[nfbwatlk] drive in custodialism - The Nature of Independence

[Debby Phillips]

Hi Don, but this is to me the same courtesy that a sighted person 
offers another driver when they let that person merge on to a 
street by slowing down so that the other person can merge.  This 
is the same courtesy that another driver might extend if they see 
that someone has something hanging out of their car and they 
flash their lights or give some indication to the other driver 
that there's something amiss.  Or when a driver stops and 
indicates that they are waiting to let another person drive their 
car into a parking place before they back out on to the road.  I 
just think that too often we jump to the conclusion that people 
are treating us differently than they do sighted folks, and since 
most of my time is spent hanging out with sighted folks, I see 
them offer each other these little courtesies.  So it's the same 
when someone tells me something like, after I go, it's clear.  I 
still need to use my own judgment, but I'm grateful for the 
information.  I know what kind of guy you are.  You are kind and 
gentle.  But it's just that I wonder why we, not just you, but we 
as blind people, always have to get so defensive and uptight when 
sighted people act in a courteous manner.     Peace,    DEBBY