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From: Walter.Siren@p18.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Siren)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Blindness And The Blindfold
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Date: 13 Nov 90 17:53:22 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 DA>> The other approach could have merit except that it would
 DA> perpetuate the  
 DA>> notion 
 DA>> that those who have some sight are luckier then us poor
 DA> guys with nothing 

Well, the plain fact is that are.  Those with sight can get in
their car and go at a moment's notice.  Sure I can get a cab, not
to mention the expense, but the inconvenience of trying to get
somewhere at a certain time.  The same way when going out of town
on a trip, it is a lot more convenient to go right out the door,
and get into a car, and get out at your destination.  Much better
then having to get a cab, catch a bus, and a cab on the other end.

It is a lot easier to shop when you have sight, and a lot easier to
travel in strange places.  To say that it is just as easy for me as
it is for them is hog wash.

Btw they can get a job easier than we can.  That little fact is
worth something.

 DA> Walter,  I had some vision until about two years ago, and lost it
 DA> then.  I must say that my life has not changed since then.  I may
 DA> get a little more help in the grocery store, 

     There is a change right there you admit to.

 DA> the quality of my life is no different.  Yes,
 DA> there are a couple things I would like to see, like the ballon
 DA> fiesta here in Albuquerque, but they do not change my life, the
 DA> presence or absence.  I certainly do not wish people to be
 DA> totally blind, but it isn't the end of the world.  

I never said that it is the end of the world.   But, to say that it
does not make a difference, is just fooling yourself, and no one
else.

 DA> the blind especially set up a cast system which makes the
 DA> partially sighted more priveleged then the totally blind, giving
 DA> them the idea they are better.  It creates an us and them
 DA> attitude.  When I was in blind school, in Virginia, totals could
 DA> not go downtown by themselves, but partials could.  Some
 DA> parftially sighted people try to use their sight for things for
 DA> which it is not appropriate, so there are probably instances
 DA> where a blind person would be better off.  I have also known
 DA> partials that lord their sight over me, telling me where to go

Well, this is one place that Louisiana is ahead of other places for
a change.  AT the school for the blind, we totals could go out in
town by ourselves like the partials.

I aggree, unfortunately that a lot of the partials think that they
are better than us totals, but all of them do not think that way.
Why do you think that people wanted to be visually impaired, they
don't want to be blind, except when it comes time to get their
income tax filled out.  But, I will still have to admit that they
are somewhat better off than us, but that don't mean that they are
any better.  Being better, and better off is two different things.

I certainly don't think a blind person should go around feeling
sorry for himself, but he has to face facts, that we can't do every
thing that a person with sight can do.  I think that the best way I
heard it put one time, I am not so bad off, but it is a little
inconvenient at times.

 DA> etc.  It allows them to feel superior.  I think it is very
 DA> dangerous and counterproductive for us to set up these class
 DA> distinctions.

Unfortunately class distinctions probably will always be around,
and that doesn't only occur with blind and sighted people.  You and
I both know that there many other facts that play apart in class
distinction, and that doesn't make it right.  I think that a person
who thinks that he is better off than someone else is worse off in
the long run.   What we or anyone else thinks doesn't make it so.

               Walter 

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