[nfbwatlk] FW: [List] some not so very good news

[Lauren Merryfield]

Hi,
I know some blind people say the Dining in the Dark events are positive and 
a way for us to make some positive points but I still feel very 
uncomfortable about it.  They seem to be doing those events all over the 
place.  I don't even like the name "dining in the dark" because it assumes 
that all blind people are in the dark, which can be taken literally or 
figuratively and is negative either way.

Stay on top of them!
Thanks
Lauren
"Can you think of times when an encouraging word or act helped shape your 
life? Someone loved you, spoke kindly to you, gave you a chance or put an 
arm around your shoulder and it changed you.  Their encouragement became the 
cure for your grief, your discouragement or your loneliness.  You can be 
that encourager for others in need." --Bob Patterson
visit us at catlines.com and lettingthecatoutofthebag.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 9:13 PM
Subject: [nfbwatlk] FW: [List] some not so very good news


>
>
>
>
> From: list-bounces at cfb.ca [mailto:list-bounces at cfb.ca] On Behalf Of
> list at cfb.ca
> Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 8:56 PM
> To: list at cfb.ca
> Subject: [List] some not so very good news
>
>
>
> Dining in the Dark is holding an event in Kelowna at the end of May.
>
>
>
> People will pay $150 to eat a meal blindfolded.  The organizers say
> something about eating without seeing adding a great deal to the gustatory
> experience.  Balderdash!  For $150, I hope it's a really good meal!  Guess
> who's raising money from this event.  Yes, you're right.
>
>
>
> It's really unfortunate that this event is being paired with blindness
> because of CNIB fund-raising.  The public will connect their freaky 
> one-time
> experience with a mistaken notion of what our lives are like on a daily
> basis.  No doubt the event will take place and a lot of negative
> generalizations will be reinforced.  I'm drafting letters to the local 
> media
> and hope to be able to write something that will at least mitigate 
> somewhat
> the harm this event will do.  I'll let you know if anything I write is
> published.
>
>
>
> We are making progress, but we're fighting some very entrenched attitudes
> and people who do not hesitate to use those attitudes for their own ends.
> We're in this for the long haul.  Everything we do helps, so we just keep 
> on
> speaking out.
>
>
>
> Mary Ellen
>
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


> _______________________________________________
> nfbwatlk mailing list
> nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nfbwatlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/lauren1%40catliness.com
>