[blindlaw] some questions

[Hyde, David W. (ESC)]

I agree with the others who have responded. On a purely cultural level, blindness is viewed differently in his culture than it is in ours. Further, if his family comes from an Islamic background, and still holds to some of the tenants of the Koran and the Sharia, blindness is a condition to be pitied, and blind people are those who are specifically identified as recipients of charity. If these beliefs are deeply ingrained, there may be no hope of changing them. You might try, if this be the case, talking some someone at a local mosque. If they have a person whose opinion they value, and that person agrees with you, get him, or her, to intercede.

Blindness in their country is almost always, an unmitigated tragedy. There are very few opportunities. Attitudes change very slowly. You may, ultimately, have to wed without their buy in. But try everything else first. If you don't, you will wish you had. If you do everything you can, then you can believe that you did your best. The parents may, eventually come around.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Beth
Sent: Friday, August 05, 2011 8:36 AM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindlaw] some questions

Hi, guys.
	I have some questions about a cultural conflict going on with some people who are trying to prevent me and my current boyfriend from marrying.  They state that because we are both totally blind, we would 1. Not make good parents or are not fit to be parents.
2. Would be unable to perform everyday tasks when indeed we've both graduated from the Colorado Center for the Blind x number of months ago.
3. That my boyfriend would be bored and lonely.  These men are Somali, so they state he should also marry his own kind, surely a sign of discrimination.  They are not willing to change.  How should we deal with them?  Thanks.
Beth

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