[nfbwatlk] Curious People

[Mike Freeman]

Rebekah:

Perhaps my take on this situation may shock you a bit. I agree with the 
guy that a blind person having to look at someone sideways *would* be 
strange. I realize that the blind person was probably trying to use 
his/her remaining vision (undoubtedly peripheral vision). But you and I 
both know about how well that works generally. Much better to learn how 
to function as a blind person. In other words, the person should have 
learned to face the guy directly and forego the little information s/he 
might have been getting from that peripheral vision.

So had I been you, I would have agreedd with the guy, saying something 
like: "Yeah! I *bet* that looked strange! You'd think the person would 
have had the social grace to face you directly! Why do you suppose s/he 
didn't?" Then you have an opening to talk about how people try to use 
remaining vision even when it doesn't serve them well.

In other words, it doesn't hurt my self-image one bit to admit that some 
blind persons don't have the social graces. Collectively, that is all of 
our problem. But one-on-one, it isn't and all I can do is to try to 
counteract the bad impressions by rational discussion.

Just my immediate thoughts.

Mike

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Rebekah Jakeman
  To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
  Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 11:24 AM
  Subject: [nfbwatlk] Curious People


  This may be a no-brainer, but out of curiosity, what do you all do in 
the following situation?

  Strangers often approach me, see my cane, and start off conversation 
listing all the disabled people they know.  I think they are just trying 
to be nice and say what they think will connect with me.  Often though 
these descriptions of other people are extremely less than flattering 
and everything is smoothed over by saying they are an inspiration or 
helps others.

  Usually I just keep my cool and work in NFB philosophy where I can. 
But one such conversation on Saturday left me quite ruffled inside. 
This guy was telling me about a blind lady that had to turn sideways to 
look at you.  He said it was strange and you had to get used to her. 
What do you say to that kind of thing?

  Sorry, my son needs my help.  Let me know what you all think.

  Rebekah


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Rebekah:
 
Perhaps my take on this situation may shock you a bit. I agree with the guy that a blind person having to look at someone sideways *would* be strange. I realize that the blind person was probably trying to use his/her remaining vision (undoubtedly peripheral vision). But you and I both know about how well that works generally. Much better to learn how to function as a blind person. In other words, the person should have learned to face the guy directly and forego the little information s/he might have been getting from that peripheral vision.
 
So had I been you, I would have agreedd with the guy, saying something like: "Yeah! I *bet* that looked strange! You'd think the person would have had the social grace to face you directly! Why do you suppose s/he didn't?" Then you have an opening to talk about how people try to use remaining vision even when it doesn't serve them well.
 
In other words, it doesn't hurt my self-image one bit to admit that some blind persons don't have the social graces. Collectively, that is all of our problem. But one-on-one, it isn't and all I can do is to try to counteract the bad impressions by rational discussion.
 
Just my immediate thoughts.
 
Mike
 
----- Original Message -----
From:
mailto:rebekah.jakeman at gmail.com Rebekah Jakeman
To:
mailto:nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List
Sent:
Monday, February 11, 2008 11:24 AM
Subject:
[nfbwatlk] Curious People
This may be a no-brainer, but out of curiosity, what do you all do in the following situation?
Strangers often approach me, see my cane, and start off conversation listing all the disabled people they know.  I think they are just trying to be nice and say what they think will connect with me.  Often though these descriptions of other people are extremely less than flattering and everything is smoothed over by saying they are an inspiration or helps others. 
Usually I just keep my cool and work in NFB philosophy where I can.  But one such conversation on Saturday left me quite ruffled inside.  This guy was telling me about a blind lady that had to turn sideways to look at you.  He said it was strange and you had to get used to her.  What do you say to that kind of thing?
Sorry, my son needs my help.  Let me know what you all think.
Rebekah
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