[Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new

Bryan Schulz b.schulz at sbcglobal.net
Mon Mar 5 21:23:14 CST 2007 

hi,

no, i wasn't referring to you and it sounds like you're coming up with some 
good ideas.
the hardest part of getting a job is getting past the ignorant person doing 
the interview.
bryan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jaber37837 at cox.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new


> I've got a lot of things started; I'm waiting for the state to give me the
> funding to move out, I go to some church functions when I get up the nerve
> to ask, and then there's the NFB meetings and my counseling appointments.
> those are only once a month though, so for the rest of the month, I'm 
> stuck
> in the house. I tried finding something to do. I called a bunch of places
> asking for volunteer work, but they told me I couldn't volunteer unless I
> had someone with me; they don't want to be liable for someone like me 
> who's
> not an employee.
>
> So I'm just saying that I've tried; I haven't been sitting around having a
> pitty-part everyday. I even tried the Lion's Club-there's no bus service 
> at
> 7:00 PM and my parents won't help me out.
>
> The darn tickets for the bus are too expensive anyway.
>
> Jen
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 6:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>
>
>> Jen,
>>
>> I really don't have an answer to your situation.  I feel very sad for you
>> and wish there was something I could do to help.  The only thing I do
>> know,
>> for sure, is that, as long as you find reasons why you can't learn to get
>> around; as long as you spend time feeling badly for yourself and convince
>> yourself that no one can help you; as long as you don't trust anyone and
>> put
>> up walls of reasons,...all saying "I can't", you're not going to progress
>> farther than you are now.
>>
>> I know it isn't easy.  You're depressed, and depression is a real thing.
>> I'm not a psychologist or psychiatrist, so I can't tell you how to get
>> yourself out of your depression.  But, I do know, from life experience, 
>> if
>> you don't take the first step to try to change your own attitude to one
>> which says "I can", you will always be where you are.  For that, I'm 
>> sorry
>> and I do hope that you'll try to reach out and allow someone to help you.
>>
>> You say you go to NFB chapter meetings.  Is there someone there who could
>> help to find someone to teach you the skills you need to get yourself out
>> of
>> your room?  You also mentioned church.  It's not fun to feel like you're 
>> a
>> burden on someone.  But, you also said you think the people at your 
>> church
>> would be willing to help you get there.  Maybe you should ask for the 
>> help
>> to get to church.  Maybe, once you get there, you'll find a group or
>> activity which interests you and you'll be able to start to make friends
>> and
>> get yourself involved in something, outside your home.
>>
>> I know it's often hard to know what to do to help yourself.  But, this is
>> where other people...NFB members, members of your church, can help to get
>> you out there and find the assistance you need.  You just need to ask.
>>
>> Cindy
>>
>> The more time you spend at home, just thinking about yourself and your
>> situation, the harder it will be to pull yourself out of the place you 
>> are
>> right now.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: <jaber37837 at cox.net>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 4:16 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>
>>
>> Thanks Cindy, but I've had someone help me with the cane. Her suggestion
>> was
>> that I get a chair with a one-armed geer on it. I did that, but it 
>> doesn't
>> help-I almost broke my hand trying to use it. I live in Rhode Island 
>> where
>> the services are really crummy. I've tried using the cane, but there's
>> always the anxiety of going the wrong way, which happens more often then
>> not; also For reasons I won't get into here, I don't trust anyone I don't
>> know, so asking someone for help is not something I will do unless I know
>> the person. I can't get an electric chair because it's too heavy to put 
>> in
>> the car if I go somewhere in the car with someone (it's hard enough to 
>> get
>> someone to take me out somewhere with the regular chair), and it's too
>> expensive to be taking the bus all the time.
>>
>> I know, all this sounds like fixable excuses...it's just all too much.
>>
>> I don't expect anyone to understand...nobody does.
>>
>> I go to church every week, but I've got to ask someone from church to 
>> pick
>> me up because there's no bus service on Sundays where I live and even if
>> there were, the bus doesn't go to that area. I just feel like a total
>> burden
>> to everybody there, even though I know most of them would be more than
>> willing to pick me up to go to a dance or dinner or something.
