[Blindtlk] Possibilities of the Blind

[Peter Wolfe]

Julie,


    I agree with your attitude like can do positive is a good way of
viewing the world just be realistic that is all. I'd like to believe
blind people can do everything but coming from a  former sighted
prospective that its not possible to think in such an unrealistic way.
I've run into some blind people doing amazing things with mechanics,
computer science and a few other fields with some particularly
interesting adaption skills whether mechanical or whatever. However,
there comes an attitude thatt either unsuccessful blind people are
lazy or using anecdotes that cannot apply to all situations similar to
theirs or cannot happen like the change in technology or the economy
shifts make it impossible.

    Well, its great that you have risen above your adversity of the
lower economic ladder cause that is what I want to accomplish cause
like you that I've been homeless and have seen much much more than
just merely that in my twenty-seven years of living as well. I just
don't like this unhealthy attitude like unrealistic expectations are
always possible. The attitude is great like finding a job or
volunteering or being engaged in your community especially with local
individuals who are blind. I also agree that unlocked potential needs
to be unpent just that not all blind people are lazy. The economy is
such that we need to encourage blind people not have the attitude like
one size fits all like perhaps blind circles need to do is learn to
listen than talk. This is my feeling that I get from lots of blind
people is the leading advocacy groups won't listen just have their
agenda that is it, etc.

    Lastly, I'm trying to find entry level employment with the federal
government cause of having a bachelors in political science right? My
Vocational Rehabilitation counselor won't aid me with a job coach
cause of wanting me to get counsfeling and be trained with JAWS Screen
Reader. Its true that I am paying off debts and finishing some
appointments still though that I'd like to finish up and own Jaws at
home not the fourty minute demo either. VR is reluctant in buying me a
second screen reader for work cause of already paying for Window-Eyes.
They shouldn't have paid for Window-Eyes knowing my field and
direction of employment and all and I shouldn't have been trained in
it. So, I'm ultimately left with incompetent decisions havoc and now
must again retrain to get employment. Any ideas on what I should do to
improve my chances of entry level jobs in the federal government?


hugs,
Peter

On 3/3/13, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
> Peter,
>
> I never said I was speaking for all blind people everywhere.  I said
> that stress, unhappiness and unemployment were not *my* current
> experience.  I understand that lots of blind people don't have jobs and
> are generally unhappy with their life situation.  And I have no problem
> with the words happy or unhappy.
>
> I have been there too.  I had no job for a long time.  I've been
> homeless, if only for a few days.  I've eaten my fair share of Ramen
> noodles.   I've wondered how I was going to scrape together enough money
> to pay the bills, month after month after month.  However I always kept
> the mindset that the situation at hand was temporary.  You can be in an
> awful situation and still have hope. Sometimes that's all there is.
>
> I'm not quite as old as you think.  I'll be 40 this year.  I don't know
> that families were all that much different when I was a kid.  I grew up
> in a mostly African American, poor area though.  BTW I am white.  I
> guess maybe growing up being the different kid allowed me to get real
> comfortable with being different and being okay with that.  Who knows?
>
> Now, I work with young people with their first contact with the criminal
> justice system.  I see all sorts of different family groupings.  Some of
> them work and are healthy and some of them are not a good place for
> kids.  I don't see a strong correlation between a man and woman who have
> been married for a long time with only their own kids in the home and
> stability.  I have a single Dad raising five kids that I think should
> get parent of the year.  I have another youth who lives with her Aunt
> and Uncle and it is one of the most positive respectful families.  Some
> of the traditional families are good too.  I'm just saying that family
> comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes and I think it always has.
>
> Perhaps what I am saying is that yes, bad stuff happens in the world.
> We all know that and can agree that blind people get more than our fair
> share of hardships.   I feel like I have a choice though.  I can choose
> to feel stressed and hopeless because the odds are that I won't have a
> job or I can choose to put all my effort in to finding a job or starting
> my own business.  No, it isn't easy and it won't happen overnight, but
> if I believe that it can happen for me, I have just dramatically
> increased the odds that it will.  "Whether you believe you can or you
> can't, either way you're right."A quote from the founder of the Ford
> motor company.
>
> Blindness can be hard, very hard at times.  I choose to look at it as an
> opportunity though.  I feel like I have made many of the life choices I
> have because of my blindness, not despite it.  I have a strong need to
> challenge myself to learn new things and have new experiences.
> Blindness has made that easy.
>
> This summer I am going survival camping.  I am going to learn stuff like
> how to make a fire with no matches, how to make rope, how to find
> drinking water and  how to make a shelter in the woods.   I am so
> excited for this opportunity!  It will be a challenge and I'll have to
> figure out many adaptations because of my blindness.   It's like a
> puzzle for me.  I love to figure out how I can accomplish the task.
> Occasionally I come across something that I can't do, but more often I
> surprise myself.  It also helps a lot to have wonderful email lists and
> other blind people willing to talk to me about similar things they have
> done.  I can build on what has already been discovered without
> reinventing the wheel.  *smile*
>
> What are your goals? Your dreams?  If you knew you couldn't fail what
> would you do?  Let us help you figure out how to get there.
>
> Julie
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/yogabare13%40gmail.com
>


-- 
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