[Blindtlk] 10 natural ways to relieve stress!

[Peter Wolfe]

Julie and all,


    Good to see that you have a very optimistic projection of past,
current and future perseptions of the blind in personal to
professional opinions of our community. I'm a realist to a fault, so I
go with facts that BLS Statistics indicate the 70% figure that is even
conservative that in reality is more likely 80% not to mention the
difference between the low vision vs completely blind either. I am not
trying to drag down the mood either cause I'd like to have as many
blind people working as well just realize that like you say "Good
Rehabilitation" counselors and programs are hard to come by in the
U.S. I cannot speak outside of the country, so that is left up for
your conversaion. All of this being equal the U.S isn't alone by any
means and has an above average highering of persons with disabilities
in the work-force especially the blind.

    Secondly, I've known lots of blind individuals single and in
families and lots of them are single. I'd say throwing around words
like "Happy" are subjective and kind of misleading cause what is happy
to one person to another is up for endless debate. However, I will say
that blind people have an inordient amount of unemployment or else we
wouldn't have Vocatiolal Rehabilitation or rehabilitation programs for
blind people in the U.S today. So, I also know that many veterns with
blindness have severe mental disorders whether that is exclusive of
blindness or not that they could at least get something from this on a
general talk forum like he NFB. What would be the harm of posting this
information anyways? I see only positive conversations of awareness of
health that is often neglected in normal society like nobody shames
obese individuals or talks about responsibility like financial
responsibility anymore in normal society. These conversations should
be facilitated more even if you aren't blind not to mention he poverty
striken blind community as a whole.

    Yes, computers do cause blind people more stress cause of much of
the web and software to hardware is still unaccessible. I can't tell
you the number of federal NFB muster e-mail clients, ACB and phone
line blind individuals show much frustrations till this day with
technology. Unlike other people technology isn't a choice with blind
people cause its an intercal part of the modern economy now days. Its
important to note that families have tremendously broken down since
you were a youngster as well like especially with the african american
community or post-feminist revolution that familieis have changed.

    Thirdly and finally, I appreciate your staunch optimism but
realize you don't speak for the majority. The problem with leaders
with your similar attitude is that you equate your successes with the
whole part that simply isn't the case with the majority of the blind.
We can speak all day on these things but realize that we have
international blind people on list apparently too! Then, the anecdote
of accusing most blind people of being lazy is without merit. Have you
seen the economy? The unemployment is 7.9% that is under rated and
lots of blind people might be losing thier jobs and livelyhoods in
state to federal layoffs. Moreover, medicaid and medicare are under
stressors of being cut with federal deficit of 1.1 trillion dollars so
lots of people in the IRS training program with me showed this
anxiety. They told us in the assessment meeting that there won't
nearly be enough positions for all the people by far and that was
stressful for them. Lastly, I like your attitude just not necessarily
the content that doesn't reflect reality for the vast majority of the
blind in the U.S.


sincerely,
Peter

On 3/2/13, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
> Peter,
>
> This has not been my experience, nor the experience of most of the blind
> people I know.   Most of the blind people I know are in relationships or
> are happily single.   Sure there are a few who are looking and unhappy,
> but they are the minority.  Also most of the blind people I know are
> working or are retired from working.  I'm guessing this is because I am
> middle aged and fairly well connected to the blindness community.
> Younger blind people or those without access to good rehabilitation
> services are probably much more likely to not have jobs.  I do wonder
> about that 70% figure though.  Most of the blind people I know who don't
> have jobs aren't working very hard to find one or are perfectly content
> not working.  That 70% number has been thrown around for so long and I
> have no idea what it actually represents.
>
> I think computers not working is a stress for all people, not just blind
> people.  Jeeze, you should witness my sighted husband trying to learn
> how to use his new smart phone! *smile*   I find it best to go in the
> other room and give him some space.  I figure stuff is going to happen
> to everyone, but it's up to me as to how I want to react. Sometimes I
> have to remind myself that there was life before computers.  I am old
> enough to remember those days.  It really is true, people did manage
> without i-do-dads.
>
> We talked about social isolation fairly recently on this list.  I didn't
> read all those messages, but I do think it can and does happen, but I
> also believe that there are ways to connect with others.  I truly
> believe that social isolation is way more about attitude and mental
> health than it is about actual opportunity.  the vast majority of blind
> people can make different choices to connect them with people in their
> communities, join a club, volunteer, go to community events, just going
> to a coffee shop and chatting with other patrons could be a start.  I
> also think it's important to note that different people have different
> needs when it comes to friends and social connections.  this has nothing
> to do with blindness, but is based on personality traits.  I think it
> also takes time.  I lived in this town for several years before I really
> started feeling like I lived here instead of just being a visitor.
>
> What is it that you want, I mean really, really want, like your big
> dream in life?  What do you need to do to get there?  what could you do
> today to get started?
>
> Julie
>
>
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-- 
Cordially,
Peter Q Wolfe, BA
cum laude Auburn University
e-mail: yogabare13 at gmail.com
"If you don't stand up for something your willing to fall for anything"
Peter Q Wolfe
"Stand up for your rights"
Bob Marley