One cold reply
The answer you gave to “Livid in the Loop” was completely inappropriate and out of line (“One Burning Question,” May 3). When assisting someone on the street who is blind, it is never appropriate to grab that person. “Livid’s” proper response should have been to say, “Excuse me, but you are about to walk into traffic. May I assist you?” Think about it. How would you feel if someone grabbed you? We who are blind and travel independently appreciate that others want to help us. But we have as much of a right to our own space as anyone else and when we don’t need help, we don’t need help. When we do need help, we want our wishes respected as to how that help is provided. You further exacerbated your inappropriate comment by encouraging the so-called helper to bite the person in the ankle and scream “Rabid dog.” While you probably meant this tongue-in-cheek, a better response would have been to ask an agency like ours what the proper protocol for offering assistance is and print that.
Ray Campbell / Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
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Letter perfect
I’m delighted by Rick Kogan’s piece about Zeta and typewriters (Sidewalks, April 5). I have been a typewriter user for many years and have a portable, manual Olivetti — a Lettera 22 — given to me by my ex-husband. It belonged to his mom, so it is at least 50 years old. I’ve since purchased a newer Olivetti (portable, manual), but let’s face it, it’s not the same as my old machine. Maybe Independence Business Machines can repair it.
Martha Lavey / Steppenwolf Theatre Company
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