I agree with you totally Darrell, I didn't mean to say that life was
simplistic and black and white.
I am 100 percent in favor of helping the blind get equipment, education,
and opportunity. but I am not going to feel sorry for someone who not
only has equipment, experience getting grants, and advanced education, plus
a sighted assistant because he was not able to manage the work of this
assistant well.
We all have to take responsibility for our failures as much as we do for
our victories.
if we fail because we lack the adaptive equipment every blind individual
deserves, then the system has failed. but if we have the education, a job,
the equipment, plus sighted assistance, then I'm sorry. it was an
individual's mistake not social injustice.
A great person is not one who never fails, but one that learns with his/her
mistakes and moves on to be a better person.
Fernando
At 09:19 AM 11/20/97 -0700, you wrote:
>Greetings,
>
>In most cases, I do agree with you regarding the need to remain consistent
>on seeking equality for the blind. After all, if we say we are just as
>good as everyone else, we must be good examples of that statement. If we
>want equal job opportunities, we must be willing to do the work just as
>effectively as the sighted. It makes perfect sense.
>
>I must say, however, that this is not always possible, and some
>preferrential treatment is necessary in order for the blind to have a level
>playing field on which to achieve the same goals as the sighted.
>Additional support is required in most employment situations for the blind
>person to be able to perform the job. I just want people to remember this
>fact. In general, the standard of living for the blind is extremely low
>compared to that of the sighted, and we require additional support in order
>to change that fact. At 09:30 AM 11/20/97 -0800, you wrote:
>>We have to decide whether we want to be treated just like other citizens
>>under the law or if we want to be discriminated against.
>>
>>We cannot argue for equality when it comes to job opportunities and then
>>switch back to the
>>"I am a poor blind guy" attitude when the going gets tough.
>>
>>You are either treated equally or you are not, you cannot have it both ways
>>depending on convenience.
>>
>>The professor in question did a mistake and I feel sorry for him.
>>
>>But guess what... shit happens.
>>One learns with it and becomes more careful next time around.
>>
>>Fernando Botelho
>>
>
>
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