[misc.handicap] partials and totals

David.Andrews@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (David Andrews) (07/27/90)

Index Number: 9546

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 WS> first, when I went to the school for the blind, I did  
 WS> not find they taught against guidedogs, but they seem to make a  
 WS> cane shameful, and consequently, I went through college without  
 WS> a cane.  I did have object perception at that time.  I had to  
 WS> be convinced to use a cane after I finished college. 
      
 WS>      As far as the discrimination against guidedog users, I  
 WS>  find that is more discrimination between partials, and totals.  
 WS>   The partials at times seem to be ashamed of the totals.  Now,  
 WS>  before you partials send me mail on this, this is not true of  
 WS>  all of you.  I don't like putting people in a class.  
 
Walter, I have to agree with you on the partial total thing.  I feel qualitied
to speak on this one because I have been both.  I had some vision until about a
year and a half ago, now I have none.  Many, but not all partials lord their
sight over totally blind people.  This is in part because the system has taught
them that some sight is better then none.  Secondly, it is based on a negative
fact of human nature.  Everyone likes to feel superior to someone else.  So,
with society telling you that it is better to have some vision, and you do, it
is tough for a partial to resist those feelings of luck and superiority over
blind people.  They try to help with insturctions etc., but can be very
patronizing and insensative.  I know that some people will jump all over me for
this, but I have been there and have examined my motives then and now, and have
seen both sides.
David Andrews

... Your Sound Alternative

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Scott.Marshall@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Scott Marshall) (07/28/90)

Index Number: 9583

[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi David: 

Good points on this subject.  I think the discrimination and immature
attitudes can go both
ways: totals and partials.  As far as the self-image question is
concerned, I think that the people who have some sight can be very
insecure about it, (and so too with some totals) and that's there problem. 
True, the "system" can play a big role in the self-image question
depending upon what messages we are sent, but this is only one factor
of many in a very complex human issue.  People with poor self-image
or bad attitudes about blindness don't have to
affect the way I feel about myself unless I choose to allow it to
happen.  Admittedly, though, that can be tough sometimes. That's what
we pay the Debbie Hazeltons of the world to be able to talk through
these issues. <grin>  (hi, Deb, if you're reading this, the cheks in the mail!)

Blindness or visual loss in whatever degree can be a real pain in the
ass sometimes.  Even though I say that, I am not suggesting that I'm
ashamed of being blind. To the contrary. We all have various talents
and faculties which we can use to our advantage.  I'm a lot smarter
than a lot of sighted folks who I am sure couldn't make it in the
world if they were blind.  For that matter, many of them aren't
making it as sighted people, either. <grin>If anything, I feel sorry
for them.   

Keep the faith in yourself.
Cheers: Scott   

... From Washington, DC Where Every Day is Christmas

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