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In Defense of Taking Photos (Even Though I Can't See Them)
Michelle Hackman
As I write this, I am watching my two-year-old nephew Ethan while my sister-in-law takes my niece to an ice skating class. Mostly, my nephew spends his time emptying his Lego basket or smashing cars together, but every so often, he does something truly worth documenting. Just this afternoon, one of those notable moments came when, upon discovering my mother's walking cane, he seized it and began parading around the house, banging it on the ground like a royal scepter. I…
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Personal Reflections
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Why Do People Fear the Blind?
On Saturday, the New York Times published a stunning essay by Rosemary Mahoney, a teacher at a school for the blind, entitled "Why Do We Fear the Blind?" She opens with a quandary seemingly absurd on its face, but one that we unsighted people know all too well:
A few years ago, when I mentioned to a woman I met at a party that I was teaching in a school for the blind, she seemed confused. "Can I just ask you one question?" she said. "How do you talk to your students?"
I explained that…
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In the News, Personal Reflections
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Introducing Myself: Michelle Hackman, AFB Intern
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Michelle Hackman, and for better or for worse, I will be a recurring presence on this blog for a year or so. Some of you might remember me (and kudos if you do!) as the 15-year-old button of an AFB intern five years ago who blogged about her existential struggles with Facebook accessibility or finding the Starbucks two blocks down the street. Though my love for Starbucks has in no way abated, I've otherwise matured a bit since then, and hope to use…
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Personal Reflections
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