[Blindtlk] Grilling question

Wed Aug 25 13:43:35 UTC 2010

Hi Mary,

First, please know that I do understand your feelings and frustrations all too well. I have definitely been there before, and occasionally still go there. I think there was a lot of wisdom to be found in Gary's post, and so I'll just second it with a couple of points.

I don't care how well adjusted and accomplished you are as a blind person, there are times when having sight would simply be more convenient. It does get frustrating sometimes. But if you think about it, this is true in many areas of our lives. I often find myself feeling envious of those who  can go shopping, spend $1000 in an afternoon, and not think twice about it, while I am struggling to make sure all of the bills are paid. I am frustrated that the members of congress charged with making our tax and economic decisions, are the people making more money than most of us will ever see.

 I am often disgusted by the women who complain and refer to themselves as "fat" because they can't fit into a size 4 dress, when I would give anything to see a size 14 again 
.  These are just some small, maybe silly, examples, but my point is that blindness is just one of the many frustrations that life has to offer. Life has dealt us all a partial deck of cards, and we just have to learn to play the best game we can with the cards that we've been dealt. But, as any skilled card player knows, the more you practice, the more skilled you become.

Just know that while you are concerned about transportation issues where school is concerned, some other mother is agonizing over how she is going to get new shoes for her child, or pay for the after school childcare. Another mother is worried about how she is going to get her wayward, rebellious teenager through high school in one piece, and on and on.  This is not to say that your concerns aren't frustrating and understandable. Please don't think that that is what I am saying at all. I'm just saying that the blind community is not the only population that encounters these frustrations.

I hope this makes a little bit of sense, at least. Gary did a much better job than I. If you are able to attend an  NFB Training Center I think it would be great for you. It is always something that I wanted to do, but never had the opportunity.  All the reports I have heard though have been amazing, and, if nothing else, it would offer you support and build your level of self confidence. I know that having a child would pose concerns in this area too.

Feel free to vent to us any time. We are all here to help you.

(big cyber hug for you)

Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647

"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver

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-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mari Hunziker
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 7:13 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grilling question

Thank you so much for sharing that Mike. I would love to learn more about
the NFB centers. I am now needing more assistance in finding creative ways
of finding transportation for my son to get to and from school each day. Not
being able to drive or to do other things is a constant struggle. I wish
there was someway to get over the emotional roller coaster I ride every day.
Some days thinking its a blessing to be blind and other days it is a curse.
How have you all gotten over this?
Thanks,
Mari Hunziker

On Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 4:35 PM, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:

> As a matter of fact, one of the things done at our NFB centers is to do
> some grilling and other chores that involve working with fire precisely to
> get people over their fear of being burned. It's not thatanyone wishes to be
> burned but (a) blindness doesn't increase one's risks assuming one is
> careful and (b) we want to turn that fear into what might be termed healthy
> respect for fire which still allows one to work with it. At the end of the
> day, it becomes another lesson that blindness need not prevent us from
> leading normal lives.
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 1:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grilling question
>
>
>  A totally blind person can grill or smoke.  i have a gas grill, and a
>> large off-set smoker and use them regularly.  I have also grilled with
>> charcoal -- although the gas grill is easier.
>>
>> There are lots of techniques to do stuff.  One good source is our blind
>> cooks list
>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-cooks_nfbnet.org
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> p.s.  You mentioned a "fear of getting burned."  Just like with an oven, a
>> pot of boiling water, a gas stove etc., you can get burned if you don't do
>> stuff carefully and correctly, but like with the other things there are
>> ways.
>>
>>
>> At 08:42 AM 8/24/2010, you wrote:
>>
>>> Was anyone of you grillers afraid of the fire and the potential for
>>> getting
>>> burned. That is what keeps me from doing it. We have a charcoal
>>> grill/smoker. My brother, father and husband have mastered the great
>>> taste
>>> of grilled food. I have always thought that I could not grill or do
>>> things
>>> of that nature because I am blind(visually impaired). I now think it
>>> might
>>> just be a fear of getting burned. I do cook fairly well in doors, I never
>>> thought about trying it outdoors. The next time we grill out. I will have
>>> to
>>> pay more attention on how it is done so that I may someday try it. Who
>>> knows, I may like doing it.
>>>
>>
>>                        David Andrews:  dandrews at visi.com
>> Follow me on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/dandrews920
>>
>>
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>
>
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