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From: Paula.Mack@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Paula Mack)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Public Relations
Message-ID: <19101@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 2 May 91 17:38:27 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 NF> I do try to be nice to people and most of the time it is easy.
 NF> But if you have never had a bad day I envy you!

Hi Nancy,

Just wanted to jump in here, because I think the main point of this
whole thread is that although we all try our best to be nce to people,
we should not be obligated, (just because we are blind) to have our
whole lives on display for their benefit.  I feel that if a blink is the
sort of person who is outgoing and likes to talk to people, then fine.
However, in my particular case, I'm not that kind of person, and I don't
think I should be compelled to change my entire personality for the sake
of public education.

 NF> Also another fact for you to consider:  Not all blind people who
 NF> have dog guides are outgoing, talkative people.  Especially
 NF> when I was younger I tended to be quite shy.  Talking to people
 NF> I didn't know was somewhat of a challenge for me.

I guess what I'm saying is that you shouldn't feel as if you have to
apologize for not wanting to talk to every jerk that comes up to you and
asks questions about your dog, or how you do things or anything else.

As long as we are not abusive to the general public, I think that our
blindness should not be allowed to take away our right to be who we are.
So don't be intimidated because some other blink thinks that we should
be nice to everyone that comes along.

We each have to be who we are, and those of us who enjoy talking to
people should not judge those of us who don't.

I usually stay out of these threads that go on and on and on, but I
really felt that you were being jumped on, and as a shy person myself,
and as one who values privacy above almost anything else, I felt
compelled to say something.

Paula

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