January 2007 Issue

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From Jean Mann, Guilderland, NY:

I had to laugh at Mort Schlein's story in November's Readers Forum. What a good joke! Unfortunately, I don't think a camp would try to pull off one like that today.

I also attended Camp Wapanacki for three summers as a teenager and six weeklong sessions as an adult. By the time I arrived, we had bunkbeds with mattresses and sheets, although I always used my sleeping bag.

I run into people all the time at ACB state and national conventions who spent summers at Wapanacki, and most of us loved it. Some of our happiest memories are times we spent there, hiking into town, climbing Mount Mansfield, sleeping out under the stars, boating, singing, cooking over an open fire.

When I was there, the camp was divided into two Indian tribes, the Algonquins and the Iroquois. We had tribal competitions and cabin competitions, with winners announced at the banquet on the last night. I always hated to go home.

The adult sessions were like going to a resort for a week. The staff members were there to assist us in whatever we wanted to do. I thought of those weeks as my retreats away from work and my everyday obligations and responsibilities.

Alas, Camp Wapanacki was sold to the Girl Scouts in the early 1990's. I just learned that it's still called Camp Wapanacki, although I'm sure it's changed a great deal since we were there.

From a reader in Oklahoma:

The reader in California who wrote about online dating services in November's Readers Forum was obviously chicken. The spice of life is meeting people, whether or not you are dating. Sure, this is a sick society, but cooping ourselves up at home with pen pals and phone pals is not dealing with it in person. Remember, a sighted person has all these other choices; computer dating is a last resort. Are blind people with normal hearing not able to fit in with church fellowship singles? Almost every city has organized singles group activities. Although we cannot see people smile or tell how they are dressed or know their race, why can't a blind person go to a singles group and socialize? It's not easy, but we are competing with the sighted majority. Give it a chance, singles, and don't cry about computer dating services. Everyone uses them.

From Mike Lantz, Miami Beach, FL:

I would like first to thank Paul Van Dyck for his letter in November's Readers Forum, in response to my September letter about discrimination against blind people trying to enter radio. He urged me not to give up. I am, in fact, still trying to get into either broadcasting or public relations. He asked me if I could read news, weather and sports announcements in braille. Braille is the only thing I do read.

Mr. Van Dyck also suggested I should create a program and go out and sell it to sponsors myself. I don't want to do that because it's very hard to get around Dade County, even though special transportation and buses are available. I would rather do my own talk show, and I am still trying to do that. I believe a blind person can make it in broadcasting, although it is very difficult.

In response to Mort Schlein's memories of Camp Wapanacki in the 1940's--also in the November issue of the Ziegler--I was there in 1964. Back then I didn't care for it very much, but I guess if I were to go there today, I would appreciate it a lot more. I do have some interesting memories--for instance, how we would go into town with our week's allowance to sit and drink sodas. We also would go into a record shop. At that time there were a lot of Beatles records, and we went into a place where they played a juke box. At night, I would listen to WPTR, a rock station in Albany, NY. To get to sleep, I listened to WQXR 1560 in New York. Dr. Franton was then one of the directors of the camp. Other staff were Ms. Lincoln, Mr. George, Mr. Spalding, Mr. Kibby and Mr. McKay. I wonder if Lincoln Adair or any of the others who worked at the camp are still living.

Karen Clark, Raleigh, NC:

In response to Jake Joehl's letter in September's Ziegler, I agree that the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and American Council of the Blind (ACB) need to work together. How sad that we lost the benefits we could have gained from being included (as deaf people were) in the Americans with Disabilities Act because of the dissent between these organizations of blind people.

I would like to see ACB and NFB reach the next level of maturity and work together for the empowerment of all people who are blind.

From Vince Blaise, Phoenix, AZ:

When I first read Beth Terranova's letter in August's Readers Forum objecting to my "Liberation Day" letter in June, I started laughing. My letter, written for Father's Day, said I was happy that my daughter Aria was 18 and could leave home. It was meant as a joke.

For the record, I adore both my daughters. They are my pride and joy. If I could, I'd love to have them around me forever. But for some reason, a small voice calls them to be out on their own. The evidence shows I'm not pushing them out.

Only a parent can understand the frustrations associated with child-rearing. I know there are some childless psychologists who write books on the subject. It makes me wonder what they would say if they had children.

What makes me sad is that we have too many people in this world with no sense of humor. We should all be able to laugh at ourselves and our circumstances. If I had no sense of humor, I don't think I would have been married for 25 years. I'm not anti-family--but I gave my oldest daughter on her 18th birthday a book of apartment rentals. She got a big kick out of it. I don't want to see my daughters go. They are my beloved tax deductions. Sorry--more humor!

