[Blindtlk] Professions on list?

Mon Mar 25 16:16:14 UTC 2013

Hi, Peter,

Too much mumbo jumbo for me!
loving, CarAt 06:36 AM 3/25/2013, Peter Wolfe wrote:
>     The word unique suffices for the feats of these innovaters okay? I
>just don't like to expect less to think that the benchmarks have been
>completed cause clearly that they haven't. I'm a person who attempts
>with reason to expect more of less than perfect circumstances. Also, I
>don't like to rise my expectations to levels unobtainable within
>reason so am self-adjusting to reality not in a dream-state of
>innocence or of pessimism. Hopefully there will be a comprehensive
>study of all professions by blind people to reduce objectively the
>existing barriers and how we can best eliminate remaining barriers in
>a scientific fashion with percision not just opinions. Anyways, I hope
>for such an ambitious undertaking cause I'd volunteer for such a
>mission myself. BTW: I'd like to see a comprehensive database of
>software that would be rated by blind people on a star system and all
>too!
>
>
>
>hugs,
>Peter
>
>On 3/24/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I don't like the word odd either.  Unique, is my preferred word if we need
> > one.  The only reason I say uniqu is because of the sighted individuals who
> > have done things such as skydiving from space.  That was incredible.  It is
> > not that we don't acknowledge a certan nonconformity to norms when a blind
> > person becomes a doctor, or takes up a less mainstream profession, but the
> > word oddity means sounds to much like  freek.    I like a little
> > nonconformidy.  I dance to the beat of my own  drumb.  And if I don't have
> > a
> > drum, I'll just beat on yours.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marion
> > Gwizdala
> > Sent: Monday, March 25, 2013 5:45 AM
> > To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Professions on list?
> >
> > Peter,
> >     I think that using the word "oddity" to describe the accomplishments of
> > blind people who have unusual vocations demonstrates a stereotype that
> > blind
> > people are inherently relegated to specific occupations and those who break
> > the stereotype are odd. You mentioned, for instance, "a medical doctor in
> > the ACB" who, it seems, only accomplished this because he was sighted when
> > he received his medical degree. How, then, do you explain the medical
> > doctor
> > in the NFB who has been blind all his life? Just because one believes a
> > blind person cannot do some thing or another does not mean this belief is
> > fact and, by doing so, that person is odd! This person, in my opinion, is a
> > trailblazer and other blind people are encouraged to break the stereotypes
> > that bind us to misconceptions of what is possible.
> >     For a very long time, people believed that breaking the 4-minute mile
> > mark was impossible and, though many came close, this belief kept people
> > from accomplishing this task. Once the 4-minute mile barrier was broken,
> > there came the realization that this was possible and people have broken
> > that mark time and time again. The adage of my private practice is  Henry
> > Ford's quotation"Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're
> > right!"
> >
> > Fraternally yours,
> > Marion Gwizdala
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Peter Wolfe" <yogabare13 at gmail.com>
> > To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2013 9:36 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Professions on list?
> >
> >
> >> Mike,
> >>
> >>
> >>    Thanks for your e-mail even if it assumes things that I don't
> >> believe in or have stated! Much of what you said that I covered in my
> >> questions e-mail! Anyways, I do appreciate the sincere effort and have
> >> heard of oddities of feats of some blind people that can have multiple
> >> reasons not just one reason like having vision prior like a medical
> >> doctor in ACB in Houston, Texas just a small example with former sight
> >> or whatever.
> >>
> >>
> >>    What type of computer programming do you do Mike or have done in
> >> your past jobs? I'm curious cause this is something that is a hobby of
> >> mine and something that I've become rusty in as well. My thing is that
> >> I don't know nemeth code and was openly discouraged by the Principle
> >> of American School for the Blind and was openly referred to get my GED
> >> not my high school diploma because of that conversation that we had. I
> >> also wonder with shifting software that has it become easier in your
> >> jobs or harder to keep up especially with unfamilar technology
> >> unaccessible to the blind? I wonder how flexible the employers whether
> >> private or public have been in such scenarios?
