February 2007 Issue

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From Lucia Marett, New York, NY:

I wish to set the record straight about this U.S. currency debate, as many blind people feel currency should be identifiable by touch, (notches, raised dots,or differently textured bills). Those who dispute the issue, saying that modifying the environment will make sighted people believe that blind people are incapable, had better let the silent cars do their thing. Modifications also can be helpful to sighted people and are, therefore, not just for the blind. Of the two organizations that claim to be advocates for blind people, neither truly represents blind people.

From Mary Emerson, San Jose, CA:

In response to David Faucheux's letter in January's Readers Forum, there is an e-mail discussion list for people interested in the Optacon. Not only are users part of the group, but also those who repair the machines and others interested in the device. It is a low-traffic list, but we support one another and encourage people to discover and share innovative ways to use the Optacon.

One of the things that has helped keep the Optacon alive is the enthusiasm of Optacon users and the unique uses they find for it. Also, a survey is being distributed to help us gather information about how people currently use the Optacon and what would enhance its use if it could be reconstructed with current technology. I converted the R1D and Optacon II documentation to electronic (plain text) files, which helped at least one new user learn to read with the device. To join the list, anyone can send a blank message to optacon-I-request@freelists.org with only the word subscribe on the subject line.

From Morton Schlein, New York, NY:

Mike Lantz wondered in January's Readers Forum if Lincoln Adair is still around. He is, and lives on the Lower East Side of New York. Mr. Adair, who is in fairly good health, was delighted to talk about the incident at Camp Wapanacki described in my November letter. He hadn't thought about it since 1945.

From Cynthia Groopman, Long Island City, NY:

Election Day, Thanksgiving and Veterans Day are all connected in a very important way. If it weren't for our veterans, we would not have the freedom to vote and to have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. By fighting, soldiers are protecting our freedom and making our world safe for democracy and free
of tyranny.

Thanksgiving is every day. We thank God every morning upon rising for our physical
functions, for creation, and for everything we eat and drink. It was a wonderful idea of the Pilgrims to set aside a day a year for Thanksgiving. But now it has become a day for turkey and parades.

Even Veterans Day is not as hallowed as it used to be, and Election Day is sometimes a day when apathy is demonstrated.

We must take the commercialization out of these November days and teach our children
as well as adults their true significance.

It's the same with Christmas and Hanukkah. People commercialize Christmas from the end of November. Tree lightings and the sale of ornaments, cards and gifts neglect the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas should be about Christ, peace, loving and giving.

The significance of Hanukkah is based on the miracle of oil that lasted for eight days and the victory of the Maccabis over their oppressors. These events 2,000 years ago--not playing with tops and dreidels and giving gifts--show God's presence in our world. Our sacred days are about historical events and should be commemorated as such.

From Mira Wilson, Calgary, Canada:

The article, Animal Ambulances, in November was a fascinating read about animals transporting the wounded from battlefields to safety and medical attention. It was in the back of my mind that many animals must have lost their lives in these
heroic endeavors. And indeed, that was stated at the end of the article. It's wonderful that there finally is a monument in New York City to honor the animals' contribution.

I had not known that camels could drink as much as 21 gallons of water to replenish their internal water supply.

I also appreciated the November article, Genius Junk Food, about misperceptions about
some foods. While I'd heard of some of them previously, I definitely had not known that pork rinds actually are good for you. That was a pleasant surprise!

Thank you also for the article, Three Ships and the New World, about commemorating
the Jamestown settlement and the journey on a replica of the Godspeed.

In November's Readers Forum, I empathize with the anonymous reader who wrote about
someone going to great lengths to acquire her personal information. These days we sure do need to be diligent about safeguarding our privacy. I hope the problem has been resolved and this reader feels safe again.

I also appreciated Paul Van Dyck's letter about his knowledge of broadcasting. This field sure has changed since I studied journalism. I consider myself fickle when it comes to listening to radio. It's not what I listen to, but more how long. The content presentation is crucial.

Mr. Van Dyck's letter--which was intended to help a reader who had difficulty getting
into broadcasting--was probably well received by others too. Broadcasting is a highly competitive field, even for those without a disability. We fickle listeners will probably help to keep it that way.

From Joseclaudio Santana, Tenerife, Canary Islands:

I am concerned about the opinion expressed by a reader in California in November's Readers Forum. He advised a husband to leave his wife because she had become addicted to chat lines. This opinion is dangerously extended nowadays and should be counteracted.

