[nfbwatlk] question about wearing sunglasses

[Mike Freeman]

Patti Chang, President of the NFB of IL has them.

Mike Freeman
sent from my iPhone

On Feb 11, 2013, at 12:57, Stephanie Koetje <skoetje at nwcenter.org> wrote:

> I need to find that t-shirt! Love it!
> Stephanie
> 
> 
> Stephanie Koetje | Administrative Support and Volunteer Coordinator
> Northwest Center Foundation - People of All Abilities
> 7272 W Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108
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> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mjc59 at q.com [mailto:mjc59 at q.com] 
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 12:02 PM
> To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] question about wearing sunglasses
> 
> I have some movement in my eyes, so even though i can see people I don't make eye contact. For me, I would feel like wearing sunglasses would be hiding behind something and also catering to sighted people's stereotypes about blindness; that my eyes are somehow ugly and must not be seen by others. I believe that the way I carry myself and speak to others conveys who I am. Sighted people who are that hung up about eye contact will always find something to be uncomfortable about being around a blind person. I bought a T-shirt at state convention that sums in up, at least for me. It has the eye chart numbers in 2 columns on either side, and the words in the middle say (in smaller and smaller print as you look farther down) "I am who I am. Your approval is not needed"
> 
> When a sighted person does bring up the issue of eye contact I am not rude. I just say something like "Yes, my eyes do look different." I might tell them that I know someone is nearby because I can hear them moving or their breathing. Then I move the conversation to another subject. 
> 
> Well, that's my perspective on the matter. You are a beautiful person, Lauren and as Dr. Jernigan always said; It is respectable to be blind. I hope we get to see each other again sometime.
> 
> Marci
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kaye Kipp" <kkipp123 at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 6:19:28 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] question about wearing sunglasses
> 
> Well, I have the same issue with my eyes.  They're usually half closed, but I don't want to wear sunglasses.
> 
> Kaye
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lauren Merryfield" <lauren1 at catliness.com>
> To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "NFB of California List" <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 2:39 AM
> Subject: [nfbwatlk] question about wearing sunglasses
> 
> 
>> Hi,
>> I know this may seem odd, but it would be interesting, and possibly 
>> helpful, to get some feedback about the pros and cons of blind people 
>> wearing sunglasses.  I know that a long time ago, Dr. Jernigan wrote a 
>> piece about it but I haven't been able to locate it.
>> 
>> In my case, my original eyes were very weird--the right one was enlarged 
>> and purplish in color.  My left one was small and sunken in.  Kids used to 
>> comment on them or ask me about them.  As an adult, I wore sunglasses.
>> 
>> I eventually had both of my eyes removed due to very painful glaucoma.  So 
>> then I had pretty, blue eyes.  I had the unusual opportunity of choosing 
>> my eye color.  So I figured that meant I didn't need to wear sunglasses 
>> anymore.  I also felt kind of like I was hiding behind the sunglasses.
>> 
>> But most of the time, my eyes are half-opened or half-closed, whichever 
>> way one wants to think about it--like the glass being half full or half 
>> empty.  Some people assume I am asleep, unapproachable, or withdrawn 
>> because my eyes are not wide opened.
>> 
>> So now I am wondering if I ought to wear sunglasses again.  I could try it 
>> just to see if sighted people respond better to me or not.
>> 
>> I know I do not have good eye contact and that seems to bother some 
>> sighted people.
>> 
>> Well, there's some food for thought.  Yeah, I know, I always get back to 
>> the subject of food, hahaha.
>> Thanks
>> Lauren
>> 
>> advice from my cats: "meow when you feel like it."
>> The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be
>> understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.
>> -- Ralph Nichols
>> Visit us at catliness.com
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