> >>
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Peter
> >>
> >> On 3/24/13, Bryan Schulz <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> >>> hi,
> >>>
> >>> sometimes you have to do your own research as well.
> >>> i found info about a whole plant of blind guys performing cnc machine
> >>> work
> >>> producing parts for Boeing but never heard of those guys in 20 years
> >>> because
> >>>
> >>> they aren't associated with the nfb or blue collar isn't deemed as
> >>> popular
> >>> or important than white collar jobs.
> >>>
> >>> Bryan Schulz
> >>>
> >>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
> >>> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> >>> Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2013 11:31 AM
> >>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Professions on list?
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> Peter:
> >>>>
> >>>> Before proceeding, I'll tell you that I *do* worry about the economy
> >>>> and
> >>>> out-sourcing although that last trend is abating as foreign labor
> >>>> becomes
> >>>> more expensive and makes employment here in the U.S. attractive again.
> >>>> I
> >>>> worry what will happen to people who heretofore had skilled jobs that
> >>>> might
> >>>> not have required a college degree but now do. And I worry especially
> >>>> about
> >>>> what will happen to unskilled and semi-skilled jobs in an economy that
> >>>> requires more and more high-tech skills. But these are generalized
> >>>> worries
> >>>> and apply to blind and sighted alike.
> >>>>
> >>>> Now then: it is the contention of Federationists in general that your
> >>>> asking
> >>>> the questions ass-backward. You ask: what can the blind do and within
> >>>> the
> >>>> jobs available by this answer, what might I be interested in. Most of
> >>>> us
> >>>> contend -- and it was and is the model on which NFB training centers
> >>>> and
> >>>> those who follow their precepts believe in -- that, like everyone else,
> >>>> you
> >>>> should instead be asking: what do I want to do with my life? What
> >>>> interests
> >>>> me? And *then* you ask not whether but, rather, *how* you would do
> >>>> whatever
> >>>> it is as a blind person. The answer may, indeed, at the moment be that
> >>>> you
> >>>> will not be able to do exactly what you want. For example, you might
> >>>> not
> >>>> be
> >>>> able to be a long-haul truck-driver. But this may not always be the
> >>>> case
> >>>> and
> >>>> in the meantime, you *could* operate a trucking company (I knew a blind
> >>>> man
> >>>> who did just that). Incidentally, I've known people who were
> >>>> electricians,
> >>>> software engineers or computer programmers who all were blind. I met a
> >>>> blind
> >>>> plumber once who did his own pipe soldering (how, I do not know). I met
> >>>>
> >>>> a
> >>>> guy at a Federation convention who had a hum-drum civil service day job
> >>>> but
> >>>> as a hobby was a SCUBA enthusiast. His local police department employed
> >>>> him
> >>>> to search underwater for cars and bodies that had suffered the
> >>>> misfortune
> >>>>
> >>>> of
> >>>> landing in nearby rivers and lakes. It didn't matter to *him* that the
> >>>> water
> >>>> was mirky and he couldn't see six inches in front of his face -- he
> >>>> couldn't
> >>>> anyway! The kicker of all this was that he made more money with his
> >>>> hobby
> >>>> doing that than he did at his day job. I've been kicking myself ever
> >>>> since
> >>>> that I didn't get the guy's name.
> >>>>
> >>>> Once you've decided what interests you, you get on lists such as this
> >>>> one
> >>>> and ask how you could do whatever it is you want to do as a blind
> >>>> person.
> >>>>
> >>>> Or
> >>>> you could write to Dr. Maurer and ask. Every once-in-a-while,
> >>>> Federation
> >>>> officers and rank-and-file members are asked to contact and/or mentor
> >>>> someone who wants to do something but doesn't know how as a blind
> >>>> person
> >>>> and
> >>>> it is known that someone in the Federation does that very thing. The
> >>>> subjects of such inquiry can range from jobs to marching in a high
> >>>> school
> >>>> marching band (some blind folks from Ohio were in the Rose Parade a
> >>>> while
> >>>> back). Mrs. Maurer who had, herself, been in a marching band, answered
> >>>> that
> >>>> query.
