[rehab] Blindness mannerisms:

Fri Sep 29 18:02:54 UTC 2017

This is so true, particularly as we are a minority group.  All minority 
groups are guilty of these same things.  Why did the National Federation 
abandon their old slogan, which read:  security, equality, opportunity?  I 
think that was a more apt one than that which exists now.  We certainly 
haven't abandoned those aspirations for us all.  For with them, we will 
unavoidably live the life we choose.  Another objection I have concerning 
the new motto is:  It sounds less literate than the first.  To me, it sounds 
more like an unfinished sentence.  Than it does a motto.  Whereas the first 
motto sounds just like a string of words, bound together by  a common theme.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dick Davis via rehab" <rehab at nfbnet.org>
To: "Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List" <rehab at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Dick Davis" <ddavis at blindinc.org>
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2017 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: [rehab] Blindness mannerisms:


> Angel,
> I think these are important points.  There is a natural human tendency to
> want to feel superior to other people.  Blind people are not exempt from
> this.  Let's all reach out to those who are less well informed and help
> them live the lives they want.  That way we can all be angels (grin).
> Dick Davis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rehab [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Angel238 via
> rehab
> Sent: Friday, September 29, 2017 10:09 AM
> To: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List
> Cc: Angel238
> Subject: [rehab] Blindness mannerisms:
>
> I don't know whether my post was sent to an individual.  Or whether it was
> sent to the list.  So, I am sending it to the list.  I apologize, if it
> was sent twice.  The post follows.
> Blind people can be the hardest, and the meanest toward each other.  When
> it ought to be the other way around.  They ought to be the first to
> understand the blind child or young adult.  Who may have been sheltered
> their whole lives.  Not truly understanding how to properly socialize.  I
> well remember, in the mid 60's.  I was introduced to the adult
> rehabilitation process.  The first time I and my totally blind
> rehabilitation councilor met.  I had to fill out a form.  Stating all the
> skills I could perform, and how well I was able to perform them.  They
> were skills I never was taught.  Because, I was one of those sheltered
> blind children.  He said, nearly after each question I answered no to :
> "My wife can do that perfectly well."  Now, his wife was also totally
> blind.  Perhaps, his intent was to spur me to a level of higher
> achievement.  Telling me, his wife was totally blind, and implying that,
> if she could accomplish laundering, cooking,  and sewing, and such, so
> should I be able to do such things equally as well.  But, what he did
> succeed in accomplishing was quite the opposite.  I left him with tears in
> my eyes.  I told my mother this, and she was quick to remind me, his wife
> was some 20 or so years older than was I, and was married, with children,
> and with experience.  Which is why, we always should be sure those blind
> people for whom blindness is an entirely new experience. Or those blind
> children, who lived sheltered lives. through no fault of their own.
> Receive a proper prospective.  As it relates to their circumstances.  Just
> because others who are totally blind accomplish things, or possess skills
> which a child or a newly blinded adult isn't capable, doesn't mean he is a
> failure, and will never learn.  Of course, this goes without saying, when
> we talk among ourselves.  But, we forget, sometimes, the sheltered young
> adult, or newly blinded person doesn't know blind people who succeed
> aren't somehow super people.  Whose achievements aren't beyond themselves
> to accomplish.  After all, isn't the stereotype of the challenged person,
> that he does marvelous things.  When he accomplishes even the simplest
> things?  So, from the beginning of a blind persons journey he feels
> incompetent.  Because his expectations of what he might be able to do are
> so low.  So when he meets successful blind people, and when he compares
> his achievements to theirs, how inadequate he must feel.  Then, some blind
> writer comes along and tells him, he is looked upon by sighted people as
> being somehow weird.  Because he rocks, or claps, or can't cook.  What
> must do to his motivation to even try.
> Each blind person needs to be encouraged as much as is possible.  Never
> causing him to think he is weird, or less than ordinary.  Regardless the
> mannerisms he might exhibit.  I think those who take exception to seeing
> blindness mannerisms are exhibiting a hatred of themselves.  Perhaps due
> to their blindness.  They are the ones who need to examine themselves.
> Rather than criticizing those.  Who may not be as far along on their
> journey to be all they are capable of  being.
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