[Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver

Wed Dec 11 01:14:50 UTC 2013

Hi,
The reason I asked that particular question is because my parents seem 
to think that, once you become an adult, having a social life is 
unnecessary and counterproductive. I don't want to go too far into it, 
because I know that personal anecdotes are usually met with a lot of 
criticism on this listserv, so let's leave it at that.
Thanks for your response.

On 12/10/2013 7:47 PM, justin williams wrote:
> 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
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/turtlepower17%40
>> gmail.com
>>
>> .
>>
> --
> Desiree
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/justin.williams2%40gma
> il.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/turtlepower17%40gmail.com
>

-- 
Desiree