To Table of Contents proficient at Braille . I think that , along with the practical ability to read on your own , this very independent feeling helps you develop a strong sense of self and confidence in your abilities to learn and grow .
Also , don ’ t be afraid to ask for help , but only when you need it . Don ’ t be ashamed to accept that help . Everyone , whether they have a disability or not , requires help from other people to survive and get through life . This one may sound trite , but finish high school and go to college if you can . Don ’ t settle for something because someone else tells you you can ’ t do what you want . Your parents will be concerned about your safety , and they have a right to be , and it will be up to you to tell them and show them that you are a responsible , independent person . This is not easy but it will make all of you much happier . Speak up for yourself when you feel someone is misunderstanding you or underestimating you , but if you are angry , try to keep that in check ; explain logically and carefully why they are misunderstanding the situation . Finally and most importantly , advocate for yourself at every step of the way . NO one else will do it for you , even those who love you the most . They can certainly help you , but you must take the lead . There are many barriers out there and even if you fail to overcome one , there are other directions to go in and you can always be proud if you give it your best . Remain flexible , though , so you don ’ t get stuck .
You ’ ve traveled and written about your travel experiences from the perspective of a person with a disability . What are some of your most memorable , or perhaps , most surprising trips you ’ ve taken ? My wife is from Aruba , and I have been there and to the Caribbean many , many times . I have always been treated well even when it has scared my in-laws to see me go swimming by myself or to take a walk by myself . As my vision waned , though , I have asked for help and found that people are eager to provide it . People do not seem to be afraid to speak to me like they do sometimes here in the U . S . and are instead curious and direct . However , because the Americans with Disabilities Act that guarantees legal rights here in the US for us does not exist there , many areas are off limits for wheelchair users , and websites are often inaccessible for blind people who rely on screen reader software . That ’ s a problem here in the U . S ., but it is much bigger overseas .
In 2019 , I traveled to Ethiopia and Kenya and was disturbed because most people who thought they were helping me would grab my cane and try to pull me along with it , which is not helpful at all . Still , I found that if you treat people with respect , even when you correct them , you will be respected in turn . When you travel , remember those people are there to help you but they also have lives quite separate from their jobs .
The reason I was in Ethiopia was to attend a convention of the Africa Blind Forum . One night , all 400 attenees from countries all across Africa went to a huge restaurant run by the Ethiopia Cultural Ministry . We ate , sang and danced , and when I realized that I was sitting so far from home with so many accomplished blind people of every age and race , I was overcome with happiness . I also realized that the blind people who attended this conference were all people who had had to advocate fiercely for themselves to become educated , to break through social stigmas , to work , to beat the low expectations that society wanted to weigh them down with . And for every one of them , there were many more back home who had much success but were unable for all sorts of reasons to attend , and I felt sad about that and angry that so much was in their way .