Letters & Reports Table Of Contents

 

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999

To: lettertoed@thestar.ca

From: Canadian Federation of the Blind

Subject: letter to the editor

 

Re:  George Gamester's article "Nick Lost His Sight but not His Vision",

Toronto Star, December 5

 

As a legally blind person, I am concerned about the damage this article

has done to the status of blind people.  Many blind men and women are

working hard to eliminate negative myths and stereotypes about blindness

and to tell the public about the positive achievements of blind people.

Comments like "blind and helpless", "a hopeless case eligible for a

disability pension" are harmful to blind Canadians.  Gamester depicts Nick

as a helpless victim whose only wish is to see.  This may be true of Nick,

but not of me.  Many of us live rich, full and productive lives as blind

people.  We have careers, go to school, have children, etc.

 

It was disturbing to learn that Nick discarded his white cane and ended

his Braille lessons once he gained a small amount of vision.  He has the

right to do so, of course, but to portray this as noble and independent is

the opposite of the truth.  The white cane facilitates independence.  Most

confident, successful blind people use a cane and are not ashamed of this

mobility tool.  The Canadian Federation of the Blind believes the white

cane is a symbol of equality, independence and pride.  Braille is a fast,

efficient script that allows blind people to read independently and achieve

true literacy--a basic right.

 

All blind people, including legally blind people, should be encouraged to

learn Braille and use a cane.  It is sad to witness blind people fumbling,

falling, bumping into things, refusing to use a cane, denying their

blindness.  It is sad to witness blind people straining to read print with

visual aids, when with the touch of their fingers the world of reading

could be theirs.  It is sad that some people are ashamed of their

blindness.  Nick can spend his life denying his blindness if he wants, but

I want you to know that many blind people are not ashamed of their

blindness.  We are proud to carry white canes, read Braille, and celebrate

the achievements of blind people.

 

Elizabeth Rotenburger,

Secretary,

Canadian Federation of the Blind