[nfb-talk] Dining in the dark Please share the process.

Sun Apr 24 03:17:44 UTC 2011

It would be insightful if you shared the process you learned and any enhancements you've added over the years. I'm trying to put together a ?Life Experiences" for our affiliate. Anyones input on any matter would be helpful. 
Thanks
Steve 

SRBaker

> Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:43:54 -0700
> From: carter.tjoseph at gmail.com
> To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Dining in the dark
> 
> Lisa,
> 
> The first time I tried to eat without vision was at the Colorado 
> Center for the Blind. I'd never done it before, and I couldn't even 
> figure out how to cut my own food at first. My first day at the 
> center was someone's graduation meal, and so it was really quite an 
> experience for me. Someone had to explain how to do the simplest 
> things to me. But once that had been explained, I managed to do it 
> just fine.
> 
> It is no different for a sighted person than it was for me, since up 
> to that point in my life I had learned to live essentially as a 
> sighted person. I managed, and once it was explained to me, the 
> techniques seemed obvious. It took me a little longer to eat than 
> usual because simply knowing how it's done is not the same as 
> actually doing it, but it was not difficult even for a perpetually 
> uncoordinated person like me to master after mere minutes' practice.
> 
> I still use the technique learned under sleepshade when not. It 
> allows me to look at other people over meals rather than my head down 
> looking at my plate. (In fact that's true of most of the skills I 
> learned in Colorado: I use them to do what is necessary so that I can 
> avoid the isolation problem and associated social stigmas most 
> "partially sighted" and "visually impaired" people have dealing with 
> groups of sighties.
> 
> This comes with a trade-off or two, but they're worth it. Most of 
> the things we do aren't really right or wrong. They're just choices, 
> and the choices we make have consequences good and bad. I never try 
> to "pass" for example, but the natural side-effect of alternative 
> techniques used effectively is that people often fail to notice them 
> and assume I can see a lot more than I can, which results in a need 
> to explain how these techniques work (and that I didn't come up with 
> them on my own.)
> 
> Joseph
> 
> 
> On Sat, Apr 23, 2011 at 06:04:13PM -0500, Lisa Kidder wrote:
> >If you have been blind all of your life, it wouldn't be. However, if 
> >someone has just lost their vission it would be as first because they 
> >are not used to being blind Lisa
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "John Heim" <john at johnheim.net
> >To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >Date sent: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:24:25 -0500
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Dining in the dark
> >
> >I really don't think eating without vision is that difficult, Mike
> >
> >It occurs to me that I've been around people dining without vision 
> >for the
> >first time in their lives when I was at the guide dog school. New
> >instructors have to do a few weeks of training while wearing a mask. 
> >The
> >only time they are allowed to take it off is when they are in the 
> >shower. I
> >guess they don't want the masks getting wet. Anyway, I never noticed 
> >these
> >trainers having trouble eating and none of them ever said anything 
> >about it
> >at meal times.
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com
> >To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2011 4:40 PM
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Dining in the dark
> >
> >
> >The eaters would be so preoccupied by trying to get the food into 
> >their
> >mouthes and by how awkward they are that I doubt they'd notice the 
> >blind
> >wait staff much. If they did, they'd attribute the skill to the wait
> >staff's superior senses and miraculous abilities!
> >
> >Mike
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
> >[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> >Behalf Of John Heim
> >Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2011 2:19 PM
> >To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Dining in the dark
> >
> >But since the waiters are blind, wouldn't the diners learn that 
> >people
> >can function without sight?
> >
> >On Apr 22, 2011, at 9:06 PM, T. Joseph Carter wrote:
> >
> >Mike is convinced that these events do not and cannot lead to a
> >greater appreciation of blindness. I've argued on another list that
> >it can be done better, but Mike points out quite rightly that can be
> >done better does not necessarily translate to people actually doing
> >it in such a way that the sighties learn anything useful except
> >perhaps by sheer trial and error.
> >
> >Joseph
> >
> >On Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 07:56:34PM -0600, Jeanette Fortin wrote:
> >there are a few nfb chapters doing the dining in the dark thing as
> >well you know?
> >----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com
> >To: <info at michaelhingson.com>; "'NFB Talk Mailing List'"
> ><nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >
> >Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 7:45 PM
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] observations about Foundation Fighting
> >Blindness
> >
> >
> >Oh my Lord! Is the RP Foundation fighting Blindness involved in
> >that Dining
> >in the Dark nonsense? I fear me greatly there's no hope for them
> >then.
> >
> >Mike Freeman
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-
> >bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> >Behalf Of Michael Hingson
> >Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 6:23 PM
> >To: 'NFB Talk Mailing List'
> >Subject: [nfb-talk] observations about Foundation Fighting Blindness
> >
> >All,
> >
> >First, note the subject line change. I think the issue here is
> >what is
> >"fulfilling"? From the literature I have read from this
> >organization as
> >well as from discussions I have had with staff their idea of a
> >"fulfilling
> >life" does not contain the high expectations I or many of us have.
