Are you sure?

John


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Jim Gammon
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2013 5:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Giving directions

Hey, it's not over there, it's behind you! Smile! Jim WA6EKS

 ----- Original Message -----
From: Aimee Lewis <[log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Date sent: Sat, 1 Jun 2013 17:21:29 -0400
Subject: Re: sighted wife

Ah yes, over there.  The two most dreaded words in the English language,
that is if you're blind.  They say you pick your battles, well, that's one I
pick and often.  I feel like I should know where over there is just as much
as the next person.  I let people know that over there means absolutely
nothing to me.  At this point, I've usually made the person's day by giving
them their moment of embarrassment, and an opportunity to actually get some
of that gray matter stirring up there in their heads.  Anyway, I often
remind people that "over" and "there" are four letter words.  
Okay, "there"
is a five letter word, but one of the letters is used twice.  
LOL!  Anyway,
that's my pocket change worth on the subject.  Everybody take care, and hope
you're having a wonderful weekend.

73
Aimee Lewis
KK4JHF
"Be well, do good work and keep in touch." (Garrison Keillor) P.S.  Cathy
Ann's description of "over there" being a place shrouded in mystery also
reminds me of another place shrouded in mystery, not so much to blind
people, but for anyone whose not from the country.  That expression being
over or in "yonder."  I have a funny story about trying to find yonder as if
it were a room in a house when I was about 4 years old.  I think this would
have happened to me even if I weren't blind, just simply because I wasn't
used to that expression.  If anyone's interested, I'll tell the story some
other time.  I won't take up any more time or space with that here.

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2013 11:45 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: sighted wife

John's comment about his wife telling him it was over there caused me to
revive this article written by CathyAnne Murtha.
Steve, K8SP

As my guide dog and I stood in line at the checkout of the River City Market
at CSUS, I asked the cashier what I considered a simple question.
"Where are the napkins please?" her response was hurried, but sincere, "over
there."

Emerging from the light rail for the first time, I managed to catch the
attention of a passer-by, "please sir, can you tell me where I might catch
bus 63?"
A kind voice offered a pleasant response before disappearing into to the
cacophony of the early afternoon, 'you can catch it.  'Over there.'"

So many things reside over there - napkins, bus stops, pencils, pens,
clothing racks, department stores and even my shoes! A never ending supply
of important and indispensable items and locales all reside in this place
which is shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

I stand in perplexed silence after learning that something is over there.
It is a place I have never been and have no hope of finding on my own.  My
guide dog is quite skilled in finding chairs, stairs, elevators, escalators,
helping me cross streets, and can even find me the Diet Pepsi display at
Food Town; however, when I tell her to find "over there" her little bottom
hits the floor and a small whimper tells me that she is as confused as I.
We will not be going "over there" today.  Over there has caused me a bit of
vexation, a lot of confusion, and, on occasion, made my heart race.

I have discovered that "over there" can be a dangerous place.  
One day, While
crossing a street, I heard a driver's irritated voice shout out a warning of
a truck bearing down on me from over there.  Shadow artfully dodged the
oncoming vehicle and pulled me to the safety of the curb.  Our hearts were
both racing as we took a few moments to compose ourselves.  Close encounters
with over there can be frightening experiences.

Although many blind people have wondered as to the exact location of "over
there," few have dared to venture forth in an actual exploration of the
mysterious place.

One day, while standing in line at the supermarket, I asked the clerk where
I might find the aspirin.  With a cheery smile in her voice, she informed me
that the aspirin was located "over there." With a weary sigh, I decided that
I would take the extra step that would unravel the mystery, which had vexed
my compatriots since the beginning of time.

Taking a deep breath, and attempting to look nonchalant, I smiled at the
clerk, "Where," I asked, "is over there?" I imagined the girl's shocked
expression.  I felt her sharing condescending and concerned looks with her
fellows in the store.  The silence grew palpable as they mulled the
possibility of allowing a blind person access to the forbidden land.  She
had no choice; she would have to tell me how to find "over there!" I had
won!
Exhilaration swept through me as I waited in breathless anticipation.  A
victorious smile crept to my lips, my hand tightened on the handle of
Shadow's harness, we would soon be going over there! The clerk's voice
reeked with resignation as the decision was made.  "That way." 
She said.

By: Cathy Anne Murtha