Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Scott.Marshall From: Scott.Marshall@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Scott Marshall) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: partials and totals Message-ID: <13219@bunker.UUCP> Date: 28 Jul 90 04:18:50 GMT Sender: news@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Scott.Marshall@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:129/89.0 - BlinkLink, Pittsburgh PA Lines: 37 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 9583 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] Hi David: Good points on this subject. I think the discrimination and immature attitudes can go both ways: totals and partials. As far as the self-image question is concerned, I think that the people who have some sight can be very insecure about it, (and so too with some totals) and that's there problem. True, the "system" can play a big role in the self-image question depending upon what messages we are sent, but this is only one factor of many in a very complex human issue. People with poor self-image or bad attitudes about blindness don't have to affect the way I feel about myself unless I choose to allow it to happen. Admittedly, though, that can be tough sometimes. That's what we pay the Debbie Hazeltons of the world to be able to talk through these issues. (hi, Deb, if you're reading this, the cheks in the mail!) Blindness or visual loss in whatever degree can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. Even though I say that, I am not suggesting that I'm ashamed of being blind. To the contrary. We all have various talents and faculties which we can use to our advantage. I'm a lot smarter than a lot of sighted folks who I am sure couldn't make it in the world if they were blind. For that matter, many of them aren't making it as sighted people, either. If anything, I feel sorry for them. Keep the faith in yourself. Cheers: Scott ... From Washington, DC Where Every Day is Christmas -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Scott.Marshall Internet: Scott.Marshall@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org