[Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver

Wed Dec 11 00:47:40 UTC 2013

It's actually not juvenile to desire a social life; you deserve a social
life too.  That is a very normal thing and everyone performs better in
school and in life when they have one.  A church would expect a certain
level of involvement; probably attendance in Sunday service.  

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Desiree
Oudinot
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 6:39 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver

Hi,
I, too, live in a rural area of PA, so your message really resonated with
me. I have some questions and concerns that perhaps you can shed some light
on.
I also don't get out of my house very often. There is no Paratransit
service. My family is either working or, let's just say, not being
supportive of me. If I wanted to go somewhere, I would have to call a cab,
and we all know how expensive that can be, particularly when we're not just
talking about riding down a few city blocks, but for several miles to get to
the grocery store or what have you.
As for hiring a driver, I'll admit that I've never actually tried it, but
because of the fact that things aren't exactly close at hand, I would think
I would have to pay an arm and a leg to get any kind of services.
I disagree that taking a class at a community college is as easy as you're
making it sound. When I was considering taking that route, my VR counselor
told me flat out that transportation could not be provided to and from the
college because it was too far away. they also wouldn't pay for the classes
because you have to take at least 12 credits in order for the state to fund
it. Community college courses may not be terribly expensive, but for folks
like Michelle and myself who live on SSI, providing our own transportation,
plus paying for the class would simply not be feasible.
I also have to ask this, and I'm not trying to start an argument, so please
take it as a general query only. If I started calling around to local
churches, wouldn't I have to be a member of their congregation before they
would even think about providing rides? I consider myself to be a
non-denominational Christian. I believe, but I do not want to be a part of
an organized religion. I feel that I am entitled to this opinion, and that
just because I'm blind, I shouldn't have to join an organization that I'll
most likely be uncomfortable with just to be able to go places. I feel
that's unfair both to myself and to the people who might provide
transportation. They would expect a certain level of faith and involvement
from me that I can't give, and I would expect them not to badger me about
it. Either way you slice it, it doesn't seem right. 
It seems like it would cause a lot of strife and ill will.
I could be wrong about this, but I wish there were other places one could
reach out to that didn't have that kind of burden attached to it.
Furthermore, how would payment be handled if you needed to travel a long
distance? For example, many of my friends live at least an hour away. I
haven't seen them in years. I wouldn't really expect someone to drive that
far just to fulfill such a personal need. If I did, I would probably feel
obligated to pay them as much money as a cab company would charge to go such
a long distance. It's one thing if I need to go to the doctor or the store;
things that adults do, in other words. But I would feel highly uncomfortable
with expecting someone to chauffeur me for long distances just because I
would like a social life. Is that really as juvenile as I think it is?
Again, I'm asking this in all seriousness, because I don't know.

On 12/9/2013 3:19 PM, Ericka Short wrote:
> I usually refrain from taking sides but as a trained social worker I 
> have to agree with Dave.  The rest of the world doesn't know you exist 
> and they won't come to you so you have to make an effort.  I was 
> raised in a town of just over 10,000 which was the county seat.  There 
> was no transit available at all.  You either waked, rode with  family 
> or a friend, neighbor etc. Call any faith-based organization, share 
> your situation and they will help you.  Perhaps the county social 
> services needs to hear your story so they can help.  I hope the fact 
> you could be the instigator of change in you community for the better 
> motivates you to look into things more.  This is coming from someone 
> so shy nobody  heard me speak in public until I was in 7th grade.
> College was very liberating and I dropped the shy person I was for the 
> most part and found my voice.
>
> If it is a college class you want to take, contact the disability 
> services program for ideas before signing up.  This is part of their 
> job.  They are there to help with more than just get your books in a 
> special format or help you find your way around. Contact the state 
> services for the blind or office of the  blind. In WI the office for 
> the blind works strictly with adults who are either not working or are 
> in retirement and need help doing daily living tasks.  No matter what 
> state, you are not alone Michelle. There are a lots of people in WI 
> stuck in rural areas with nothing but 300 residents, a bar, a church 
> and perhaps a convenience store.  Neighbors are miles away, not just 
> down the street.  Just keep looking.
>
> Ericka J. Short
> 262-697-0510
>
> "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
>
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>

--
Desiree

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