[misc.handicap] getting help

Brian.Lewis@f603.n151.z1.fidonet.org (Brian Lewis) (06/25/91)

Index Number: 16442

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

I am one who usually accepts help when it's offered.  I figure that if I
do, then that person will offer to help the next blind person they see as
well.  But, it's important that if a blind person accepts help when they
really don't need it, they should be careful that the person doesn't help
them the wrong way.  Case in point:  One day I was walking down the
street when I came to a crossing.  Someone offered to help me, and I
accepted.  It was a busy intersection,and what happened was that he
helped me across the wrong street because I wasn't paying attention.  I
eventually righted myself, but it took me a few minutes.  I guess what
I'd say about the whole thing is that it's a good idea to accept help
even when you don't necessarily need it.  The next blind person who comes
along may really need it, and if a person really wishes to help, then why
not go ahead and let themfeel good.  --Brian
/es

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Donna.Siren@p19.f5.n396.z1.fidonet.org (Donna Siren) (06/28/91)

Index Number: 16538

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 BL> I am one who usually accepts help when it's offered.  I figure that if I
 BL> do, then that person will offer to help the next blind person they see as
 BL> well

I don't think this is necessarily true, however I do feel that how
we refuse help is more important than whether or not we refuse it.
If a blind person is rude in refusing help, then chances are that
person will think twice about offering help, but if we are nice
about it, refusing with a "no thank you, I'm fine" or something
along those lines, then I'm sure that sighted person wouldn't mind
their help being refused and would probably offer help to another
blind person in the future.
	       Donna

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David.Tanner@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.org (David Tanner) (06/28/91)

Index Number: 16561

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 BL>> I am one who usually accepts help when it's offered.  I figure that if I
 BL>> do, then that person will offer to help the next blind person they see as
 BL>> well

 DS> I don't think this is necessarily true, however I do feel that
 DS> how we refuse help is more important than whether or not we
 DS> refuse it.  If a blind person is rude in refusing help, then
 DS> chances are that person will think twice about offering help,
 DS> but if we are nice about it, refusing with a "no thank you, I'm
 DS> fine" or something along those lines, then I'm sure that
 DS> sighted person wouldn't mind their help being refused and would
 DS> probably offer help to another blind person in the future.
 DS>           Donna

     I have to agree  and wonder how many sighted people have decided
never to speak to another blind person because they got scolded for
petting their guidedog.  Myself, I find it much better to let the person
pet the dog if I am standing waiting for a light to change or for a train
to come to the platform than to be rude and take the chance that the
person will be offended and maybe not help me or some other blind person
when they really need some help.  I have met a lot of really nice sighted
people traveling on the commuter trains here at Phillie and I have
developed several friendships with these people that would not have
happened had I taken the same attitude that a lot of blind folks take
toward accepting a little help whether it is needed or not.
                    D. T.

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