[nfbwatlk] drawing blood and reading visual cues

[Jedi]

Lisa,

I agree with everything that's been said here. But I would also add that,
sometimes, those who have our best interests at heart can do us the most
damage. I'm reminded of Cheranne. I don't know if I spelled her name right,
but anyway... Her mother was a leader in the Parents; division back in the
late eighties and early nineties. Cheranne was the poster child for what a
blind person should be doing at different stages of development. She did
chores just like any other kid. She went to school. Her mother had high
expectations. I don't know if she ever met any blind people before her
daughter, but it was clear that, if not, the Federation had a good influence
on her. Unfortunately, Cheranne's mother died, and Cheranne was sent to her
aunt and uncle. Neither of them had any experience with blindness other than
what they thought they new, and they were not connected with the Federation
or any other organization for that matter. There is no doubt that Cheranne's
family loved her. And I'm sure that they supported her. But through their
expectations for what they thought a blind person could do, Cheranne lost
many of the abilities she had as a child. Even now and after her training at
the LCB, she still struggles with some of the daily tasks we take for
granted. Obviously, this is a dramatic example. But it offers us the notion
that, with all due respect, we have to continuously examine our expectations
for ourselves, as well as those our loved ones, friends, colleagues, and
even acquaintances have for us. I hope that helps.

Respectfully,
Jedi

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mary Ellen
Sent: Saturday, April 12, 2008 7:10 PM
To: 'NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List'
Subject: [nfbwatlk] drawing blood and reading visual cues

Hi Lisa,
Your husband obviously cares enough about you to discuss his questions and
doubts honestly. Without honest discussion we can't grow and learn.
I had the same doubts about a blind doctor drawing blood until I met a
medical student who did it routinely. The faculty at the medical school she
was attending had serious doubts about a blind person's becoming a
physician, but they told her she was the best in her class at drawing blood.
Do I know how she did it? Not in a million years! But you can't argue that a
thing requires sight when somebody has done it without sight. It would be
more helpful to you if I could remember the woman's name, but alas I can't.
 
As for the need for a psychiatrist to observe nonvisual cues, the same has
been said about blind psychologists, social workers, counselors, etc. We all
know loads of blind people who have succeeded in those professions, so I
think the visual observance of body language is a matter which can be
handled nonvisually by listening. Of course, there are times when it would
be useful to get information on the appearance of a patient. Is he wearing a
tailored suit or walking around in dirty mismatched shabby clothes? The
Human Services Division of the ;NFB includes a nummber of individuals who
could help you answer your questions about observing visual cues.
 
As more and more of us succeed in professions which were previously
considered to be visual, the answers to these questions will be easier to
find. In the meantime, good for you and your husband; keep talking to and
challenging one another's notions. Thanks for sharing the discussion with
the rest of us. Perhaps someone else on the list can come up with names I
don't have. Dr. Mark Strax (not sure of spelling) is a blind physician
within the NFB. I also read an artidcle a year ago about a blind person
graduating from medical school, I believe it was somewhere in Oregon. Good
luck. Please keep us posted.
 
Mary Ellen