tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post115014989980561833..comments2024-01-26T10:20:37.836+00:00Comments on Diary of a Goldfish: A little tale for SallyThe Goldfishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15213378454070776331noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150289991365114572006-06-14T13:59:00.000+01:002006-06-14T13:59:00.000+01:00I just don't understand how some people's minds wo...I just don't understand how some people's minds work. As I am not disabled I do not get any verbal abuse apart from things like "Did you win your driving liscense in a lottery?!" or that like. But as soon as I am out and about with disabled friends and/or colleagues no one seems to consider the possibility that not everyone of that group is disabled. When I am talking in Sign Language to others, everyone around seems to assume that I am deaf as well and therefore comment on our signing and make remarks about deafness in general in a very loud voice. "They can't hear it anyway, can they?" I would never and have never pretended to be deaf, when being approached directly, but I never know what to do in such cases. Should I say something or not? <BR/>This was the worst that ever happened to me: We were sitting in a restaurant, another interpreter, my husband and me (all three non disabled) plus two deaf people, a person in a wheelchair and someone who is blind. The other interpreter was chatting with the deaf friends in sign language and therefore looked deaf herself. The blind person had leaned his white cane to my husband's chair, so everyone obviously thought he must be blind as well. I was the only "problem" to those observing us. And a man from the next table actually got up, walked over to us and asked me:"Excuse me, but we have been wondering what's WRONG with you?" I just wished for the floor to open and swallow me up. The blind person at our table put on a big grin and said "Well, if this is the table for everyone who has got something "WRONG" with him- or herself, you should definitly take your chair and join us!" He was called impolite after that.BloggingMonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17767164739217269193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150284397875013002006-06-14T12:26:00.000+01:002006-06-14T12:26:00.000+01:00It is curious, isn't it? I mean, I don't think I h...It is curious, isn't it? I mean, I don't think I have ever been verbally abusive to any strangers. I have been a little short with folks phoning up to sell me stuff, but only when courteous disinterest doesn't get them off the phone.<BR/><BR/>Glad you're feeling happier about it, Sally. :-)The Goldfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15213378454070776331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150228127235273522006-06-13T20:48:00.000+01:002006-06-13T20:48:00.000+01:00Dearest Goldfish, thank you, thank you. Your comm...Dearest Goldfish, thank you, thank you. Your comments on my 'Hiccups' and your following post did warm the cockles and made me chuckle. Goths are often sweet things in my limited experience too. AJ ... the pictures your blog conjured up ... wonderful ! And all the following comments to your post ... its knowing that it is not just me, and that fellow crips care, that transforms an isolating and negative event, into an important stage of the journey. <BR/>I hope for everyone that abuse received is a rare experience. <BR/>Thank you bloggers all.Sallyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08223682934383856392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150195023946689932006-06-13T11:37:00.000+01:002006-06-13T11:37:00.000+01:00I'm not in a wheelchair but i had to chuckle when ...I'm not in a wheelchair but i had to chuckle when i read what you wrote about AJ. You see, my OH has a friend, lets call him Dave, who is very similar in personality - both geeks, sys admins, like to dress in combat boots, camoflauge trousers, black tshirts, black leather jackets. It seems to be the sys admin uniform (either that or black jeans). OH is about 6 ft, which is okay, but Dave is even taller, about 6 ft 4, and his hair is shaven at the sides, dreads growing from the top, and a lovely sort of beard which wiggles with his chin. In reality he's incredibly gentle, wouldn't hurt a soul (unless they threatened someone he cares about) but... when myself and Dave's OH are walking behind Dave and my OH in a crowd, its like magic... *laughs*.. moses and the parting of the red sea had nothin on my OH and Dave!!!<BR/><BR/>keth<BR/>xxkethryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02554372971928433781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150185677151509182006-06-13T09:01:00.000+01:002006-06-13T09:01:00.000+01:00The worst bit for me is if I'm sitting in my chair...The worst bit for me is if I'm sitting in my chair in a shopping mall, "parked up" and alone while whoever's with me is attending to other matters (getting the car or going to the loo or looking in a shop that's too crowded for me or whatever). I always get more stares then.<BR/><BR/>The stares isn't the problem. It's the fact my walking stick is on the chair and every so often I'm tempted to start POKING these open-mouthed people with it...Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11639094548415759560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150183878155283692006-06-13T08:31:00.000+01:002006-06-13T08:31:00.000+01:00Great post! Lovely start to the day.I've never be...Great post! Lovely start to the day.<BR/><BR/>I've never been abused openly though there have been the odd stare or whispered comment when I wobble; people usually assume I'm drunk, I think.<BR/><BR/>I remember shaking a tin for charity once; all these rich middle-class types with trollies full of booze and designer ready-meals ignoring us and the only ones who put money in were obvious OAPs and one little Goth.<BR/><BR/>I've always had a soft spot for Goths ever since.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150180140090309382006-06-13T07:29:00.000+01:002006-06-13T07:29:00.000+01:00I can just see the headlines now(Sun):Man Rapiered...I can just see the headlines now(Sun):<BR/>Man Rapiered In Whitby!<BR/><BR/>No?<BR/><BR/>Okay I'll épée off;-)petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11162001029968518442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150179006874672622006-06-13T07:10:00.000+01:002006-06-13T07:10:00.000+01:00I was once verbally abused by a couple of blokes i...I was once verbally abused by a couple of blokes in a pub, they called me all kinds of expressive and wonderous names that reminded me that I was mobility impaired ( I was glad of it, for I had temporarily forgotten).<BR/><BR/>Personally it was water off a ducks back as I got all kinds of name calling at school, but my mate was so angry he wanted to hit them. It was quite an odd scene. There was me trying to talk someone out of hitting someone else for calling me names!! Thankfully I suceeded and there was no violence.marmiteboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06727386811098683743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150165211911771022006-06-13T03:20:00.000+01:002006-06-13T03:20:00.000+01:00Man, I wish I'd had a sword in my vertical days. ...Man, I wish I'd had a sword in my vertical days. :)<BR/><BR/>Then, maybe I could have intimidated the homeless guys that used to approach me on the way to work and ask really inappropriate questions...imfunnytoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12942406430628029505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10557263.post-1150162844669267762006-06-13T02:40:00.000+01:002006-06-13T02:40:00.000+01:00I like being surprised by people. I try very hard...I like being surprised by people. I try very hard not to make assumptions but it can be difficult... when a moment of surprise is still fresh in your mind it can be easier to be aware of, and question, your own assumptions.<BR/><BR/>I imagine the person having a go at AJ experienced a healthy moment of surprise as well.eclectechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09296986021240434125noreply@blogger.com