[nfbwatlk] A question of support

[Maurice Mines]

On Apr 12, 2008, at 3:28 AM, Owenblue2 at aol.com wrote:
Hello. Greetings from the Northeastern plains of Colorado.
In my academic career I have taken biology at 2 different institutions  
and chemistry at one institution. While taking these courses I had a  
lab assistance for both of the biology courses that I took, and I was  
able to pass the class. With the chemistry course I did not have an  
assistance and had to withdraw from the chemistry course.  Anybody can  
take and succeed in these science courses, but as a blind student I  
recommend having an assistance for your science courses to give you  
information that can only be seen visually. There is someone that is  
blind in our pennsylvania affiliate, and he is getting his Ph.D in  
chemistry. You may want to contact him if you have any questions. You  
can get the number off the national website or call them if that does  
not work. P.S. If a medical technician needed to draw blood from me, I  
would assume that they have gone through medical school, and have been  
educated/trained in drawing blood from other people. Regardless if  
they are blind or sighted I would trust them on their prior  
techniques. I feel that a blind student can succeed in going into the  
medical profession if they want to pursue a medical career given  
appropriate alternative techniques of blindness. Going into the  
medical profession can be accomplished. It takes you as the individual  
to be able to know and understand the material correctly. It may be at  
your advantage to have an i.e. reader/assistance that can tell you  
what he or she sees.

Maurice Mines

> My Friends in the NFB & CFB & WCB:
>
> Something has troubled me about a conversation that my Spouse and I  
> had on Thursday.
>
> As a future doctor one of my duties maybe to draw blood or start an  
> IV. My husband who is blind himself thinks that I shouldn't come  
> near him in order to either draw blood or do anything with his  
> veins. He also pointed out that as a psychiatrist being blind will  
> not allow me to spot visual cues such as facial expressions or body  
> language.
>
> I asked even when I am good at drawing blood. He says no way don't  
> come near me. I think you can give injections.
>
> Another friend pointed out that I should be hurt and tells him well  
> I think you are too blind to cut my hair. Ok that's a valid  
> response. However, after really considering all that has happened to  
> me over the past six months; I would like to share my thoughts.
>
> Does your spouse support you?
>
> I think that my husband's behavior is not done out of spite or to be  
> mean. Some people including blind people can and are allowed to be  
> realistic and play devil's advocate. There's no harm in that and it  
> makes me think. Frankly my husband is one of my strongest  
> supporters. If it wasn't for his encouragement and love and yes  
> keeping it real; I would not be the person I am today. Is he  
> uncomfortable with blindness or blindness organizations perhaps? He  
> tries to cope the best he can.
>
> It's funny some say I speak for him. He's 65 years old and can speak  
> for himself.
>
> Well anyway. Another thing we discussed and debated was the question  
> of either having a lab assistant in biology and chemistry lab is a  
> good idea and promotes safety? How could you work with dangerous  
> chemicals? Again a good point. At the moment I don't know how to  
> work alone in the lab. Until I learn I will have an aid. Is the  
> college liable if I get hurt? They could be.
>
> I bring this up because I think caring about someone's safety is a  
> perfectly natural and normal response for any married person. Is he  
> holding me back? No. We are a team and I care as much for his well  
> being and safety as he does about mine. Let's not confuse caring and  
> support.
>
> He does not wish to be in any blindness organization for now. That  
> is his right. We all have the right to either serve or not. He  
> should be supported. All blind people should be supported whether or  
> not they are in a group or even if they don't always agree with  
> either philosophy. That's fair.
>
> I have learned to treasure and cherish all my gifts and talents. I  
> was able to see under a microscope this week; my vision is corrected  
> to 20\250---20\320; what a blessing! Do I give up Braille or the  
> cane; not a bit. Any gift is a blessing. I am grateful for all the  
> time I spent growing as a blind person.
>
> Is it possible that some have become so set in their ways and  
> opinions that they don't notice what's happening around them? It is  
> not a healthy thing when any of us swings to the radical way of  
> thinking. It will always be a debate; it’s a good time to consider  
> and share any thoughts. We are among friends and family after all.
>
> Peace be with all of you.
>
> I am having a great quarter at Western Washington University and my  
> biology professor asked me to be a teacher assistant (TA) after I  
> finish the 200 level biology courses. Fancy that!
>
> Lisa A. Owen
> Premedical & Psychology Student
> Junior
> WWU
>
> This will be my first B.S Degree & my third Degree.
>
> It's Tax Time! Get tips, forms and advice on http://money.aol.com/tax?NCID=aolcmp00300000002850 
>  AOL Money & Finance
> .
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Maurice Mines
Masters Student Educational Technology University of Northern Colorado  
970-352-5040 (home) Volunteer NFB of Colorado Newsline for the Blind  
Assistant Coordinator 970-373-3076 (office)
minesm at mac.com (personal email)
mine1533 at unco.edu (school email)