family member. 

Regards

Daniel

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Erin Joy Magoon
via Nfbmo
Sent: Friday, July 31, 2015 11:43 PM
To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List
Cc: Erin Joy Magoon; Gary Wunder
Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] How to deal with well-intentioned sighted folks?

Hi,

I am probably in the minority here, but that is alright.  I have been
before and I will be again.

I just have to say that I love reading those stories and hearing about
people having surgeries, and other miraculous things happen to them
that helps them get something they did not have before.

Be it vision, hearing, able to walk, lose weight, get a prosthetic
etc.  I don't know why it is such a big deal.  I don't see it as we
can not live as blind people, or live however we are, I just see it as
medical advancement and progress.

If you had cancer you would most likely love to hear stories about new
treatment or a new drug.  The same way with diabetes and other major
health risks.

Even though living with blindness is not a big deal, if they can come
up with ways for people not to be blind I for one embrace it.  Let's
face it, being able to read a print book or having to get our books
read to us by computer generated voices, having to scan in our mail or
have someone read it to us, taking an ID Bar Scanner to the grocery
store or having someone assist us by reading the labels, waiting eons
to get our college textbooks in an accessible format, be it PDF, Doc,
CD, Daisy, etc, or have to figure out some other way to read it, like
your mother, or hiring a reader, are all things that we have to live
with, and do with great grace and a matter-of-factness.  However, some
things would be easier if we could see.  Just like some things would
be easier if you could hear, were thinner, didn't have diabetes,
didn't have medical issues, were younger, I understand the list goes
on and on.

I for one would take a pill, take a shot, undergo certain surgeries if
it gave me my vision back.  Now, yes, I would have to weigh the risks.
Such as will it shorten my life, how expensive is it, will it give me
horrible side effects etc.

I have been told I would also have to give up my guide dog.  Although
I love him, them actually, more than anything in this world, I would
give them up as guides, and let someone else who needs them use them,
if it meant getting back my vision.

I am not living in denial.  I am well aware that I am blind and most
likely always will be, until I go to Heaven anyway, however I could
see some when I was younger, and if I did not admit to you, and
myself, that some areas of my life would be easier if I could see then
I would be not only living in denial, but a liar as well.

On 7/29/15, Gary Wunder via Nfbmo <nfbmo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> So, you and your boys know that they are not broken people. Hallelujah!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rosina Solano
via
> Nfbmo
> Sent: Monday, July 27, 2015 10:23 AM
> To: nfbmo at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Rosina Solano
> Subject: Re: [Nfbmo] How to deal with well-intentioned sighted folks?
>
> Oh my goodness!!  I just have to share.  I am sighted, so fair warning
right
> there, lol.  My family members and friends give me articles and stories
ALL
> THE TIME about this.  Maybe years ago I might have been interested, but
> seriously I am pretty happy with my kids just the way they are.  It is
> extremely aggravating as it makes me feel like my boys could be improved.
> They are pretty darn awesome for who they are, why can't they see that?
> However, I just take the info and say, "How interesting.  I'll read it."
I
> try to think of it from their point.  They really have no idea.  We can
tell
> them and show them examples and it really wont matter.  It's not that they
> don't think blind people can't be independent at all.  It comes from the
> deep inner idea that everyone wants to be perfect or fixed.  Our society
> flaunts it.  Look at adds for weight loss, the newest clothing, and so
much
> more.   While it hurts and is aggravating, I know that they mean well.
They
> just don't equate it.  I suppose if every month I gave them articles on
> weight loss or plastic surgery they might get suspicious, but I still
don't
> think they would get it.  While they might say that it doesn't matter, it
> does TO THEM, so they assume it does to everyone. I love my boys just the
> way they are and I wouldn't change them now if something did come along.
> Personally, I know both the boys feel the same way.  We just kinda do that
> grin that says, "again?" and say thanks.  It wouldn't matter if we said
> something, they would still continue.  I think it makes them feel better.
> Rosina  Rosina Foster  NFBMO - Show Me Chapter MOPOBC - Missouri Parents
of
> Blind Children
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Erin Joy Magoon
Seeing Eye Graduate 2004, Guide Dogs of America Graduate 2013
President of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Springfield Chapter
Corresponding Secretary for the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
E-mail:
erinjoy.magoon at gmail.com
Cell Phone:
417-576-0037

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