Why should that worried husband who is dealing with his wife's addiction to
long-distance communication leave her and relocate? Don't we realize the thousand
inconveniences, trouble for both partners and their children, stupid and hateful quarreling, and greed over economic matters that a traumatic divorce can cause? Should this addicted wife not be given an opportunity to rehabilitate herself, and to look for medical, family and many other kinds of support?

I suggest that we do not become divorce promoters or pay too much attention to those
who try to persuade couples to break up their marriages. There is too much pain, discomfort, hatred, upheaval for children, and real drama, which is hidden by those optimists who hold out the false, ridiculous, sometimes ill- intentioned conviction that divorce is a solution. Let's take care of our partners and seek non-traumatic solutions to our problems. Certainly there are many unexplored ones.

From John Forster, Floral Park, NY:

In regard to celebrating Christmas, I think that we should not give up anything about the holy day in the Christian calendar just because a tiny minority--less than 10 percent of Americans-- object to the use of Christ's name in the season we celebrate as His birthday. For the same reason, I also reject the idea of removing the U.S. motto from our currency, as discussed in December's article, `In God We Trust' Has Been U.S. Motto for 50 Years. The motto should be displayed in every classroom in the country, even in private schools that receive any government assistance.

I also want to comment on the privatization of aid to disabled people. In the Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals system, I am in favor of the status quo. Following World War II, the Blinded Veterans Association of the United States was instrumental in getting the VA to establish blind rehabilitation centers in some VA hospitals. Today this is a flourishing program in at least 15 VA hospitals throughout the country. It is a credit to the people who had the foresight to plan for assisting those veterans who, on their return or in later years, lose all or part
of their sight.

So I say, God bless the VA programs. I don't believe any private organization could
administer such an extensive and worthwhile program for veterans. I have on three occasions been able to take advantage of these rehabilitation services, which have made my life more meaningful and productive.

From Jasmine Parrish, Teheran, Iran:

You cannot understand how difficult it is to be a Christian and live in an Islamic country with a rigid mindset. We Christians have to celebrate Christmas or Easter inside our homes and be cautious that nobody notices. If anyone notices and reports on us, we'd be in jail and finally be executed.

Last year I criticized people with disabilities in America for complaining all the time despite having plenty of welfare services. My letter was published in Readers Forum in March,but some of your readers wrote disagreeing with me. They thought the services in the United States were not enough, and that blind people deserve much more. Probably they are right. But when you don't have enough assistive equipment and, in addition, don't even have the right to observe your own religion, how can you tolerate all these frustrations and be thankful?

When I review the 2006 issues of the Ziegler Magazine, I see how much I have learned
and to what extent it has developed my cultural, social and educational attitudes. I owe all this information to the editor and the Ziegler staff. I wish the most successful year for everyone, including also the readers. I would like to ask all the Ziegler readers to pray for Christians in Iran and for the freedom for each of us to choose his or her beliefs.

From Mary Brunoli, Hartford, CT:

Some friends advised me to send my poem to you. I hope it will be worthy of the Ziegler.
Louis Braille: A Man Ahead of His Time
For years many heroes of the world
In sciences and art
Are unsung, as is Louis Braille,
Whose story captures the heart.
In France he was born in 1809
In a harness maker's abode;
At three, a sharp instrument pierced his eye
As he followed his father's road.


At five, both his eyes were completely closed;
At 10, it was school for the blind;
His intellect made him a teacher at school
Where his teachings were gentle and kind.
In school he progressed in all of his grades,
And the organ paid much of his wage;
His invention of dots, his students he taught,
Which gave those with sight jealous rage.


The school where he taught was unhealthy and damp,
Where chronic disease took its toll;
Young Louis received an infection,
Though strong, it did not keep him from his goal.
Long hours he worked with much tiring skill
At inventions from his fertile brain:
A matrix printer prototype,
And many dot books--all in vain.


The school director burned all those books
To add to young Louis' rebuff;
But patiently starting all over again,
He bore this experience tough.
Tuberculosis took his life
At the age of 43;
But of all his work the gift he gave
Was the precious legacy.


From ignorance and poverty
He set the blind folks free,
As he changed the course of history
With the gift of LITERACY.
Inventor, teacher, musician, and more.
Let all the happy bells chime
For the generous genius named Louis Braille--
A man ahead of his time.