> >>>>
> >>>> You could also get in contact with your state's agency rendering rehab
> >>>> and/or other services to the blind. These range from abominable to
> >>>> excellent. In any event, it is part of the mandate of these agencies to
> >>>> provide to you or see to it that you are provided with the skills and
> >>>> knowledge to do what you wish -- and *you* are in the driver's seat
> >>>> here
> >>>> although it may take some convincing of bureaucrats to get them to
> >>>> recognize
> >>>> this.
> >>>>
> >>>> The keys here are a can-do attitude and flexibility.
> >>>>
> >>>> Does this always work? Of course not. But then job-seeking efforts of
> >>>> the
> >>>> sighted don't work always, either. And there's no question but that
> >>>> there
> >>>>
> >>>> is
> >>>> prejudice against the blind (not out of hatred, mostly, but out of
> >>>> misguided
> >>>> kindness). But we in the Federation seek to equip you with the tools
> >>>> and
> >>>> attitudes you'll need to overcome this prejudice.
> >>>>
> >>>> I don't necessarily expect you to put much credence in this answer, at
> >>>> least
> >>>> at first, but there it is.
> >>>>
> >>>> Mike Freeman
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
> >>>> Wolfe
> >>>> Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2013 5:41 AM
> >>>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> >>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Professions on list?
> >>>>
> >>>> cheryl,
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>    I have a question for just like me weren't born blind but became
> >>>> blind later in life. How did you know the right skills or technologies
> >>>> to master in order to know which fields to go into being blind? This
> >>>> is a question that I've puzzled on for a decade that i've found no
> >>>> satisfactory answer for in my circumstance. At one time, I wanted to
> >>>> be an electrician or software engineer or computer science cause of
> >>>> loving to fiddle with things like my father who was a electrical
> >>>> engineer for a utility company in my native Texas. However, my sights
> >>>> are much lower with experience and discouragement of many
> >>>> institutions, indvidiausl and even bios that I've read on NFB, AFB or
> >>>> talking to fellow blind individuals that I gave up on those goals.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>    I'd really appreciate any feedback to the above paragraphy even
> >>>> criticism of it. It bleeds into my second and last question that I've
> >>>> also been puzzled with too. Once you do decide your profession that we
> >>>> all have problems with the skills and tools in our collective
> >>>> professions at times right? How did you overcome or continue to
> >>>> overcome against the odds with the changing nature of technology, the
> >>>> economy and other adverrse situations? Yes, I know the general just
> >>>> seems so hard for us or impossible in whole industries being
> >>>> outsourced or done away in automation or whatever. I don't think its
> >>>> an easy nor exactly fair question but worth throwing out there cause
> >>>> its hard on everyone right now not just the blind. I try to keep this
> >>>> prospective as I pursue employment that isn't that comforting as your
> >>>> denied a job though. I don't mean any of my questions with any
> >>>> disrespect at all just think lots of you come across as idealist or
> >>>> naive on the state of the economy or of what blind people can do in
> >>>> the real economy.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> Thanks,
> >>>> Peter
> >>>>
> >>>> On 3/24/13, cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
> >>>>> Good morning all:
> >>>>> For someone who before losing her vision at 35, I was a college
> >>>>> graduate
> >>>> of
> >>>>> Culinary Arts and also Business.
> >>>>> I didn't pursue the Culinary Arts part of the Profession, but it help
> >>>>> me
> >>>>> learn the proper ways to cook and my family appreciates all the things
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I
> >>>>> made then and now then and restaurant could plus it did help with my
> >>>>> cooking skills after losing my vision doing to smell touch taste,
> >>>>> hearing
> >>>>> when things boil, feeling the heat of the stove and steam, and also
> >>>>> good
> >>>>> knife skills.
> >>>>> The business part always helps in any profession.
