[nfbwatlk] why we need to be there

[Jedi]

Lauren,

You're absolutely right. Blindness itself certainly isn't ambiguous. 
And yes, it's got more to do with people's attitudes regarding 
blindness and blind people. The question I'm really asking is why their 
seems to be an ambiguity regarding blindness? why is it that we, 
according to common misconceptions, exemplify contradictory 
characteristics? Does that make any sense? A good reference point might 
be Jernigan's "Is Literature Against Us?" This speech (which my 
students read) offers a run-down of the ambiguity I'm speaking of. 
Cheers and thanks.


Original message:
> Hi,
> I don't think blindness, itself, is ambiguous.  I think it's peoples'
> attitudes about blindness that can sometimes be ambiguous.
> Thanks
> Lauren
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jedi" <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
> To: <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, April 05, 2009 5:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] why we need to be there


>> Mary Ellen,

>> You're a ton stronger than I am. I don't what I would have said if someone
>> told me I was classified as a visually impaired person who presented well.
>> I was shocked when I read it, and I felt my facial expression sour. Isn't
>> it interesting how juxtiposed people's views of blindness are?

>> I'm teaching a class this quarter called "straight talk about Blindness."
>> One of the assignments I've set my students is a homework set, or a set of
>> three thought-provokers. One of the questions on this assignment is: why
>> is it that blindness is so ambiguous? Why is it that we're both amazing
>> yet helpless, intelligent yet ignorant, and virtuous yet sinful all in the
>> same person and moment in time? Realistically speaking, a person can
>> logically be all of these traits at once, but surely not as a direct
>> result of being blind. What do all of you think? Why is blindness so
>> ambiguous to the point where we call to mind such opposite traits all at
>> once just because we can't see? If it's okay with all of you, i'd like to
>> collect your responses and share them with my class. Of course, no names
>> will be mentioned or tied to your responses.


>> Original message:


>>> It's election time in British Columbia; the barbecues and the rhetoric
>>> are
>>> sizzling. There's not much of a contest in our legislative district.
>>> Kelowna
>>> is a one party town. Candidates from the other parties keep the majority
>>> party in check by raising issues, but the person who wins the BC Liberal
>>> Party nomination is pretty well assured the seat in the legislature.

>>> I'm pleased with the nominee. He has a record of conscientious service on
>>> the Kelowna City Council and a commitment to issues that matter to me. So
>>> I
>>> was happy to add his campaign kick off barbecue to my list of Saturday
>>> errands.

>>> I arrived during the preliminary speeches and joined the enthusiastic
>>> crowd.
>>> After the program ended, a  friend who is a member of the campaign team
>>> showed me to the volunteer table and introduced me to the woman taking
>>> names
>>> there. "Can you fill out the form, or would you like me to help with it,"
>>> she asked politely. I spelled my name, gave my address and phone number,
>>> and
>>> told her which boxes to check in the list of potential volunteer duties.
>>> When we'd finished, she proudly told me, "I've marked on your form
>>> "visually
>>> impaired, but presents well."

>>> I doubt the woman noticed that my return smile was somewhat rueful. It
>>> was
>>> that word "but." My performance as an aspiring volunteer had just been
>>> graded as "exceeds expectations." But what expectations? That little word
>>> "but" implied that she didn't expect the "visually impaired" to "present
>>> well."

>>> Yet it was clear to me that she had intended a compliment. I chose to
>>> take
>>> it in that spirit. Her mother had become blind during the last twenty
>>> years
>>> of life. "I'm blind," I replied. "I don't really believe in euphemisms."
>>> That put her more at ease.

>>> Having been assured that the volunteer coordinator would call me to
>>> schedule
>>> a time for me to begin, I walked off toward the food tables. Another
>>> campaign volunteer offered to help me through the line.

>>> Our local Federal member of parliament walked up to us and greeted me by
>>> name. (I'd volunteered for his campaign three years ago.) "How's Paul?
>>> How
>>> are the children? Oh, by the way, I'm now on the parliamentary committee
>>> which deals with disability issues and poverty. Here's my new business
>>> card." He grinned while I read the Braille card, obviously pleased with
>>> himself.

>>> "Impressive! When you have the time," I responded, " I'd like to talk to
>>> you
>>> about the work your committee is doing. I'll send you a paper written by
>>> the
>>> Canadian Federation of the Blind concerning employment and
>>> rehabilitation."

>>> "I'd appreciate that," he said, and moved on to talk to the next
>>> supporter.

>>> I think my new campaign volunteer friend was somewhat surprised. "Let me
>>> introduce you to Norm, the provincial candidate. "Norm," she said, "this
>>> is
>>> Mary Ellen."

>>> "Oh, yes, Mary Ellen, how are you? I've met you several times at the
>>> French
>>> school."

>>> "This isn't the time," I told him, "but I'd like to set aside five or ten
>>> minutes to talk with you about issues that are important to me."

>>> "Sure," he answered. "I'll be meeting with people throughout the
>>> campaign,
>>> and after the campaign is over. Just call and set up an appointment."

>>> "I'll be volunteering," I replied, " so I'll do it then. Unless apathy
>>> sets
>>> in, I'm sure you're heading for Victoria. Good luck."

>>> My volunteer friend chatted as we approached the tables laden with
>>> burgers
>>> and smokies. "I used to work at a home for the aged. We learned so much
>>> about people with disabilities. I remember one day they blindfolded us
>>> and
>>> we walked with someone the way I'm walking with you now. I remember how
>>> vulnerable I felt."

>>> "I'm glad you're so interested in learning," I told her. "The way you
>>> felt
>>> is probably how someone who is newly blind or has had no training feels,
>>> but
>>> it's a bit inaccurate. I don't feel the least bit vulnerable."

>>> Thinking back on the hour I spent at the rally and barbecue, I'm struck
>>> by
>>> contrasts. On one hand, we're "visually impaired but present well." At
>>> the
>>> same time, elected officials want our opinions on matters which affect
>>> us.
>>> Ignorance and opportunity are all around us. Responding to the ignorance
>>> can
>>> be a teeth gritting exercise in diplomacy. Seizing the opportunity must
>>> be
>>> our continual mission. When it comes to politics, as in so many other
>>> circumstances, we really need to keep being there.

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>> --
>> REspectfully,
>> Jedi

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-- 
REspectfully,
Jedi

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www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.