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From: Al.Hoffman@p0.f143.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Al Hoffman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Jamal and the NFB
Message-ID: <16810@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 10 Jan 91 18:00:56 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Anne:
     I know I shouldn't do this but...

     Maybe I am just an ignorant fool, but I rather expect that I 
can function in one of the plane accidents as well as just about anyone. 

 Its not like we have to answer questions from the other passengers, 
as "Can you count my fingers?"

     No, I'm not some physical specimen or an unbeliveable talent 
at mobility, but hey, I can lift and throw a warm body as well as 
the next idiot, and I am pretty sure I can hit a hole, like the door, 
pretty well through the total panic that would be occuring.

     Ok, OK, I have said my little bit, and I agree with your sentiment 
as well, I don't suppose I'd want to sit in some place like that if 
I felt uncomfortable with my own abilities in that area.

     Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing anyone of anything.  Its 
sort of a point of view.  I can understand the sighted passengers 
feelings, since most of them are in the thought pattern of "Ok, those 
poor blind people..."  I don't suppose they do want a blind person 
there.

     I am at a massive dichotomy on this point.  I think I should 
be able to sit there, but then I am not so awfully sure its worth 
any effort on my part to make some fool let me!  There are probablly 
much more worthwhile things I can rant and rave about.  Besides, ranting 
and raving on this issue won't really change the public perceptions 
of visual impairments, other than probablly making the average guy 
say, "Look at the blind fool babbling about the airplanes!"
     Talk to ya later!

--
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