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From: Henry.Kasten@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Henry Kasten)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: time to learn the ropes
Message-ID: <19088@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 2 May 91 17:34:57 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Mika,
I read your msg to Glen N. regarding people asking for help.  What
are you?  some kind of retard?  Don't you know that it is a
personal affront on your independence when (god forbid) someone
should ask if you need help?  It is not too late for you!  you are
only 18, there is still time for you to learn the official rules of
blindom.  Foremost in your mind you must always remember that all
sighted people consider you an idiot.  Idiots are fun to harass.
Sighted people will go out of there way just to make you feel even
stupider about yourself than you already do.  If you can graciously
accept these harassing questions and offers then your self image,
self assurance and self esteem are way too high!  Either your not
blind or must be a liar or have something wrong with you.
Hopefully, you just have something wrong with you.  Like me )I too
am a socially blind retard.  I have been working diligently at
trying to be a better blind person.  I listen to at least 1 hour of
Don Rickles every day, I chant "I am a rock, I am an island" at
best 30 or 40 times a day and I spend a good part of the day
thinking of snappy comebacks for all situations, imagined or
otherwise.  It is starting to work, just this morning someone
getting off the elevator told me the nest stop was mine.  As soon
as the door was shut I said, "Gee, thanks.  I might have ridden the
elevator all day without your help!".  Pretty good, for a novice.
With more practice, I might get up enough gall to say it to a
person rather than a wall.  You see, their is hope for you too.
Just get your head on straight and practice, practice, practice.
Good luck, HK

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