[Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver

Wed Dec 11 07:17:24 UTC 2013

Hi,
I would think that what your parents think is just that; what they think. It
doesn't have to be what you think.
Thanks
Lauren

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Desiree
Oudinot
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 5:15 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver

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
>>
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>> .
>>
> --
> Desiree
>
>
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--
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