[stylist] article from Debra Kendrick

Tue Jan 26 20:02:38 UTC 2010

But then, when you're in the position that he is and you decide to learn 
some blindness skills, what do you think those around you would say?  "Gee, 
you made it this long without them, why are you going to waste your time 
now?" etc.  To the public, he would even look weaker than he is now if he 
took up a long white cane and a Braille class.  I guess he's damned if he 
does and damned if he doesn't.
But you are right that he is a grown man.  When he does begin to learn these 
skills--if he does--he will be so sad that he didn't take the time when he 
was younger.  And if he never decides to make the decision to learn, I hope 
that he will see how the skills can greatly enhance other blind persons' 
lives.  Don't say that because you don't need it, no one else does.
I can't imagine how it must be to purposefully stay illiterate, though. 
This tactile learner would have missed out on so much--I hate listening to 
things.  A pleasure book is fine but I'm wishing I were a young person today 
getting ready for college.  I may have gotten better grades if I'd had 
Braille there, too.
Barbara
A Congress that will always do its work in the dark must have something to 
hide.  The people have spoken, yet they do not listen.

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Judith Bron" <jbron at optonline.net>
Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 1:38 PM
To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] article from Debra Kendrick

> I agree that if this is how he was raised, it might be hard to change. 
> However, he's now an adult and well aware that people who are handicapped 
> live their lives using techniques that aren't needed by the mainstream 
> world.  He spoke at a convention.  That's not a prescription for a person 
> who understands the people he's talking to.  He knows that blind folks use 
> a white cane.  He knows that the blind read braille.  He knows that the 
> NYS Commission buys adaptive equipment for the blind.  All of us have to 
> grow up at some point and face who we are.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
> To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 2:11 PM
> Subject: Re: [stylist] article from Debra Kendrick
>
>
>> Judith,
>> I think you're being a bit harsh here on the first blind governor willing 
>> to speak at an NFB state affiliate convention. Read his comments in the 
>> NY Times article "Listening to Braille" or, if that's too long, read them 
>> quoted in my article "Braille Literacy Crisis: Fact or Fiction."
>> http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/2009_in_review_progress_for_the_blind
>>
>>
>> People who spend their childhoods being given the message that it isn't 
>> OK to be blind have a tough row to hoe.
>> Donna Hill
>>
>> Judith Bron wrote:
>>> Patterson doesn't need newsline.  He has a radio, television and people 
>>> in his office who access websites whenever he wants.  He's the governor 
>>> of a state, but he has no idea on how to be an independent person.  He's 
>>> not a blind man, he's a man who has been coddled all his life and has 
>>> had gophers get him whatever he wants, whenever he wants it.  He 
>>> probably can't figure out why blind folks need different equipment, need 
>>> instruction on simple life tasks or need to read these dots called 
>>> braille.  He never had to.  But then again, most of us don't live in a 
>>> privilaged world where gophers do everything for us on command.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: <LoriStay at aol.com>
>>> To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 26, 2010 10:19 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [stylist] article from Debra Kendrick
>>>
>>>
>>> I forwarded the article to Carl Jacobsen, president of the New York
>>> Affiliate.   To the best of my knowledge, Gov. Paterson does use 
>>> Newsline, but I
>>> could be wrong.   In any case, unless the Commission comes through with
>>> funding, we will lose Newsline as of January 31.   The governor has 
>>> instructed the
>>> Commission for the Blind to distribute the funds.   Let's hope they do 
>>> it.
>>> Lori
>>> In a message dated 1/24/10 1:27:12 PM, jbron at optonline.net writes:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Great article! There are many who vote for a candidate because of his
>>>> race,
>>>> religion, disability or lack of one. I will label these factors (a).
>>>> What
>>>> does any of this have to do with ability or job performance? Label 
>>>> these
>>>> factors (b). Nothing. In other words, a has nothing to do with b. Many
>>>> of
>>>> the citizens of this country have decided to base their vote on
>>>> differences.
>>>> Ignorant. If, in spite of the fact that people have been put down 
>>>> because
>>>> of their race, religion or disability shines through and gotten them to 
>>>> a
>>>> point that they have the ability and can perform above the opposition,
>>>> they
>>>> become someone to be celebrated. If they choose to hide behind any of
>>>> these
>>>> factors and use them as the sole criteria for anyone to vote for them,
>>>> they
>>>> are no better than the bigots who shaped public policy for centuries.
>>>> Judith Bron
>>>>
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