Blind from birth, I have never had the opportunity to see myself and have been completely dependent on the image I create in the eyes of others．
There are those who 16 that since I can't see, I obviously also cannot 17 . Very often people will talk with me at the top of their voices．Contrary to this, people will also often 18 , believing that since my eyes don't work, my ears don't either．For example, when I go to the airport and ask the ticket agent for 19 to the plane, he or she will always pick up the phone and call a ground hostess
in a very low voice．“Hi, Jane, we've got a 76 here.” I have concluded that the word “ 20 ” is not used because they are unwilling to inform me of my condition of which I may not have been previously 21 ．
On the other hand, others know that of course I can hear, but believe that I can't talk. Once I became ill and was hospitalized. Immediately after I was 22 , I was wheeled down to the X - ray room．Just at the door an elderly woman (judging from her voice) asked the orderly (护工) who had been wheeling me: “What is his name?” “What’s your name?” the orderly 23 to me. “Harold Krents”, I replied. “Harold Krents”, he repeated．“When was he born?”“When were you born?”…This continued for about five minutes before I finally interrupted, “Look, this is absolutely 24 . OK, I can't see, but it's got to become pretty 25 to both of you that I don't need an interpreter.” “He says he doesn't need an interpreter,” the orderly repeated to the woman．
The 26 misunderstanding of all is the view that because I can't see, I can't 27 ．
I was turned down by over forty law firms， 28 my qualifications included a degree and a good ranking from Harvard Law School．The 29 to find jobs, the continuous 30 of being told that it was impossible for a blind person to 31 law, the rejection letter, not based on my lack of 32 but rather on my disability, will always remain one of the most upsetting experiences of my life．
33 ，the Department of Labor issued laws that demand equal 34 opportunities for the disabled. The business community's response has been 35 . The attitude towards the disabled is beginning to change.
16. A. assume B. observe C. approve D. propose
17. A. hear B. talk C. feel D. care
18. A. shout B. laugh C. whisper D. cry
19. A. welcome B. permission C. advice D. assistance
20. A. passenger B. blind C. trouble D. situation
21. A. afraid B. aware C. curious D. desperate
22. A. invited B. released C. included D. admitted
23. A. asked B. responded C. repeated D. exchanged
24. A. cheerful B. ridiculous C. charming D. disgusting
25. A. clear B. easy C. confusing D. doubtful
26. A. earliest B. slightest C. latest D. toughest
27. A. think B. study C. work D. understand
28. A. as if B. even though C. now that D. in case
29. A. attempt B. opportunity C. mistake D. success
30. A. disappointment B. relief C. envy D. effort
31. A. disobey B. challenge C. practice D. make
32. A. confidence B. luck C. ability D. ambition
33. A. Regretfully B. Deliberately C. Exactly D. Fortunately
34. A. medication B. employment C. learning D. traveling
35. A. enthusiastic B. passive C. negative D. uncertain