[NFBMT] When You Are A Blind Patient

[Jim Marks]

Thanks for posting such an interesting topic!  The disability rights
movement can be characterized as a struggle to get free of the medical
model.  The medical model consists of the professional always being in
power, and the patients always being the objects of good works.  The
disability rights movement aims to strike a new balance in which people with
disabilities are in control of their own lives and the services we consume.
Mostly, it's about asserting self-determination, the lack of which is almost
always the central issue in any human struggle.  Ultimately, the NFB is a
civil rights organization advocating that blindness is ordinary and
respectable and that blind people can and should be able to live the lives
we want.  It's more than a little disturbing that our collective quest for
self-determination has always been the point over the entirety of history.
Some destructive prejudices just won't die.  At the same time, I'm happy to
be part of a movement that promises a better life for each of us, inclusive
of the blind and the sighted and people with and without disabilities.
What's good for the blind is good for everyone.


Jim Marks
Blind.grizzly at gmail.com
(406) 438-1421

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Joy Breslauer via NFBMT
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 6:03 AM
To: nfbmt <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: breslauerj at gmail.com
Subject: [NFBMT] When You Are A Blind Patient

Another comment.  Joy 

 

A friend of mine in the Federation recently became incapacitated due to a
diabetic coma.  He resided in Florida, but because of his illness, his
daughter took over his care, his finances, everything.  He now resides in
Illinois, much against his will, and wants to come back to Florida.  I was
glad I was there during his hospitalization and partial rehab stay here so
that I could explain to the nurses and doctors how to deal with him.  He is
doing much better now, by the way.

 

Also, another thing I would like to bring up is having a medical surrogate.
He did not have one, so his daughter, who he had not seen in his 5-1/2 year
stay in Florida, being his next of kin, took that responsibility.  It is
important to name a medical surrogate of your choice ahead of time so that
if you do become too ill to carry out your own wishes, that person is aware
of your needs and wishes and can make sure they are followed through.

 

Joy Breslauer, President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/> 

 

Live the life you want

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

 

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