>>
>> Anyway...
>>
>> Jen
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:48 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>
>>
>>> Jen,
>>>
>>> Have you ever considered that you might need some help in learning to 
>>> use
>>> a
>>> cane or dog with your wheelchair?  If you had that instruction, maybe 
>>> you
>>> wouldn't feel so anxious and it would enable you to get out of your 
>>> house
>>> more often.What state do you live in?  Maybe someone on the list knows 
>>> of
>>> an
>>> instructor who could help you with this.
>>>
>>> Cindy
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: <jaber37837 at cox.net>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 3:31 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>>
>>>
>>> Well, I can't go anywhere because I can't see where I'm going. I'm in a
>>> wheelchair as well, so it's very difficult for me to use the cane to get
>>> where I've got to go. Plus, it gives me all kinds of anxiety. I spend my
>>> whole day in the house, in my room because I can't navigate anywhere
>>> without
>>> having anxiety attacks. Once in a while I go out, but I've got to have
>>> someone with me, and that's almost always impossible because I don't 
>>> have
>>> anyone to go with me. When I take the bus to the NFB meetings, the 
>>> driver
>>> has to push me in the building and into the room where the meeting is
>>> held
>>> because I'm just too anxious. So no, I don't have to have sight good
>>> enough
>>> to drive a car, but I need enough sight to drive my chair, and not get
>>> injured in the process.
>>>
>>> As far as getting married goes, well it's true that there are plenty of
>>> blind people who are married, but I have the other disability to deal
>>> with
>>> too. I'm not saying there isn't anyone in the world that wouldn't be
>>> willing
>>> to marry me, but the odds are not in my favor. Who wants to deal with
>>> someone who can't walk and can't see and can't seem to function like a
>>> normal human being no matter how hard she tries? So far, nobody.
>>>
>>> I had 2100/20  vision in one eye before I went blind. I enjoyed seeing
>>> the
>>> sun everyday, I felt lucky to be able to see everything. Now I can't see
>>> anything, and at least for me, it's put all these obstacles in my way 
>>> and
>>> I'm just too anxious and overwhelmed to deal with it. Sorry if I sound
>>> like
>>> I'm whining, but that's just the way it is for me, and nothing will
>>> change
>>> it until I can see something again.
>>>
>>> Before anyone says I need professional help, I see a counselor, and it's
>>> not
>>> helping.
>>>
>>> Jen
>>> Message ----- 
>>> From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 2:54 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>>
>>>
>>>> Jen,
>>>>
>>>> I have to admit that I don't quite understand your desire to see where
>>>> you're going.  If you don't want to be able to see well enough to drive
>>>> a
>>>> car or read a standard print book, what are you really gaining?
>>>> Additionally, you say that you can't live without being able to see
>>>> where
>>>> you're going?  Excuse me if this sounds rude, but what are you doing
>>>> now?
>>>>
>>>> I'm sorry that you haven't found the right person to marry, since 
>>>> that's
>>>> a
>>>> desire.  But, I don't believe this has anything to do with your lack of
>>>> sight.  There are plenty of blind people who are married, both to other
>>>> blind people and to sighted people.  So, even if you should gain some
>>>> vision, sometime in the future, it's not a guarantee that you'll
>>>> suddenly
>>>> find the love of your life.
>>>>
>>>> I'm interested in your thoughts on my questions.
>>>>
>>>> Cindy
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: <jaber37837 at cox.net>
>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 2:39 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I can understand your point, but my situation is a bit different.
