[Blindtlk] Question

Tue Sep 19 09:30:26 CDT 2006

Hi Guys,

Wow!  I'm trying to think of a good way to start here.  I simply had to
add a very loud, resounding amen to Martin's post.  I could go several
different directions with this, and go on and on for the rest of the
day.  I promise, I won't (smile) but I just had to add my wholehearted
support to this post.

First of all, I am, in fact, totally blind, and have been, for all
practical purposes, my whole life.  I attended a state school for the
blind, and, even there, there was a definite pecking order established.
There were a few very rare exceptions, but, for the most part, the more
vision you had, the more opportunities you were given, the more votes of
confidence you received.  So, early on, the messages I got both from
society in general and from those charged with educating the blind
students at my school were that the more sight you had, the better your
lot in life would be.

So I began trying desperately to pretend I had sight, and making up
stories/lies insisting that there were pending surgical procedures that
were going to restore my sight. The powers that be at the school for the
blind insisted that I needed mental help.  I know now that what I needed
was the philosophy of the NFB, and the knowledge that IT IS RESPECTABLE
TO Be BLIND!  This is a truth that I unfortunately wouldn't' realize
until many years later. Anyway, back to the matter at hand.

When the time came for me to begin using a cane, I wanted nothing to do
with the thing.  Back then they started most of us out in Junior
High/middle school, and already very awkward and sensitive time for
teens anyway.  In my opinion, a ridiculous time to introduce them to
something that they will feel singles them out.

I remember once a mobility instructor announced that he wanted me to
take the cane home for the summer and practice.  I wanted nothing to do
with that assignment, and promptly hid the cane in the book locker room,
and almost got away without it.  But alas, the instructor happened by
and spotted the cane.  Suffice it to say that the instructor raked me
over the coals for this attempt, and the cane went home with me for the
summer.  He couldn't' make me do much practicing though, without moving
in, and the only time I used the cane was during the course of O&M
lessons that summer.

The bond with this instrument of independence has been formed gradually
over the years, but has increased dramatically since becoming affiliated
with the NFB.  It now goes virtually everywhere I do.  I could function
in my office work environment with out it as well, and I used to do this
as much as I could, but I have learned that I can more more quickly and
more confidently if I have it with me.  I'm not in control of this
environment and never know whether someone may have moved a cart or a
chair or where repair equipment and so forth might be located if a
repairman is here to say, work on the copier.

I don't use the cane within my home, of course, but I do use it in my
own back yard as it helps me to move more assuredly.  You know, as a
kid, I really didn't like to go outside to play very much as most kids
do.  I think the absence of a cane may have had something to do with
that dislike.

I know, I know, I promised to be brief didn't I?  (smile)  I just have
to make one additional point.  When I was a child I was also diagnosed
as having a hearing deficit.  Hearing aids were recommended, but I
refused to wear them.  I simply was NOT going to deal with the stigma of
two disabilities.  I already had to look blind, I wasn't' going to be
labeled as deaf too! Eventually my parents elected not to fight this
battle.

Well... As a result, I often looked very inept and unintelligent,
because I didn't understand people or I missed things that were going on
around me.  Eventually, I gave into the need to be all that I could and
wanted to be, and believe me, it has made an astounding difference.  I
have learned that it is much more productive to own up to what your
disabilities are and use  the appropriate assistive technology than to
appear to be incompetent simply because you don't have the tools you
need to bridge the equality gap.

As A final note, I'll just say that I am still evolving.  Though I've
been benefiting from the use of hearing aids for years now, and have not
been particularly secretive about this fact,  I have always worn my hair
in such a way that the hearing aids  weren't visible.  Still had that
hang up.  I like long hair anyway, so those two hang-ups complimented
each other nicely.  However for this past Christmas, and my last
birthday, a very good friend gave me several pair of beautiful earrings,
and some pieces to pull back and compliment my long hair.   It took a
little getting used to, but I now regular wear earrings and have my hair
pulled back in an ornate fashion, exposing my hearings aids in clear
view.   I can honestly say that there is no longer any
self-consciousness about them, and I am free to be me. It's a great
feeling.

