Linda.Iverson@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Linda Iverson) (07/24/90)
Index Number: 9428
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Phil, of all the messages I've read on this subject, I think yours
says a lot. And, I agree with you. It is my understanding that the
Airlines haven't made the seating policy, but the ruling comes from
the FAA. Personally, for the reasons you mentioned, and because I
haven't had training in flight emergency procedures, I wouldn't want
to sit in the exit row. I'm sure I'd get out of the plane, and probably
be as calm as many of the sighted passengers, but I just think someone
who deals with that situation all the time could handle it better.
Now, I think I'm as competent as the next blind guy. But, in my humble
opinion, most of us are not at the top or the bottom of competency.
We may be good at some things, but someone will always be better,
and someone will always be worse. That is true of the sighted. I
don't feel my competency as a person, blind or otherwise, should be
judged by one thing alone. Sighted people can't do everything either.
I think we should all try to do our best, and nothing more can be
expected. I have seen some blind parents who try to prove to the world
that they are good parents by never making their kids do a single household
chore. On the otherhand, some blind parents require their children
to do everything. I'm out to prove to myself and my son I'm a good
mom--not people I might not see fifty years from now anyway. I give
my son responsibilities, but I try to be fair. He didn't ask to be
born, and he shouldn't have to be penalized because of my blindness.
Yes, I may ask him to do some things because of my blindness, but
every household has its own unique set of rules. When people come
up to us and tell me what a big help me must be I make a point of telling
them we help each other. After all, I am the parent; he is the child.
Yes, he may read the choices offered in a pop machine, but I pay for
the pop. Isn't that cooperation? That's what being a family is.
When my husband walked out on us, I sat down with my son and we discussed
what a family is. He agreed that the two of us are as much a family
as you and your wife and children. I think the best thing any of us
can do to improve our lives as blind people is be ourselves, do our
best and let our sighted peers know we are just like them except we
can't see. If we have any talents or gifts, we would probably have
them were we sighted. And, finally, quit fighting among ourselves.
Join whatever broups of and for the blind you choose and take all
or part of its philosophy to use in your own way. But don't run your
blind brothers and sisters down if their views or abilities are different
from yours.
Anyway, Phil, I hope we can put this subject to rest. Maybe you're
right--we all feel vulnerable at times because of our blindness, and
we don't like it. We'd rather blame it on the airlines, or someone
else rather than admitting we can't do everything, but Superman and
Super-mom or myths after all. Hope to hear from you soon. Take care!
Linda
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