From Theresa Chan, Singapore:

Whenever I see a letter in Readers Forum from an American who does not like that overseas readers ask for donations of assistive technology, or from an overseas reader who complains that it is unfair that wealthy nations do not help people overseas, I am uncertain what to say. One wrong word can hurt someone. Please do not be offended or hurt, but I would like to speak my mind.

To Americans, I would say it's wholly true that in developing countries, nearly everyone with a disability is suffering because of the lack of useful items or devices. Most cannot afford them for such reasons as poverty, lack of public help, and governments who are unable to help so many. It's also true that some people tell lies, collect items as gifts, then sell them to get money. When possible, donate such used items as books, magazines, braille products and unwanted computers to agencies who send them overseas. Just be kind and give to those in need. God will bless you.

To disabled people overseas, please listen! America is a wealthy country, but you are misled if you believe that all Americans are rich. Some are unemployed, poor and homeless. You must realize that America is not just people with disabilities, and Americans with disabilities are not America--they are just like me and you, human beings. Unless our families are rich, we all have to earn our living. There are people with disabilities who are unemployed and poor in the United States and around the world. So, please do not say that Americans are so rich that they should help those who are needy. That is unfair. The American government may be rich, but people with disabilities are not.
My advice to both sides is to be honest, sincere, happy and kind to each other.

From David Faucheux, Lafayette, LA:

I am responding to David Glagola's letter in Readers Forum last May about the decision by Telesensory Systems to discontinue making the Optacon optical converter. The Optacon seems to be invaluable. Some of my blind friends are worried lest theirs should collapse. Judy Dixon, the consumer representative at the National Library Service, wrote an article several years ago for the Braille Monitor about low-tech solutions that still work, mentioning the Optacon. I just wish they had used a refreshable pin system, instead of those buzzing, noisy pins. I can see a use for the Optacon, but suspect it is nearly moribund.

I'm glad Michael Mellor took on the job of writing Louis Braille's biography. The Acadiana Area Council of the Blind has purchased a print copy of the book and donated it to the Lafayette Parish Public Library. I wonder if Louis Braille: The Movie will ever appear?

In response to the Special Notice about cruises in July, I e-mailed the cruise operator, who told me about a neat cruise to Barbados, St. Martin and Martinique. But friends urged me not to go for safety reasons. Sighted friends told me they could not imagine how one would ever get around the labyrinthine corridors on a cruise ship, and none offered to go with me--story of my life!

I may travel to Illinois instead, partly by train. I think we really lost something when we tossed out our train system and let everything go by air. Now we spend as much time getting to and being processed in horrendous airports as we do flying in the cramped, unsanitary aluminum cylinders. To get a modicum of service, one has to call ahead days early and then recheck and recheck and hope the moron of the day at the airport can help you and your guide dog.

I read with interest and concern Timothy Nduka's letter in August's Readers Forum. Nigeria's oil revenues could be apportioned to cover equipment for blind users. I think of all the older, DOS-based equipment that lies rotting away in state warehouses in the United States. Surely, some of that could be offered to blind organizations in need abroad? It wouldn't be the limousine version, but sometimes skateboards work well, too.

I liked the September issue of the Ziegler, especially the article about microchips. But they had better make the chips a lot better before I have any put in my brain. I am so scared of computer things, having experienced many glitches, that I don't want any chips in my poor head. But if others are the guinea pigs, I'll think about it.

From Bob Schwamlein, Kenosha, WI:

The pneumonia shot your doctor may give you will not prevent you from getting pneumonia. It is only for the killer pneumonia.

If you have had a laryngectomy and need oxygen, the paramedics may not realize that they need to put the oxygen near the throat, not over your mouth. Also, if you have special openings that need cleaning, the nurses at a hospital may not always know how to handle them.

In short, don't count on the medical profession knowing everything about how to treat your particular condition.

From Arnold Auch, Sioux Falls, SD:

I have been a reader of the Ziegler for many years, even when it was rolled up and mailed. I liked to read it to my wife during the years she was so ill. Her name was Jeanette Elizabeth Andrews Auch, but she was better known as Betty. Betty was sighted, and came from Hopedale, MA. She graduated from Mount Holyoke in 1948.

Betty and I met in 1948 when we were members of the Harvard Perkins training class. Betty taught at Perkins School for the Blind for five years and for two years in the South Dakota School for the Blind at Gary. That was during the height of the rubella scare. She also taught in the Sioux Falls School for the Blind for four years. We were married in 1951. We have two sons: David is a doctor of medicine, and Roger is a geographer at EROS.

Many people who are visually impaired know Betty. Eight years ago she contracted ovarian cancer, and she died Sept. 7, 2006. Betty's favorite people were kindergartners who were blind. We all miss her.