[Blindtlk] The Cost of Independent Travel

Thu Aug 26 02:41:41 UTC 2010

Mike,
Good point. That is my problem though. I need to get in shape before I am
able to get my lazy bum out in that heat. I know it will be so good for me
and my kids to walk. And for some reason- I really want to I just can't
imagine myself doing it, which is actually really silly because I have
walked to and from my son's school several times. It was last year. the
summer has turned me into one big fat lazy bum. I work from home on my
computer so that doesn't help with exercising much. I also do have some
medical conditions (blood disorder) that makes me feel so super fatigued all
the time. Gotta exercise! I think that will help. Thanks. and Yes, liquids
help hydrate your body to be able to manage the heat. So true. Mari Hunziker

On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 9:32 PM, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:

> Mari:
>
> When I lived in New Mexico during the 1970's, I didn't think twice about
> walking five miles in 105-degree heat: I just drank a gallon of ice tea when
> I started and another when I arrived at my destination.
>
> I truly don't want to come across holier-than-thou but I confess to
> wondering sometimes if we -- every one of us -- have gone wimpy over the
> last few decades! Look at it this way: if you and your children walked both
> ways, you'd both be in far better shape than am I right now! (grin)
>
> Mike
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mari Hunziker" <marihunziker at gmail.com
> >
> To: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>; "Blind Talk Mailing List" <
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2010 11:55 AM
>
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] The Cost of Independent Travel
>
>
>  I have gotten to the point that I would rather sit at home and do nothing
>> than ask someone for a ride. Some people get so frustrated or seem to be
>> bothered by having to help me out sometimes. Yesterday, I paid a friend
>> $30
>> dollars in gas money to drive my son home from school. My 1st grade son,
>> is
>> not eligible to ride the school bus because his elementary school only
>> offers busing to kids with special needs. I asked for special
>> accommodations
>> for our situation and they were not able to help. I paid the my friend
>> because I could not see myself walking 1.75 miles to the school and back
>> another 1.75 miles back in 105 degree heat. I told the district
>> transportation manager that when the heat index is so dangerously hot it
>> should be mandatory that kids get rides home somehow. It breaks my heart
>> that kids have to walk, ride their bike, etc home in that heat. My
>> transportation needs have been met by a kind friend willing to drive out
>> of
>> her way to bring my son home. I was so blessed the last couple of years to
>> have a friend in my neighborhood be willing to carpool with us. My husband
>> drove the kids in the morning and she brought them home after school. It
>> was
>> great. But of course things always change and we (I) must learn to deal
>> with
>> it like I am trying to. I just signed my 2 year old daughter up for Dance
>> class and then called up CARTS to arrange a ride. So happy they can take
>> us
>> and charge us $3 each way. We will see how it goes. I wish visually
>> impaired
>> / blind people received a living expense stipend like they do in Canada.
>> It
>> would be so helpful for those of us living on a budget and for those of
>> us,
>> like myself who live in the suburbs  with no public nor para transit
>> system.
>>
>> You all are fabulous. Thanks for all of the words of wisdom posted on
>> here.
>> I love it.
>>
>> Mari Hunziker
>>
>> On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 11:22 AM, Marion Gwizdala <blind411 at verizon.net
>> >wrote:
>>
>>  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
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>>>> 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
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
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>>>>> >>
>>>>> >
>>>>> >
>>>>> > _______________________________________________
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>>>>>  _______________________________________________
>>>>>
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