| When you first meet someone who is blind,
| |
| | Instead, find out what equipment or
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| deaf, or in a wheelchair, what is your
| |
| | techniques he uses in his job and at
|
| initial reaction? Curiosity? Sympathy?
| |
| | home, how he gets around town, how does
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| Awkwardness? If you experience any of
| |
| | Braille work, etc.3. Offer assistance
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| these emotions, you are not alone.
| |
| | when necessary. You see a woman in a
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| Chances are you don't regularly associate
| |
| | wheelchair having trouble entering a
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| with someone who is disabled, so these
| |
| | building or negotiating steps. You'd
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| feelings are quite common.Having been
| |
| | like to help, but don't want to embarrass
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| blind since birth, I have encountered a
| |
| | her. What should you do?It's usually
|
| wide range of reactions, from curious
| |
| | appropriate to lend a hand if someone is
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| stares when i walk down the street with a
| |
| | having obvious difficulty, but keep in
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| cane or holding someone's arm, to
| |
| | mind that not everyone will be willing to
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| amazement at being able to feed and dress
| |
| | accept your help. It's not much
|
| myself. Most people don't intend to be
| |
| | different than pulling over and offering
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| rude or insensitive, but just aren't sure
| |
| | assistance to a motorist with a flat
|
| what to expect. Here are four points to
| |
| | tire. Unless the woman in the wheelchair
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| keep in mind if you should happen to meet
| |
| | is in danger, it isn't necessary to press
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| a disabled person.1. Disabled people can
| |
| | the issue if they refuse your help. You
|
| lead active lives. With few exceptions,
| |
| | did your part.4. Remember that we all
|
| a disability does not prevent someone
| |
| | have obstacles to overcome. No matter
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| from working, raising a family, or taking
| |
| | who we are, each of us has a weakness or
|
| part in social activities. Many sports
| |
| | challenge to face. How do you feel when
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| and recreation programs have been adapted
| |
| | you are treated differently for being
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| to accommodate a person with a
| |
| | bald, short, or heavyset? Like you, a
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| disability, including baseball, golf,
| |
| | disabled person would much rather be
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| water skiing, biking, and swimming.
| |
| | accepted for who they are, rather than be
|
| Instead of concentrating on the
| |
| | pitied or shunned because of a
|
| disability, look at the person the same
| |
| | disability. Many friends and colleagues
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| way you would any other acquaintance.2.
| |
| | have said to me, "I often forget that you
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| It's all right to ask questions. Many
| |
| | are blind." To me, that is the ultimate
|
| people are afraid of offending someone by
| |
| | compliment.Meeting someone with a
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| asking about their disability. When
| |
| | disability doesn't have to be an
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| meeting anyone for the first time, it's
| |
| | intimidating experience. Asking
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| natural to be curious about who they are,
| |
| | questions, offering assistance, and
|
| where they're from, and what they do for
| |
| | putting yourself in their shoes can go a
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| a living.The same is true for a disabled
| |
| | long way toward recognizing them as
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| person. Asking questions is usually
| |
| | people with normal thoughts and feelings
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| acceptable, as long as you use common
| |
| | who just happen to have a disability.
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| sense. Don't, for example, ask a blind
| |
| | Who knows? You might make some new
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| person how he feeds and bathes himself.
| |
| | friends in the process.
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