[Blindtlk] The Cost of Independent Travel

Wed Aug 25 16:22:53 UTC 2010

Diane,
    I also find it interesting that people are "amazed" that it might take 
us 2 hours to get somewhere that, by car, only takes 30 minutes. They also 
express concern over how much a taxicab cost. I point out to them that I get 
a lot of work done on my commutes by making telephone calls and doing 
writing. I also share with them the comparitive savings of taxicabs, when 
necessary, and public transportation for regular, everyday needs, as opposed 
to a $300 car payment, $500 insurance payment, $200/month gas budget, not to 
mention tune-ups, oil changes, tires and rotations, etc.
    I generally use the public transportation fixed route system for most of 
my travel needs, Para transit when necessary, and taxicabs for those times 
when neither of those forms of transportation are viable, e.g. inclement 
weather, gigs where I need to take my sound gear, and entertainment that 
gets out after the buses stop running! I guess it's all a matter of 
perspective!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grilling question


> Hey Mary,
>
> You know it's funny. Another thing that came to mind after I sent my post 
> was my amazement at how frustrated I've seen some sighted people get, when 
> they have to hop into the driver's seat and take a 15 minute ride in their 
> car, to go somewhere that they weren't planning to go. Maybe to run an 
> errand to the grocery store, or go pick up a child, or take a child's 
> friend home. It just blows me away. I'm like "give me a break."
>
> My sister-in-law is like that. She always wants me to come out into the 
> suburbs to her house, but never wants to come into the city to pick me up 
> or visit me.  I'm thinking, "hey lady, you're the one who drives!"
>
> But see, even if you are sighted you get locked into a routine, and are 
> frustrated by the little unexpected inconveniences that come up. 
> Inconveniences that seem almost ridiculous to a blind person who would 
> love to be able to drive independently and take care of some of those 
> things without the  hassle of planning.
>
>
>
>
> 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
>
> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential 
> and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or 
> entity(ies)
> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be 
> advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or acting 
> in reliance
> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have 
> received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to 
> arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission. 
> Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Mari Hunziker
> Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 10:23 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grilling question
>
> Thank you Diane and Gary,
>
> Your words of wisdom have left me to ponder about what the Lord has in 
> store
> for me as a mother of two wonderful children. I know that I was given this
> opportunity for a reason. I know that being visually impaired will only
> enhance my life. Yes, Diane I wish as well that I could spend $1000 in an
> afternoon and not think twice. Being financially secure does help make 
> life
> a bit more comfortable but not necessarily happier. It takes a lot more 
> self
> assurance of oneself to be happy. That is what I think my real issue is. I
> want to be happy with all that I have. I am most of the time. Its that
> emotional roller coaster that I don't enjoy riding at times. But for the
> most part life is good. Thank you for your words of wisdom. I really
> appreciate it.
> Mari Hunziker
>
> On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 8:43 AM, Graves, Diane <dgraves at icrc.in.gov> 
> wrote:
>
>> 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
>>
>> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential
>> and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or
>> entity(ies)
>> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be
>> advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or 
>> acting
>> in reliance
>> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
>> received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
>> arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
>> Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>>
>> -----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
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >> blindtlk mailing list
>> >> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> >> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> >> blindtlk:
>> >>
>> >>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40panix.com
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > blindtlk mailing list
>> > blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> > http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> > blindtlk:
>> >
>> >
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/marihunziker%40gmail.com
>> >
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dgraves%40icrc.in.gov
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>>
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/marihunziker%40gmail.com
>>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/dgraves%40icrc.in.gov
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/blind411%40verizon.net