[Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver

Mon Dec 16 13:27:58 UTC 2013

Good morning, Mike,

Perhaps, and I mean this with extreme sarcasm, we'd be better off!

:44 AM 12/11/2013, Mike Freeman wrote:
>That may indeec be the underlying problem -- her parents may consider that
>blind people are, or ought to be, asexual.
>
>Mike
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Linda
>Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2013 7:20 PM
>To: Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Hiring a Driver
>
>I do not understand this.  If adults are not supposed to have a social life,
>how would one meet a potential mate?  The only men who asked me to lunch
>were the ones I met when I was out of the house living my life.  Unless a
>marriage is arranged by the parents, how else would a person get married and
>have a family?
>
> > On Dec 10, 2013, at 8:14 PM, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com>
>wrote:
> >
> > 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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> >>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
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> >>> blindtlk:
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> >>> gmail.com
> >>>
> >>> .
> >> --
> >> Desiree
> >>
> >>
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> >> il.com
> >>
> >>
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> >
> > --
> > Desiree
> >
> >
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