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From: Debbie.Hazelton@f19.n369.z1.fidonet.org (Debbie Hazelton)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Moses, Aaron Or Is It Willie?  Never Mind, I Guess It Is Really Not
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Date: 11 Aug 90 03:01:35 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 > hi deb I know what you mean about situations with sighted people in 
 > stores and restaurants.  Some times I go into a store and they say to my 
 > sighted friends "what does he need." They reply "ask him he is the one 
 > that needs something."

 And of course, you aren't supposed to know what you need.

 Another thing that gets me real mad is when
 > people ask those stupid questions about my dog.  How old is he? What is 
 > his name?

 And what kind of food does he eat?  Where does he sleep?  And of
 course, all dogs are "he."  And cats are "she."  Right! <grin>

 I was in the jackson ville airport the other day and having a
 > conversation with my fother about the fish that we caught and some jerky 
 > gentleman wanted to know my dog's name.  I answered and continued the 
 > conversation.  That really burns!!!!! Well another thing is when I am 
 > having dinner with my girl friend and some wonderful concerned person 
 > wants to ask dog questions.

 It's as though your time isn't your own.  People come up and interrupt.
 And tjey can see!  But we're supposed to drop everything and comply.  I
 sometimes just ignore them, or give one word answers.

 I am of course very rude but not as rud as
 > tandy

 That's good.

 but ask the person to let me relax with my girl friend and eat my
 > dinner.

 Oh good!  I sometimes tell people I'd rather answer questions if we get
 to know eac h other as people.  I think it's okay to let people know
 that I also am human, have moods and personal needs.  It's okay to not
 educate folks 24 hours a day.  I used to be more rudeabout it.  Now I
 just let them know, sometimes, depends upon the situation, that I don't
 feel like answering questions right now, that I perhaps will another
 time.  Then they have an opportunity to reach out to me as a human
 being, and not as some sort of designated pamphlet to tell them
 "everything they ever wanted to know about blindness but were afraid to
 ask."   I'm not one of these people who feels that because people know
 so little, that it's my job to educate 24 hours a day.

 So thank you for letting me blow that out see ye soon

 Oh I'm glad you did.  I don't think we get enough chances to talk about
 those things.  We're supposed to be so "nice" because all "those
 people" are so "well intended."--Don't ya know? <grin>

 what part
 > of florida are you in.  I love florida my parents live in saint 
 > augestine.

 I'm in Deerfield Beach, which is below Boca Raton, and above Pompano
 and Fort Lauderdale.

 Takecare.

Deb

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