[stylist] sharing

Fri Aug 14 00:01:13 UTC 2015

Bridgit, you are so right.
there is an enormous disconnect between a sighted person and a person with 
any serious level of sight loss and what I see is that so many blind people 
think they have to be exceptional and perfect in every way - which is not 
possible, and it is very sad to see this.  We do not have to apologize for 
mistakes, blunders, typos, spills, falls, or anything else that normal 
people do all the time - but blind people seem to think they need to look 
and be invincible and it is quite off-putting and only makes the divide 
wider and deeper.  I am for being "real" and for being a flawed human being 
as are all people. The only pedestals in my house are for sculptures, not 
people. It is ok to be real.  Lynda

-----Original Message----- 
From: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via stylist
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 4:36 PM
To: 'Writers' Division Mailing List'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [stylist] sharing

While I would prefer to have my sight, I never really struggled with much
depression over losing it. But I completely understand these feelings and
the difficulty of adjusting and transitioning from being sighted to blind.
When I first started losing sight, and to this day, what I struggle with the
most is how others view me. How isolating disability can be because of the
ignorance of the world. I hate being perceived a certain way. And no matter
what I do, what I accomplish, how I go about life, too many people still
perceive me in a negative way, refusing to look beyond the white cane. I
often feel stifled and suffocated by the attitudes and perceptions so many
people think and feel about me and blindness. I trudge through the muck and
mire, trying to set an example, but it's exhausting and daunting at times.
Blindness itself does not so much bother me, but all the stereotypes and
attitudes do. This has always been more the struggle for me.

I find solace and calm in the distractions that sooth me like relaxing days,
and my son and husband. These things are my sanctuary and saving grace.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William L
Houts via stylist
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 11:26 AM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Cc: William L Houts <lukaeon at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [stylist] sharing

HI Barbara,

I live for these sounds, too, and for environmental sounds in general.
family members frequently give me a kind of spooky acknowledgment for all of
this, as if my blindness has resulted in wondrous enchanted powers.  I'm
always saying, no, what's happened is that I've learned to pay greater
attention to what I'm hearing than most people usually do.
For instance, when I first went blind, I was thrilled to be introduced to
talking books.  But I found it hard to listen to them without falling
asleep; my attention nspan, trained for many years to be centered on my
eyes, simply got exhausted.  Nowadays, some 16 years on, I can happily
listen for hours without breaking a sweat or, what's worse, yawning and
dozing off.

When I first lost my vision, I had a therapist whose job it was to guide me
through my considerable anger at my situation.  He told me, Bill you will
come to accept this.  No, I retorted, I will come to be resigned to it.  No,
he said, unshakeable, I'm telling you, it's going to be all right with you.
Well, he was right.  I write, read, eat, enjoy cool breezes on our front
porch.  I'm happy, most days.  Who knew?  LOL

--Bill

On 8/13/2015 4:53 AM, Barbara HAMMEL via stylist wrote:
> I love thunderstorms, too. Especially the kind of thunder that just keeps
rolling and rolling. The wind, on the other hand, worries my soul. I love
the sound of falling rain. I like to hear sleet, too.
> Barbara
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Aug 12, 2015, at 22:35, EvaMarie Sanchez via stylist
<stylist at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> So there are only 4 of us who have chimed in so far, but it is
>> interesting to see that we are all inspired by the weather.
>> Especially strong weather it seems. We are so cool.
>> The toddler thing kind of cracks me up Bill. I could picture it. The
>> little tyke saying something and you running to make a mental note.
>> haha Eve
>>
>> President, National Federation of the Blind Northern Arizona
>> President, National Federation of the Blind Writers' Division
>> Committee Chair, Arizona Association of Guide Dog Users Affiliate
>> Member, National Federation of the Blind Legislative Committee
>> Affiliate Member, National Federation of the Blind Membership
>> Committee Member, Slate & Style Editing Team
>>
>> "You do not need to have vision to see the stars."
>>
>> On Wed, Aug 12, 2015 at 7:33 PM, Semirhage via stylist
>> <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Thunder storms rock. Especially when you're all cozy and inside.
>>> Here in OR we don't really get the thunder part very often. Rarely
>>> if ever did we in Southern CA, but when we were stuck in TX for 2
>>> years I remember thinking the huge claps of thunder would terrify
>>> our bird because like me he got wigged out by the earth quakes. But
>>> he was chillin' with the thunder. Didn't flinch or complain a bit. Very
cool.
>>> Sem
>>> I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
>>> I get along with the voices inside of my head.
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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> _______________________________________________
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-- 

"Oh, Sophie!  Whyfore have you eated all de cheeldren?"

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