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From: Nancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Nancy Feldman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Public relations
Message-ID: <19174@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 4 May 91 04:22:01 GMT
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Index Number: 15386

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Diana,

The experience you had on the bus while trying to use the BNS would
have frustrated me.  I sometimes bring my 4-track player in my
backpack and run headphones to it so that I can listen to a
textbook or even to just a normal, for fun type book.  It helps to
kill time on the half hour to downtown and the half hour back, plus
time on buses when I need to transfer.

However, I am not entitled to read on the bus, though others are
allowed that privilege.  I either get questions dealing with the
dog or "What are you listening to?"  I may not hear the questioner
the first time, and most get real annoyed when they have to repeat
themselves.  Finally I gave up trying to read while on the bus.

Here is an example of how blind people are treated differently than
sighted people.  A couple of weeks ago I was at a restaurant with
several friends.  After dinner we all stood outside and chatted.
Somehow or other I started chasing a friend of mine around the
parking lot.  I think he said something that I wanted to hit him
for, and so I went after him.  Now he is sighted and my vision is
of the kind that is just enough to get me into trouble.  But we
were having fun.  He would head straight for poles and then veer
off at the last moment.  I almost ran into two poles, but didn't.
I finally got him and got mmy revenge.

Anyway, I thought nothing of this situation.  We were having fun,
and no one was harmed.  We were just playing, right!

Apparently, however, two people were really offended by this
situation.  A restaurant employee was gonna call the cops because
he/she thought I was in dangerr.  And an observer from the group we
had dinner with was really offended, guessing I suppose that my
friend was really trying to hurt me.  Neither of these individuals
mentioned this to me, but they told yet another friend of mine a
few days later.  This friend set them straight, and I appreciate
that; but I ask you this ... Would anyone have even cared (or
thought anything of it) if both people involved were sighted?  I
bet not.

If I wasn't complaining and my husband, who was watching all this,
wasn't complaining, whose business is it anyhow?

All I ever want is to be treated like a normal person.  This means
expecting me to act in normal ways, sure; expecting me to meet the
same requirements in the workplace or wherever.  But this also
means treating me like a human being.  I know my limitations, but I
also know my capabilities.  Apparently I ask too much, however!

Anyway, good luck; and sorry this message was so long.  I'm
interested in swapping stories with you (or anyone else) about
problems with the public and how they were handled.  Perhaps I will
learn something from these discussions, and perhaps my comments
will help someone else.

Sheesh, this message is long.  Take care.

-> MegaMail v2.01 #0:If there is a God, why was Alien Nation canceled

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