[Blindtlk] Encouraging Medical Students To Be Retina Doctors

Tue Feb 21 05:29:50 UTC 2012

Dear Mike, and All,
the talk is not for the purpose for getting students to go to Columbia They
are already Medical students at Columbia deciding on what kind of Doctor
they want to be.  This is not my intention to get across that blindness is
not respectable or have the sighted realize what we cannot do.  I know that
you do not know me but I am a good role model for someone who is living with
Blindness.  When the students meet me they will know that a Blind person can
just about do anything.  I am on a Web show on Thru our Eyes called Looking
Good Without Looking.  I am the Co-host.  I am called the Make-up Diva.  I
train women if they choose to put on make-up.  You do not have to see to
wear make-up.  As a matter of fact I put it on better than a sighted person.
Our next show is this Wednesday night and I will send the link to the list.
Our show is for Men, Women , and Teens.  It is for full vision, low vision,
or no vision.  I am proud of my Blindness and how I cope.  Yes,  I have all
the frustrations and stress that go along with it also .  But I choose to
keep going and learning to make my life and others around me better.    I
just joined the NFB a year ago.  Yes I heard they were Radical.  But when I
joined I found it to be not so.  Desiree forgive me if I spell your name
wrong.  You see by being involve with the NFB we all want to help one
another with problems that each other may have .  One or many of us have
been through it and we can help one another. Please ask us questions so
maybe we can help.  I used to drive 34 years ago and I still miss it
terribly.  I too have to depend on friends, and family for rides.  You know
that there is a talking cash register.  Get with a VR counselor and see what
kind of jobs are around you.  By the way where do you Live?  They may be
able to connect you with a job that uses a talking cash register.  There is
a lot more technology out there now then there was for me 34 years ago.
Keep fighting and do not give up.    If you have not already gotten your
degree than do so.  Yes, there are many small minded  and mean people out
there.    You have to rise above it.  I know it is not easy.  Getting back
to my talk.  All over the country there are  places that are doing research
.  These places  need Retina Doctors and Researchers to continue what has
been started.  There is stem cell research, gene therapy research, retina
cell transplantation research,  and retina doctors that are needed to
continue this.  Don't worry Mike I will let them know also the techniques of
blindness.  We all can do almost the same things that the sighted do.  But
with technology we get the same result but the way we get it done is
different.  
Sincerely,
Johanna

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 10:19 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Encouraging Medical Students To Be Retina Doctors

If you were African-american (and I don't know whether you are or are not
and it truly doesn't make a difference), would you consent to give a talk on
what you're missing out on by not being Caucasian, especially since the
purpose is obviously to get more specialists to go to a prestigious medical
school?

Were I you, I'd refuse because going through the "ain't it awful" routine,
even if in a worthy cause, hurts the blind in that it concentrates upon what
the sighted think we *can't* do rather than showing them that ultimately, it
is respectable to be blind.

Mike Freeman

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Johanna Baccan
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2012 5:43 PM
To: Blind Talk mailing List
Subject: [Blindtlk] Encouraging Medical Students To Be Retina Doctors

To All:

I was asked by Dr. Steven  Sang one of the top Retina Doctors at Columbia
Presbyterian  Hospital in New York City, new York  to speak to Columbia
University Medical Students.  He wants me to encourage them to become Retina
Doctors and Retina Researchers.     I am a 54 year old woman and have a
unusual form of Stargardt's Disease and have been visually impaired for 34
years.  I know that we all have mastered some if not all the Techniques of
Blindness.  But my talk is going to be on what it would mean to regain my
vision and what I have missed out on for 34 years.  I would like to hear
from all of you to let me know what it would mean to you to have or regain
your vision.  What struggles have you had.  There has been a declined in
Medical Students to become Retina Doctors and Researchers in this country.
As a whole the Blind Community seems to function in a way that people don't
realize how difficult it really is.  So instead of talking how I mastered
the Techniques of Blindness I have to talk about the reality of vision loss.
These students are exposed to other patients with diseases that are much
more visible and pronounced then our vision loss.  At times my particular
eye disease has been called a Hidden handicap.  Because to look at me even
though I use a cane I do not look visually impaired at all.  Any suggestions
or comments would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Johanna Baccan

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