dagblog - Comments for "THE BLIND SHOOTING THE BLIND"

But in that case, it's the

MrSmith1 — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:37:36 +0000

In reply to Oh I can agree with that

But in that case, it's the umpire that's blind.

Oh I can agree with that

Richard Day — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:01:27 +0000

In reply to Representing the other side

Oh I can agree with that sentiment. But, three strikes and you're out. hahaha

Representing the other side

Verified Atheist — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:53:08 +0000

In reply to As the half-blind disabled

Representing the other side of Dick's coin, my former brother-in-law (who has no vision problems) also shot himself in the leg. One doesn't need to be blind to do stupid things, as my ex-brother-in-law has demonstrated on numerous occasions. If a blind person can pass the requirements for gun ownership, then I don't think they should have any less (or more) right to own one.

deft? I ain't deft, I hear

MrSmith1 — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:50:11 +0000

In reply to Epileptics are not supposed

deft? I ain't deft, I hear just fine. My sister has a mild form of epilepsy and as you mentioned, did have trouble getting a license. She finally got one and has been driving ever since, and has not had a seizure in years.

We're all disabled. Some of us are simply more aware of our disabilities. LOL

Epileptics are not supposed

Richard Day — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:49:24 +0000

In reply to As the half-blind disabled

Epileptics are not supposed to drive either unless they get a note from their physician that they are on medication and have not had a seizure over the past year or so and...

I don't drive, I do not have a car.

But I renew my DL when the DL tells me to so that I have a 'real' ID. ha

To some extent everyone is 'disabled'.

Human frailties account for 33,000 dead every year on our highways.

Booze and drugs and emotional 'issues' and a number of other variables contribute to over half of those deaths.

People who are not blind shoot themselves every year I suppose.

I was just struck by the individual/societal dichotomy which you summarize so deftly in one sentence.

As the half-blind disabled

MrSmith1 — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 15:31:30 +0000

In reply to THE BLIND SHOOTING THE BLIND

As the half-blind disabled guy in the room, I feel a need to respond. I lost the sight in my right eye from glaucoma induced by Prednisone a few years ago. I do not perceive light or forms in that eye. For me, the issue of driving had become moot long before that due to my Spondylitis, which fused my neck, making me unable to turn my head. I was told by some that I just needed to get big mirrors added to a car in order to be able to continue to drive, but I chose the other path; to stop driving by choice.

You raise an interesting question; what is the length society needs to go to, that allows someone with a disability the opportunity to overcome their adversity which also does not endanger themselves or others? A friend of my parents back in the 60's had a stroke and was paralyzed on one entire side of his body. He had to re-learn how to walk and speak and do everything using only the still functional side of his body. Eventually, he was able to re-apply for a driver's license with some stipulations about driving only cars with automatic transmissions and special mirrors, etc. Was it a good idea to have him driving? I know it sure scared people to see him get out of the car at the supermarket ...

While I think the disabled should have rights to do things even if they are difficult for them, the disabled have a responsibility to know when a challenging situation holds too many dangerous outcomes as possibilities and chose self-restraint as a wiser course of action. How do you deal with situations in which a disabled person refuses to do that? Good question. Let me ponder that for a while.