From Katrina Wright, Atlanta, GA

A recent experience with a blindness organization has compelled me to speak out about a very important problem--the way people with disabilities treat each other. I was basically refused help in arranging a musical contribution for a fund-raising CD due to the fact that I don't have much money, though I do have talent. It seems to me that, when possible, we should be just as charitable toward one another as we expect sighted people to be toward us. I feel that it would be hypocritical to do otherwise.

One other issue I want to get some feedback on is the tendency of some blind people to group themselves according to visual acuity. I have witnessed this in various settings, from summer camps for blind children that I have attended to Lions World Services for the Blind, where I received training just last year.

What does that say about us? Do people of like visual acuity really have more in common? I don't think so. I think that in settings like Lions World Services, those with more sight can be valued above those with less, at least on a social level. Furthermore, I think that many people with more sight enjoy not being the "blind" ones in the group, something many often are in situations where most of the people present have 20/20 vision.

All blind people should learn to value and respect one another based upon such traits as character rather than visual acuity. In the end, we're all visually challenged to one degree or another, and we could all use true friendship and support.