>>>>
>>>> I wouldn't have anything done unless there was a high success rate, and
>>>> then
>>>> I wouldn't have to pay for it because I have Medicade. That might not 
>>>> be
>>>> an
>>>> option someday, but personally for me, having to file for bankruptcy is
>>>> well
>>>> worth getting some sight back. I don't want perfect vision, I just want
>>>> to
>>>> be able to see where I'm going. I can live with not being able to read 
>>>> a
>>>> standard print book or even not being able to drive a car, but I cannot
>>>> live
>>>> with not being able to see what's in front of me. It's different for 
>>>> me;
>>>> I
>>>> don't have children, I don't have a job, and I'm not married (being
>>>> blind
>>>> has a lot to do with that), so I've got nothing to lose. I too have 
>>>> been
>>>> hearing about all the progress being made in the retinal implant etc,
>>>> and
>>>> I'm getting sick of hearing my doctor talk about it; I'm always saying,
>>>> "So
>>>> when is it going to happen?" and I keep getting the same answer, "It's
>>>> not
>>>> talked about, it's privately funded" etc, I've heard it will be
>>>> available
>>>> in
>>>> five years yadayadoyada, but I just have to keep hoping every time I go
>>>> to
>>>> the doctors that he might just say, "it's time." I won't hear that for 
>>>> a
>>>> while, but I'm always hoping.
>>>>
>>>> Jen
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Steve Jacobson" <steve.jacobson at visi.com>
>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 2:16 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Kathy and others,
>>>>>
>>>>> Please humor me just a bit.  Let's take a practical look at this.  If
>>>>> there were no risks and no costs, and there were no complications, I
>>>>> would
>>>>> consider such a
>>>>> procedure even though I have always been blind.  However, that's not
>>>>> what
>>>>> the choice will likely be.  I would not, for instance, strap myself
>>>>> financially for the rest of
>>>>> my life for the kind of vision that might allow me to read headlines 
>>>>> or
>>>>> see some movement.  If I can't pay for it and since I have already 
>>>>> been
>>>>> working and paying my
>>>>> own way for thirty years, is there a benefit to society to pay to have
>>>>> my
>>>>> vision restored?  What happens to my kids if something goes wrong and 
>>>>> I
>>>>> am
>>>>> no longer able
>>>>> to work after the surgery, infection or other complications for
>>>>> example.
>>>>> There may be honest differences of opinions as to what vision
>>>>> restoration
>>>>> is worth, but some
>>>>> of the difference is whether one is truly looking at the impact. 
>>>>> Would
>>>>> one pay a million dollars to get their vision back?  Probably, until
>>>>> one
>>>>> starts thinking about the
>>>>> payments one would have to make for the rest of their lives and the
>>>>> impact
>>>>> it might have on one's family.  In most cases, getting one's vision
>>>>> back
>>>>> won't increase
>>>>> one's earning power enough to make the payments.
>>>>>
>>>>> I think that researchers often don't put a price on this type of thing
>>>>> and
>>>>> can't understand it when a lot of us don't just jump up and down with
>>>>> joy
>>>>> at the prospect of
>>>>> getting ones vision back, but when you start thinking about it and you
>>>>> start to read about the limitations that might exist, then one begins
>>>>> to
>>>>> think about the pros and
>>>>> cons.
>>>>>
>>>>> Another caveat to this whole thing that needs to be kept in mind is
>>>>> that
>>>>> some of us have been hearing about miraculous procedures for thirty
>>>>> years,
>>>>> and we start to
>>>>> get to the point where seeing is believing, if you will forgive the
>>>>> play
>>>>> on words.  Don't be too hard on those of us who might be both a little
>>>>> skeptical and also realistic.
>>>>> Also don't misunderstand me, there is progress being made and some 
>>>>> sort
>>>>> of
>>>>> artificial vision is probably closer now than it was thirty years ago,
>>>>> but
>>>>> the idea of driving
>>>>> down a freeway at 60 miles per hour totally depending upon an
>>>>> electronic
>>>>> circuit that might be overloaded by something like a radar beam from a
>>>>> police car scares
>>>>> me.  I just don't think we'll see it happen real soon.
