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From: Linda.Iverson@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Iverson)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Hamburger Orders
Message-ID: <16058@handicap.news>
Date: 17 Jun 91 15:29:34 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Verna, hi again.

Well, for one, I wholeheartedly agree with your message to James.
I don't think the average non-disabled person is deliberately out to
ignore a disabled person or exclude us--they just don't think.  They
never think somehow we live in the real world.  People are amazed I
like movies, for example.  When I make the comment that I saw this
or that they always comment.  People fail to realize the words "see"
and "hear" are not just the ability to do those things but imply an
action as well.  So many times I've been places with my son and people
would say thing like, "Gee, that's so nice you're helping your mom".
 "Are you taking care of your mom?"  Even when he was four or five.

 It would be easy to vow I'd never go anywhere again, but I just keep

plugging away and will answer any questions as long as they are asked
in sincerity and with genuine interest.  I think those of us with disabilities
have to let the world know we belong here, too.  Hopefully, some of
those people I educate may be in a position to hire a disabled person
or help them in some way because in helping them they'll help themselves.

I think you hit the nail on the head.  You met someone you want wanted
to get to know and you initiated a friendship.  True, we can't be accepted
by all, but I figure those people who are rude to me aren't worth bothering
with anyway.  I remember in college once I introduced myself to the
girl sitting next to me and asked if she'd carbon her physics notes.
 This was a large class and the professor wrote on the board without

verbally explaining anything.  I knew she was there, but she ignored
me.  Then, another student who heard the conversation offered and we
became great friends.  So, really, this girl did me a favor.  I met
someone who saw a need and volunteered.  But, it did hurt my feelings.
 Again, though, human beings hurt each other--that's part of living

in this world.

Please tell your daughter blind people don't have better hearing.
We probably just listen more closely because hearing is our main information
gathering source.

My keyboard is sticking again; sorry for the sloppy letter, but I can't
figure this editor out.  Oh, well.

Take care,

Linda

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