> >It all
> >goes back to the philosophy of blindness one chooses to have.
> >
> >If, for example, you think that it is amazing that a blind person
> >can cut
> >their food and even find it, but think that because a blind person
> >does eat
> >independently their life is in part fulfilling then your view of
> >the true
> >nature of blindness differs from mine. "Dining In The Dark" is a
> >fundraising event the Foundation has sponsored in various parts of
> >the
> >country. Putting a group of sighted people under blindfold, then
> >serving
> >them food while making statements like "this is what blind people
> >face every
> >day" cannot help improve the public's view of the abilities of
> >blind people.
> >Nevertheless this is the kind of thing the Foundation Fighting
> >Blindness
> >does constantly.
> >
> >As, I think, Mike Freeman said, it is all in what you mean by
> >"fighting".
> >We in the NFB fight blindness every day. The blindness we fight is
> >that of
> >people who let their eye sight get in the way of their vision which
> >has
> >become blinded by prejudice and misinformation. (See Thunder Dog
> >when it is
> >released).
> >
> >The tragedy of blindness is not the loss of eye sight unless we
> >make it so.
> >Any "tragedy" is only as serious as we allow it to be. Those who
> >lose their
> >sight can move forward and have as full and productive a life as
> >before if
> >they are willing to get the proper training. There is nothing new
> >here but,
> >we need to keep saying it if we expect the world to come around and
> >believe
> >that truth. It's marketing pure and simple.
> >
> >Happy Easter.
> >
> >
> >Best,
> >
> >
> >Mike Hingson
> >
> >The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
> >"Speaking with Vision"
> >Michael Hingson, President
> >(415) 827-4084
> >info at michaelhingson.com
> >To learn more about my upcoming book, speaking topics and speaking
> >availability please visit www.michaelhingson.com Thunder Dog is now
> >available for early ordering on Amazon!!!
> >
> >
> >http://www.amazon.com/Thunder-Dog-Blind-Triumph-Ground/dp/1400203
> >04X/ref=sr_
> >1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1289090352&sr=1-3
> >
> >
> >for info on the new KNFB Reader Mobile, visit:
> >http://knfbreader.michaelhingson.com
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-
> >bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> >Behalf Of Mike Freeman
> >Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 2:01 PM
> >To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: {Disarmed} FW: A personal report
> >fromChairmanGordon Gund
> >
> >The choice of the word "fighting". It's not the they're against
> >the blind
> >leading fulfilled lives; they can't conceive of it.
> >
> >Mike Freeman
> >sent from my iPhone
> >
> >
> >On Apr 22, 2011, at 13:10, "John Heim" <john at johnheim.net> wrote:
> >
> >I'm sure the Foundation Fighting Blindness is very much in favor of
> >blind
> >people living rich and fullfilling lives. What makes you think
> >they're not?
> >
> >----- Original Message ----- From: "James Aldrich"
> ><jajkaldrich at gmail.com
> >To: "Jeanette Fortin" <jeanette at fortin-home.com>; "NFB Talk
> >Mailing List"
> ><nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 11:20 AM
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: {Disarmed} FW: A personal report
> >fromChairmanGordon Gund
> >
> >
> >Hello all!
> >
> >I greatly dislike how this organization the foundation fighting
> >blindness
> >reinforces how terrible it is to be blind! Yes! It is no picnic
> >at first
> >when one loses vision I'm certain but we in the NFB are here to
> >show there
> >is life after vision loss or there is life when one is blind! We
> >have a
> >more positive message! Yes! I'm all for preserving one's vision
> >but if
> >this isn't possible, I for one wish to see someone continue to live
> >a full
> >and enriching life as much as possible! There are many who can't
> >cope but
> >there are more who do and they live quite well! At least, they
> >have a life!
> >It is far better to be blind today than it was a hundred years ago
> >but even
> >at that time, I'm certain some lived meaningful lives even then!
> >
> >Jim
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeanette Fortin"
> ><jeanette at fortin-home.com
> >To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 4:03 PM
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] FW: {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from
> >ChairmanGordon Gund
> >
> >
> >well let me say this, why not fight blindness? if there is a way
> >some
> >people can regain their vision or if doctors can help folks to save
> >the
> >vision they have, go for it.
> >i got a call today from my cousin who works with hazzardess
> >materials in
> >his job. he was hit in the face with some costic liquid last week
> >and lost
> >his vision for a couple of days. Because he was rushed to a special
> >hospital and given specific treatment for his eyes which were
> >damaged by the
> >costic liquid, the doctors are hopeful he will regain all or most
> >of his
> >vision.
> >from some folks way of thinking it appears they think it would be
> >just
> >fine for him to have lost his vision and subsequently his job. it
> >gave him
> >a true appreciation of those of us who have dealt with vision loss
> >for years
> >and has made him grateful for whatever vision he has.