>>>>>
>>>>> Discussing what it might be worth to get vision and the complications
>>>>> associated with it is interesting.  I would be curious to reactions to
>>>>> the
>>>>> above.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:46:05 -0500, Kathy Davis wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>The point is that if medical advances are such that blind people can
>>>>>>see
>>>>>>again, each person has the option to go for it or not. Personally, I
>>>>>>would
>>>>>>go for it in an
>>>>> instant...How great it would be just to pop my key in to the ignition
>>>>> and
>>>>> just drive where ever I want whenever I want to do so. It would be
>>>>> great
>>>>> to see the faces of
>>>>> my grandchildren. Like most of you, I totally accept my blindness and
>>>>> am
>>>>> not one bit ashamed of it. It is a royal pain in the behind at times
>>>>> though. If you had a spinal
>>>>> cord injury and could take advantage of scientific advances that would
>>>>> allow you to walk again, would you just say..."I am perfectly happy 
>>>>> not
>>>>> walking or standing
>>>>> so I want to stay this way?" I don't think so! If your blind child
>>>>> could
>>>>> undergo a procedure that would allow your little one to see, would you
>>>>> say..."no, it is respectable
>>>>> to be blind so I want my child to stay that way?"
>>>>>
>>>>>>Just some food for thought.
>>>>>
>>>>>>Kathy
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> "Laurie Porter" <freespirit1 at tds.net> Thursday, March 01, 2007
>>>>>>>>> 10:28
>>>>>>>>> PM >>>
>>>>>>I'm sure you'll agree that there will be lots of medical advances 
>>>>>>using
>>>>>>implants and other technologies. I find it an arrogant assumption on
>>>>>>Ray's
>>>>>>part to assume that the only reason people would take advantage of 
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>opportunity to restore vision is because they aren't comfortable with
>>>>>>their
>>>>>>blindness. There is nothing wrong with desiring to see again. I lost 
>>>>>>my
>>>>>>remaining sight somewhat recently, and I do imagine what it is like to
>>>>>>see
>>>>>>agaiNI was blindd before and my attitude toward blindness has been and
>>>>>>is
>>>>>>positive. In fact, it made me more prepared. I realized that I had
>>>>>>proved
>>>>>>to
>>>>>>myself that my complete loss of sight is not a tragedy, but merely
>>>>>>inconvenient at times. I had quite a bit of usable vision, but I've
>>>>>>always
>>>>>>considered myself blind. I used alternative techniques even when I
>>>>>>could
>>>>>>see. I read braille and always used my skills together with my vision.
>>>>>>I've
>>>>>>never been ashamed of blindness, and I have never been ashamed of my
>>>>>>sight.
>>>>>
>>>>>>Now, for me, a rhetnal implant sounds pretty grizzly indeed and I
>>>>>>wouldn't
>>>>>>consider it until it's been around for at least a decade or so. I
>>>>>>wouldn't
>>>>>>subject myself to invasive procedures that can be too risky. As for 
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>sighted public being uncomfortable being blind, I still assert that 
>>>>>>you
>>>>>>can
>>>>>>learn to be comfortable with your blindness and still  have the desire
>>>>>>to
>>>>>>see again.
>>>>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>From: "Bonnie M Ainsworth" <cedarwoman1965 at neb.rr.com>
>>>>>>To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 2:03 PM
>>>>>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>> Actually, I can understand why Ray said what he did.  What about the
>>>>>>people
>>>>>>> who have never seen in their lives?  I don't know how I would deal
>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>the
>>>>>>> idea of being thrown into a world in which I'd have to adjust to a
>>>>>>> whole
>>>>>>new
>>>>>>> lifestyle.  I do have partial vision, but the thought of seeing 
>>>>>>> fully
>>>>>>scares
>>>>>>> me.  In all honesty, I feel more comfortable with the possibility of
>>>>>>losing
>>>>>>> my sight totally than seeing fully.  I hope this makes sense.
>>>>>>> *SMILE*
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bonnie Ainsworth
>>>>>>> Lincoln, NE USA
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Paul" <n7pzr at icehouse.net>
>>>>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 8:48 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Pardon me while I retch. What a stupid idea.
>>>>>>> Paul Whipple n7pzr
>>>>>>> Vice President Inland Empire Chapter
>>>>>>> of the National Federation of the Blind
>>>>>>> of Wa.
>>>>>>> phone 509/362/3148
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Ray Foret Jr." <rforetjr at bellsouth.net>
>>>>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 9:01 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Fw: [blind-family] More research new
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> No way!!!  I don't want nor will have anything to do with such as
>>>>>>electronic
>>>>>>> eyes and things of that sort.  To my way of thinking, these
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>_______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>> 9:41 AM
>>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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