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 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!130!10!Linda.Iverson Internet: Linda.Iverson@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org