[Blindtlk] [blindtlk] training centers

[Ineyda Velasquez]

Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 9, 2013, at 7:43 PM, "Ericka Short" <ericka.short at wi.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> Don't lose hope.  If going to an NFB school is what feels best after you lots of research on each program, talk to the staff, teachers, and graduates of each programs definitely reach out to the FL  affiliate.  Don't  be afraid to put all your dreams, needs and reasons on paper.  It makes you look professional and you'll have something to offer staff when planning your curriculum. Some programs assume you have skills and try to  improve them in adults rather than understanding some of us need to start from scratch.  I think MN  taught students braille no matter  how much vision they had sooner than Wi and that might have been a reason I felt behind.  I knew no braille, adaptive computer or cane skills when I left WI. Though I didn't master anything, I had much more knowledge than I did before.  I wish the focus was more on an individual basis rather than cookie cutter programming but that is why you need to do interior (your dreams, fears, talents, etc) and exterior research before making a decision.  I needed more skills than philosophy but I got a big dose of philosophy and less help on skills or support for job concerns  I had the college degree but didn't feel I had the adaptive skills to get into the work force.  I am sure there is a better balance of skills and philosophy now.
> 
> Don't be afraid to "buck the system".  I'd tried the  programs WI offered but they too didn't listen to what I needed and  I was left behind.  As I said before I had some specific needs I was looking to fill before I went into the workforce.  This was almost 20 years ago when I started my fight to attend.  They too wanted justification.  They do that when they don't know much about a program.  I ended up talking to the DVR counselor's boss and within half an hour I"d convinced him that it was a good idea.  My counselor told me it made sense to her but I had to justify it to the state because it was not regular procedure.  In the end they paid for it all and though I wasn't able to get all my needs met at Blind at the time new directors change procedures when they come and I'm certain the program in MN is better at supporting individual student needs than they used to be.
> 
> If you have lived all your life in FL are you prepared for  MN or CO winters?  If the answer is no than Louisiana might be better.  Weigh it all out before you pick.  I didn't and I am paying the price. I'd like to think I'd be employed now full time and have my master perhaps, but then again I might have had to learn some lessons in preparation.  Who knows? what might have been.  Yes, there is a center in Denver Colorado too.
> 
> 
> Ericka J. Short
> "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13
> 
> "No hand is too small or too big to do good in this world." EJ. Short 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for blindtlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/ivelasquez774%40gmail.com