Make friends with that cane Miss Lindsay, and use it to its fullest
potential. You are young with many experiences an opportunities ahead of
you.   now is the best time to maximize your potential, to go where you
want to go and do what you want to do.  Believe me, you will be so glad
you did.

Blessings to All,
Diane Graves 
Civil Rights Specialist 
Indiana Civil Rights Commission 
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit 
317-232-2647 

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."--Winston
Churchill  

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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Marion & Martin
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 8:45 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Question

Dear Lindsay,
    One of the things I find in my work with those who are blind and
have a 
little eyesight is their negative attitudes about the white cane. The
white 
cane is a symbol of blindness and, as such identifies a person as being 
blind. I would like to offer that, for these people, the issue is not
with 
their cane but with their attitudes about blindness. Let me share a
story 
about this to illustrate what I mean.
    One summer, when I was a college student I took some classes at a
local 
community colege because they were not offered during the summer at the 
university. I met another student who was majoring in the same field and
had 
the same eye condition as I (Retinitis pigmentosa). One day I asked him
if 
he would like to join me for a special lecture on campus that I knew
would 
be of interest to him. He was very interested and said he would like to
join 
me. When I told him where it was, he replied that he did not go to that
side 
of the campus because he was unfamiliar with the area and heard there
were 
some steps there. I asked him if he had a wite cane and he told me he
didn't 
use one! I asked him why not and he told me he "didn't want to look 
helpless". I then asked him which was more helpless, using a white cane
and 
going where and doing what he wished or not doing something he really
wanted 
to do because he didn't. He had no reply to me.
    Even though you know your high school campus "as well as you know
your 
home", you are not in control of that environment, like you are in your 
home. Think about what might happen if, for instance, another student 
spilled something on the floor and the maintenance person mopped it up
and 
put a "wet floor: sign in the area that isn't usually there. Without the
use 
of your cane, you could trip over the sign and injure yourself and/or 
someone else.
    You admit that others know you are blind and they do not treat you 
differently as the result. They obviously realize that your blindness
does 
not change the person you are. using a white cane allows you to travel
more 
freely and competently without worrying about whether someone else has
put 
obstacles in the way. many people who do not use a white cane are more 
ehesitant and appear less competent than those who use a white cane. In
my 
opinion, I would like to appear as a confident, competent blind person
who 
uses a white cane than a helpless individual who does not.
    I know many blind people who refuse to use a white cane because they
say 
they don't need it. I have seen those people fall into holes, trip on
curbs 
and fall down stairs because they did not see the obstacle. They still 
maintain they do not need a white cane. I was one of those people!
    When I began using a white cane, I was teaching at a school for
gifted 
children. The Headmaster asked me to put the cane away while i was in
the 
classroom because he did not want the parents to know that i was blind. 
"What would they think?" he asked. I replied, "They would think I was a 
competent blind teacher," was my reply.
    No one seems to care that you are blind. Don't be ashamed of it,
either. 
Use the tools that competent, independent blind people use and show the 
world that is what you are. Helpless, dependent blind people don't need
a 
white cane - independent, competent, self-determined blind people do!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "lindsay" <lindsay777 at charter.net>
To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 7:26 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] Question

>I had a question about the cane.  I'm fine with using the cane at  
>school, but sometimes I don't need it.  I feel like I know the  school 
>practically as well as my house.  I can see somewhat.  Light, darkness,

>shagows, colors, and things like that.  Everything kind of looks like a

>big blob.  I can only tell  sometimes what things are.  I'm right in 
>the middle, I can see  more than light, but not enough to read large 
>print.  It's kind  of frustrating because I go to a public school.  I'm

>the only one  who uses a cane.  But if I didn't go to a public school, 
>I would  probably never see my family.  I don't mind reading Braille.
> Although it WOULD be more convenient if I could read print.  It's
> just my cane!  It makes me stick out.  I don't want to always be
> dependent on my parents, but I don't like everyone knowing I
> can't see very well.  Sure, it has its advantages, but for the
> most part it can be very frustrating.  Please help me to know
> what to think about my cane.  Teachers and kids treat me the same
> for the most part, I just really hate my cane.
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk 

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