David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (05/04/91)
Index Number: 15373
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
WS> People usually tell us when we travel, that we are so
WS> nice. We are not like some those other blind people we come
WS> in contact with. I guess if you want to be thought of in that
WS> manner, just continue on, and fight your way through life.
WS> Frankly, I would rather get along with people, and usually get
WS> what I want to get. AS some one else said on here, that there
WS> are more things with higher priorities, than those trivial
WS> matters. Those higher priorities like unimployment, should
WS> take more of our energy. And, you know something life is a
WS> lot brighter.
Walter, There is of course the proper time to fight something, and
the proper time to go along. Each of us must make that judgment as
we go through our daily life. Each of us is going to do it
differently, as we see from the different messages here. You
basically say that a blind person fighting against unwanted help is
a trivial matter. I don't agree. The help that someone offers
you, and feels that you need, is directly related to the
opportunities he/she, and society is going to offer you. If
someone feels that blind persons can't safely travel alone, or use
an escalator for example, and if their building has an escalator,
then they are going to feel that blind people can't work in their
building.
We will ultimately get people jobs by changing their attitudes
about blindness, not by passing laws that say you must hire us.
Obviously, we can't snap at everyone that offers us help. There
are better and worse ways to handle these situations. One of the
things that this Echo can do is allow us to exchange ideas about
how to do so. This is also something that groups, such as the NFB
and ACB can also do.
You said that people tell you and your wife that you are nicer then
other blind people they have met. This is because you are matching
their expectations for passive, accept any help that is offered,
blind persons. People basically have good motives and want to feel
good when they offer assistance. They sometimes get offended when
it is turned down, even when it is turned down nicely. We are
saying I don't need your help, and that doesn't match their image
of blind people as helpless. This makes them uncomfortable.
You must lead your life in the way in which your are uncomfortable,
accepting help, or not, as you see fit. I am not trying to be
critical of you for that. Likewise, you should accept that there
are those of us who are not going to accept all offered help,
simply because it is offered.
... David Andrews
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!David.Andrews
Internet: David.Andrews@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgWilliam.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (William Wilson) (05/16/91)
Index Number: 15681
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
MP> What airline/airport did the wheelchair come in.
MP> Does this happen a lot, or just seldomly.
Mika,
I don't know about the others, but the few times that an airport
help person has met me at the gate with a wheelchair, it has been
obviously caused by a lack of more specific instruction from the flight
crew to the airport than, "we have a disabled passenger who may need
assistance", therefore an assumption being made that was inaccurate, and
a very quick realization on the part of the wheelchair pusher that it
wasn't needed and a statement on their part acknolaging such!
Willie
... BlinkTalk, Dr. Deb and Silver in Pittsburgh!
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!William.Wilson
Internet: William.Wilson@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgDiana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Diana Dawne) (05/16/91)
Index Number: 15690
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
If there is a reason why you need a wheelchair, why is it necessary for
you to explain why just because you are blind. One time I had to return
from New York because I became very ill. I just wasn't strong enough to
make the long walk from one area of the airport to the other so I asked
for a wheel chair. They got one for me but only after they explained
that most blind people didn't like it when they suggested it. I really
didn't appreciate having to explain to the aggent why I needed it. I
really felt that the fact that I asked was enough. Oh well. You can
win 'em all.
* EZ 1.30 *
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Diana.Dawne
Internet: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.orgDiana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Diana Dawne) (05/21/91)
Index Number: 15735 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] >Anyway, I'm climbing down from the soapbox now. <Crash> Oops, >missed my footing. <Grin> Can I help you? Would you like a wheelchair? Hi Nancy. I think that we do not disaggree on this subject. I aggree, that we need to be as indipendent as we can and if at all possible, I think that means turning down wheelchairs. On the other side of the coin though, if someone really needs a wheelchair, I think he should use it. I have a friend who is blind. He also has a severe problem walking because he has a breathing problem. When I have been with him, I have urged him to take the wheelchair. He has insisted on walking only to get to his plane and have the parametics called because he was having difficulty breathing. This caused a problem both for the airline and for him but if he hadn't exerted himself beyond his abilities, then it wouldn't have bothered anyone. I used to work in a hospital. I had a cane with me and knew the place backwards, well certain parts of it. I had a major surgery at that hospital. In process of time, I became strong enough to walk around, and the doctor told me to walk as much as possible. I got up and went to the elevator and down to my office where I had something I wanted to read.The staff just about came unglued. They discovered me missing and looked all over the place except the back places that you only knew about if you worked there. The only reason they found me was because I called the nurses station to tell them I really didn't feel like lunch. After that, I was told I couldn't go wandering off. However, when I had to go for tests, I was allowed to walk. I was asked not to wander about the hospital though and that does make sense. A couple of my patients wanted me to come see them but I declined because I wasn't dressed properly. Anyway, I would have gotten tired in the middle of the visit, and that probably would have caused problems. All I am saying is we all have limits. I think if your physical condition requires it, use a wheelchair. Otherwise, walk. In itself, blindness is not a reason for the wheelchair. I have explained to more then one airline employee that blindness effects the eyes, not the mind or the legs. Now I'll get off the soap box. * EZ 1.30 * -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!109!432!Diana.Dawne Internet: Diana.Dawne@f432.n109.z1.fidonet.org