> >i think maybe the name of the organization, fighting blindness may
> >offend some folks, but if you understand how someone who had vision
> >and
> >loses it feels maybe you would understand why the foundation is
> >trying to
> >find ways to help folks either regain or not lose their vision,
> >jeanette
> >----- Original Message ----- From: "S Baker" <srbaker12 at hotmail.com
> >
> >To: "ANFBchat" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 3:31 PM
> >Subject: [nfb-talk] FW: {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from
> >Chairman
> >Gordon Gund
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >SRBaker
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >From: srbaker12 at hotmail.com
> >To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >Subject: RE: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from
> >Chairman
> >Gordon Gund
> >Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:29:26 +0000
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >This email solicits donations. It also has links to current
> >research to
> >correct blindness.There is nothing wrong with being blind, if that
> >is what
> >you want. If there is technology that can reverse,cure me, I am all
> >for it.
> >There is an old saying "There are none so blind as those who will
> >not see".
> >Our eyes may not work but our brains do.
> >Steve
> >
> >
> >
> >SRBaker
> >
> >
> >
> >From: ladygloria at webband.com
> >To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> >Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:19:37 -0700
> >Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from
> >Chairman
> >Gordon Gund
> >
> >What in the heck is wrong with being blind!
> >
> >
> >Gloria Whipple
> >Corresponding Secretary
> >Inland Empire chapter
> >nfb of WA
> >
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> >[mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> >On
> >Behalf Of S Baker
> >Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 14:14
> >To: AMoLList
> >Subject: [nfb-talk] {Disarmed} FW: A personal report from
> >Chairman
> >Gordon
> >Gund
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >SRBaker
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:00:24 -0500
> >From: GGund at FightBlindness.org
> >To: srbaker at charter.net
> >Subject: A personal report from Chairman Gordon Gund
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Like you, Steven, I follow the work of the Foundation Fighting
> >Blindness
> >closely. As a donor, I want to know that my donations make a
> >difference.
> >
> >And believe me, they do. When I reflect on the last year and
> >listen to
> >this
> >video, I am reminded that we have more clinical trials for
> >sight-saving
> >treatments underway than ever before. Clearly, hope and optimism
> >are running high. Incredible strides have been made in the last
> >few years,
> >and
> >these remarkable advances would not have been made without your
> >support of
> >the Foundation. They include:
> >
> >Vision Restored. We are continuing to build on remarkable
> >gains in
> >gene
> >therapy. As you may recall, in a Foundation-funded trial,
> >9-year-old
> >Corey
> >Haas and 19 others received a gene therapy treatment and can
> >now see.
> >And
> >as the trial has expanded, participants have shown sustained
> >improvement in
> >vision. Building on this success, similar gene therapy
> >treatments
> >are moving into clinical trials for choroideremia, Stargardt
> >disease and
> >Usher
> >syndrome.
> >
> >Innovative Technology. The high-tech industry has a treatment
> >I'm
> >incredibly excited about-- the world's first commercially
> >available artificial or "bionic" eye. Early funding from the
> >Foundation was key
> >to
> >getting this engineered retina off the ground. Building on the
> >studies
> >we
> >funded, the light-sensing, implantable "chip" has been tested
> >in a
> >clinical
> >trial in Europe with great results. In the study, people who
> >were
> >profoundly
> >blind experienced improved vision that could help them to be
> >more
> >independent. In fact, many can now see shapes and recognize
> >large
> >letters.
> >
> >Groundbreaking Therapies. A research team funded by the
> >Foundation
> >Fighting
> >Blindness developed an innovative technique for correcting the
> >disease-causing gene by using stem cells derived from a
> >person's skin.
> >While
> >more work is needed to ensure safety, this advancement suggests
> >that
> >doctors
> >may someday be able to treat a patient's retinal disease using
> >their
> >own
> >skin cells.
> >These few accomplishments barely begin to tell the story of all
> >the
> >progress
> >that's being made. And this is why words can never express my
> >personal gratitude for your passionate and committed support.
> >
> >I hope you will take a few minutes to watch the video and see
> >the
> >results of
> >your support and the hope it has generated. But most
> >importantly,
> >I
> >hope you
> >will see that research is progressing at a terrific rate. It's
> >been a
> >long
> >time coming, but we crossed a critical threshold when our
> >researchers actually restored sight. It launched us into a new
> >era
> >when more and
> >more
> >people will have their sight saved or restored every year. A lot
> >of
> >work
> >remains. But we'll get there by continuing to work together.
> >
> >The Foundation Fighting Blindness values the support you give us
> >by donating, talking to your friends, and advocating for
> >increased
> >research
> >funding. As we continue our relentless pursuit to eradicate
> >blindness,
> >we
> >hope you will continue your steadfast support of our mission.
> >Thanks
> >for
> >envisioning a bright future for the millions affected by retinal
> >degenerative diseases.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Gordon Gund
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Check us out on:
> >
> >Tell a Friend | Subscribe | Change email address | Unsubscribe
> >Foundation Fighting Blindness www.FightBlindness.org
> >7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100 Columbia, MD 21046
> >1-800-683-5555
> >
> >nonprofit software
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