[stylist] To ponder- exercise and representing blindness

Tue Feb 12 14:34:42 UTC 2013

Donna, this was so funny (as in fun) to me, because I am the direct opposite 
of what you described.  At the rehab program, one day, we had to describe 
ourselves to the rest of the group.  When it was my turn I described myself 
something like this:

You can find me easily, just look for the gypsy. I 'll be wearing a long 
colorful skirt, with a bright top that picks up one of the brilliant colors 
in the skirt. You'll know for sure it is I when you also notice that I am 
adorned with bracelets up both arms, and necklaces around my neck. Layers of 
adornment!  And, you would never find me without earrings - they go into my 
ears as soon as I get up in the morning, and don't come off until it is 
pajama time at night.  My shoes will be Birkenstock sandals most likely. I 
buy them in Germany in the summertime, and I have them in many colors to 
match my clothing.
and, even if you cannot see all this, you will recognize me well before you 
get near me as I am never without exotic perfume. I collect it like a person 
might collect pairs of earrings; there is never a time when I am without 
perfume. Never! "

All my pairs of sunglasses, shades, are in dynamic colors. Not only do they 
serve the purpose of shielding my sensitive eyes from light, they are also a 
part of my fashion sense.  When I got my last pair at the eye doctors, the 
man was helping me with selections.  I told him "for me, it has to be 
different. I don't want anything like anyone else you know."  When he said 
the word "fuschia" I said "yes."

My new pairs of "skinny jeans" arrived last week. One pair is purple, the 
other emerald green. Emerald green is the "official color of the year for 
2013."  Guess what I am shopping for this week? More Emerald Green things 
for my trip to Puerto Rico next month.  lol

OH, yes, losing sight has not in any way changed my way of dressing.

Lynda

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 9:55 PM
Subject: Re: [stylist] To ponder- exercise and representing blindness

> Bridgit,
> I think that one reason we get this business about representing blind 
> people
> is because of how very few of us there really are. Lynda pointed out that
> she's the only blind person most of the people in her life have ever 
> known.
> I think that's true for many of us. I don't like having that 
> responsibility
> thrust upon my shoulders either. It makes me feel like I must be from
> another planet.
>
> I think, though, that whether we see ourselves in that role or not, we are
> representing blindness to an ignorant and pathetic world. We can't get 
> away
> from it; it's just the way things are. Nevertheless, your attitude is the
> right one. Just do whatever you want to do for you.
>
> For me, one of the things that gauls me -- and it falls under the heading 
> of
> the mantel of responsibility of representing ourselves to the sighted 
> world
> -- is the dress code thing. I would be embarrassed to come to a national 
> NFB
> convention without a serious shopping trip. I'm not into fashion; unlike
> you, I don't like or want to wear make-up. I'm usually in jeans  with
> flannel shirts for the cold weather and short-sleeved cotton shirts in the
> summer. If I have to go somewhere special -- and we don't seek out places
> where people dress up, because they also wear perfume which we're allergic
> too -- then I do have a few "nice" things in my closet. I don't feel all
> that comfortable in them though.
> Donna
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
> Pollpeter
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 7:36 AM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [stylist] To ponder- exercise and representing blindness
>
> This makes me recall an interesting situation.
>
> A few years ago I spoke at the Nebraska Medical Center to a group of 
> medical
> staff working with diabetics including doctors. I have been a type 1
> diabetic since I was four, and I have had to manage my diabetes both as a
> sighted person and blind person, so I was addressing the topic from both
> perspectives.
>
> Now, exercise and physical activity have always been important to me.
> Since childhood, I've been a very active person. I don't exactly look out 
> of
> shape, and to go along with this, my diabetes is well managed.
> After I lost my sight, I didn't lose a beat when it came to exercising.
>
> One doctor asked how I adjusted to not being able to work-out since being
> blind. He had participated in a study that, one, demonstrated the 
> advantages
> exercise had on diabetics who worked-out and those who did not, and two,
> displayed that diabetics with visual impairments were in the group of
> non-active people because blindness rendered them unable, or at least made
> it difficult, to be active.
>
> It was one of those moments where I was like, "You're a doctor, right?"
> in my head. I told him that I never stopped working-out or being active, 
> and
> I know several other blind people, diabetic and otherwise, who are very
> active.
>
> He then amended his response by stating that he meant visually impaired
> people won't be able to navigate a gym or do much out-doors. To which I
> replied that first of all, a gym is not necessary to have access too for
> exercising purposes, nor do you need to work-out out-of-doors, but having
> said all that, that plenty of blind people, myself included, go to the gym
> and find activities to enjoy out in nature. My husband and I use a walking
> trail near our house almost every day during nice weather, and we aint 
> taken
> leisurely strolls down it, grin.
>
> It's just funny how silly people can get about these things. And I like 
> what
> you say about not representing a whole group of people. I am just me, and 
> I
> just want to live my life not always feeling like I have to represent an
> entire group of people. Some will say that as an independent, capable 
> blind
> person, it's our job, whether we want it or not, to be an example, to
> represent the entire blind population, but this is a heavy mantle to wear.
> It's like asking any other person of a minority to be more than an
> individual; to become the embodiment of a whole group. The thing is, no
> single person is alike. I mean, I get this will happen regardless, people
> will assign roles to us no matter what, and yes, someone needs to voice
> progressive, positive examples for various groups, but damn, we have to 
> live
> our lives and just be human. I want to be a mommy because I love, love, 
> love
> my kids, not because I need to demonstrate that blind people can be 
> parents.
> I want to pursue higher education because I love to learn, and I want to
> further my knowledge, not because I have to display that blind people are
> just as capable. I want to be out in my community enjoying events and
> activities like the theatre, concerts, sports, shopping, playgrounds,
> because I have a sincere enjoyment of such activities and not because as a
> blind person I must force myself to attend community events so society can
> see that blind people are normal. It's just exhausting, and I have a life 
> to
> live beyond this single element of my being.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter, editor, Slate & Style Read my blog at:
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy,
> we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world."
> C. S. Lewis
>
> Message: 13
> Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:58:47 -0500
> From: "Lynda Lambert" <llambert at zoominternet.net>
> To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [stylist] To ponder- to take to another level
> Message-ID: <9778408A73F7477DABF1B81E8CB84C96 at Lambert>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> this whole thing is very interesting.
> I know for most of the people I am around, I am the only blind person they
> have ever encountered. I really don't feel like I need to "represent"
> anyone, nor do I want to. I am still the same "self" that I have always
> been, and I think that is hard to grasp because I am sure they all look at
> this change as being devestating. They seem surprised when I do normal
> things.
>
> When my husband and I did the one mile "walk to break the silence" for
> ovarian cancer last fall, we walked behind my sister and my 
> daughter-in-law
> who were engaged in cheery conversation together.  When we reached the end
> of the course, they turned around and saw us behind them - and expressed
>
> amazement that we were "there"   as if I was not capable of walking
> along on
> the course. I am very "fit" and workout at the gym nearly every day, as I
> have done most of my life - so why should that be any different now, to 
> the
> point where anyone would think it surprising I would be walking as any 
> other
> normal person walks. Frankly, things like this really scald me, and
> particularly when it is my family members, as they know very well that I
>
> walk several miles a day on my cardio days, and work out at the gym for 
> over
> an hour on other days. But, there in public with tons of people around us,
> they show surprise that I can walk at all.  I am laughing as I write 
> this -
> it is so silly.
>
>
> Lynda
>
>
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