[blparent] Introduction and a Question

[Kane Brolin]

On 2/19/16, Sarah Clark via BlParent <blparent at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I think some of these comments have gotten unnecessarily harsh, and people
> have gotten carried away to the point that they have stretched the truth
> from what was even said.

I couldn't agree more with what Sarah has voiced here.  In fact, as a
new subscriber to this list I must say that the nitpicking I've read
in this thread is not only excessive, but embarrassing.

It's a good thing that I am the co-founder of an NFB chapter, because
at least I understand why so many on this list have said that the
parent herself needs to interface with blind people to get direct
answers.  I get it.  But if I hadn't been steeped in Federation
philosophy--if I were not only new to this list but new to the
organization altogether--I would be so put off by some of these
replies that I probably would have taken offense and not had anything
to do with the Federation in the future.

Yes, I know we stand for the principle that blind people and
parents/guardians of blind children should work together to shape our
own destiny.  Sighted "professionals" shouldn't be our custodians and
shouldn't filter what we know or who we become.  But I am not
convinced the original poster was necessarily trying to do that at
all.

Would you rather have her go just to the AFB or to NAC to ask her
questions?  Let's think for just a moment about unintended
consequences before hitting the Send button, shall we?

The length of this thread is approaching the length of a classic
Russian novel.  Maybe we ought to focus our attention somewhere else
in a way that would be more useful to someone.

Kind regards,

Kane Brolin