From: "Christine M. Faltz" 
Subject: call for discussion -- h*lp!
I am president of the local POBC division.  The parents for the most part
try hard to distance themselves from a good deal of Federation philosophy
-- braille for all blind children; they think it's just fine to take
advantage of discounts and going to the front of the line at amusement
parks; etc.  
Just tonight, I was told by the former president (sighted) that nother
parent had sid that I alienate parents with kids who are 'not really
blind, but visually impaired' by always using the word blind for all the
kids.  Needless to say, this is insulting to me as a blind person and
there are the usual implications: what subtle and explicit messages does
this send to her child?  What does it say for her ttitude toward me and
other blind people?  What does it say about her inability to even address
the topic wityh me?  And most importantly, how should I address it?
I am increasingly frustrated with this group.  
Theydon't wnt to work to change entrenched agency problems becaus they
don't wnt to make waves.  Theysugar-coat problems the blind community has
with the agencies and spend more time and effort on our social gtherings
than instilling positive attitudes and high expectations in their
children, and they seem to prefer to address their concerns to the sighted
parents.  I worry tht perhaps I am being too soft on them, then think
perhps I'm alienating them because theyneed a slower evolution toward a
positive hilosophy.  I am concerned tht even though I attempt always to be
diplomtic, my annoyance, frustration, and yes, anger is coming through.
Many of these parents hve made truly elitiest remarks toward the prents of
totally blind kids; they seem to be bent on n "us and them' mentality.
Suggestions are greatly needed. 
Christine
---
---------------