[stylist] Definition of blindness

[Donna Hill]

Well said.
Donna 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Henrietta
Brewer
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 10:46 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Definition of blindness

Think of this, there is nothing about who we are that says blind. Our eyes
are like a window. The only problem we have is someone pulled the shades
down. The window is open and we can hear everything outside but the shades
being closed we have to create the pictures ourselves.

Now, blind, that is the person who isn't willing to create the pictures. The
sighted  person, or blind for that matter, who allows the window to be
closed too. They are missing all that is outside of them.
Henrietta
On Feb 18, 2013, at 9:52 PM, Donna Hill wrote:

> Bridgit,
> You hit on the reason we have the terms. It has to do with "services" 
> and is perpetuated by the professionals -- not that we don't 
> perpetuate it ourselves. Braille isn't for low vision students. It's 
> better for them to strain their eyes, get headaches, have no life and 
> fall behind -- at least they aren't blind. I agree with you that we're 
> all in this together, but I also think that the labels we've been 
> given by doctors, teachers and rehab counsellors impact our lives, 
> many times in ways that are similar to what has happened to others
carrying around the same labels.
> Donna
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit 
> Pollpeter
> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 2:51 PM
> To: stylist at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [stylist] Definition of blindness
> 
> But we don't need to be defined or boxed in to choose tools and methods.
> Labels like this tend to create, and perpetuate, a hierarchy of blindness.
> If blind, whatever the level, you are aware of the situation and what 
> you need to do. To label you type of vision loss just places an 
> unnecessary distinction in my book. What does a formal definition or 
> label do in terms of tools and methods? In most situations, these 
> labels are what box us in such as low vision students being denied Braille
education or cane travel.
> It says visually impaired seniors don't need alternative skills 
> training. It denies services and alternative skills training to a lot 
> of people because of this label. You have low vision so you can strain 
> to use that vision. You are totally blind so you don't need education 
> because you have little opportunities. I don't want to be known as the 
> blind girl; I just want to be the girl with a talent, with a 
> personality, with an opinion... Labels do nothing to bring equality.
> 
> Bridgit
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2013 23:58:23 -0500
> From: "justin williams" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
> To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Definition of blindness
> Message-ID: <008901ce0ccb$6a3d9c00$3eb8d400$@gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Yeah it actually might.  You should want to know as much about 
> yourself as possible.  When experts can't give you an answer that's 
> kind of pathetic. It is good she knows how much she can use what 
> limited sight she has.  Use every tool in the tool box, but always use the
best tool for the job.
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/penatwork%40epix.
> net
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/gary.brewer%40com
> cast.net


_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/penatwork%40epix.net