> >>>>> For 20+ years even in my late teens, I always worked in an
> >>>>> office/sales
> >>>>> enviroment to help with paying off school. Worked in the field until
> >>>>> 2001
> >>>> as
> >>>>> an Administrative Assistant to the owner/president of a small sales
> >>>> company
> >>>>> here on Long Island for a number of years, until I had to leave due to
> >>>>> medical issues that I eventually lost my vision.
> >>>>> After that I and when I was able to do so and had gotten re-trained by
> >>>>> the
> >>>>> VR Centers here I became the 1st Blind person here on Long Island to
> >>>>> be
> >>>>> a
> >>>>> graduate of one of our prestigage medical billing schools. I worked as
> >>>>>
> >>>>> a
> >>>>> medical biller for one of the large laboratory (Blood and other
> >>>>> testing
> >>>>> companies here on Long Island), and then I started my own business in
> >>>> 2009,
> >>>>> I am a Travel Agent, and as you can read by my signature here, have
> >>>>> been
> >>>>> recognized by my state and Vocational Rehab organizations here in NY
> >>>>> as
> >>>> well
> >>>>> as by Governor Cuomo.
> >>>>> We can be anything we want, it is a matter of learning on how to do
> >>>>> it.
> >>>>> I also share what I dont in the travel industry for us all. I fight
> >>>>> for
> >>>> all
> >>>>> of us, and educate those companies that don't.
> >>>>> Cheryl
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY State
> >>>>> Leading the Way in Independent Travel!SNG Certified - Accessible
> >>>>> Travel
> >>>>> Advocate!Cheryl Echevarria,
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> > 
> Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatrave
> >>>> l.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com2012
> >>>>> Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.
> >>>>> Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
> >>>>> #1018299-10Echevarria Travel and proud member of the National
> >>>>> Federation
> >>>> of
> >>>>> the Blind will be holding a year round fundraiser for the
> >>>>> http://www.NFBNY.org after Hurricane Sandy and other resources. Any
> >>>> vacation
> >>>>> package booked between November 6 2012-November 6, 2013 and vacation
> >>>>> must
> >>>> be
> >>>>> traveled no later than 12/30/2014 a percentage of my earnings will go
> >>>>> to
> >>>> the
> >>>>> affiliate.  Also is you book a Sandals for couples or Beaches for
> >>>>> families
> >>>>> and friends resorts vacation, $100.00 per booking will go to the
> >>>>> affiliate
> >>>>> as well.  You do not need to be a member of the NFB.org, just book
> >>>>> through
> >>>>> us.
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> From: blind411 at verizon.net
> >>>>>> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> >>>>>> Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2013 23:11:56 -0400
> >>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Professions on list?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Peter,
> >>>>>>     There is a wealth of information available on various professions
> >>>>>> blind
> >>>>>> people perform available through the NFB. As for me, I had a
> >>>>>> challenging
> >>>>>> time deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up and, since I have
> >>>>>> not
> >>>> yet
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> grown up, am still deciding! (grin) I have been a professional
> >>>>>> musician
> >>>>>> since I was 16 years old. In my 20s I pursued a career in sales and
> >>>>>> eventually found myself recruiting people to work overseas. After
> >>>>>> saddam
> >>>>>> Hussein invaded Kuwait, the bottom fell out of the overseas
> >>>>>> employment
> >>>>>> market, so I went back to school, got a Bachelor's degree in
> >>>>>> Psychology
> >>>>>> followed by a master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. I
> >>>>>> am
> >>>>>> currently in private practice as a Life coach and Hypnotherapist,
> >>>>>> though
> >>>> I
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> still perform regularly and serve Unity North Tampa as their Music
> >>>>>> Director.
> >>>>>>     When I do my public speaking, whether for the NFB or for kairos
> >>>> Health
> >>>>>> &
> >>>>>> Wellness Center (my private practice, see http://www.KairosHWC.com)
> >>>>>> I
> >>>>>> generally employ music as a tool to engage and underscore my talks. I
> >>>>>> share
> >>>>>> this with you to encourage you to develop several talents and use all
> >>>> your
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> assets as you network with others!
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Fraternally yours,
> >>>>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
> >>>>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
> >>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
> >>>>>> 813-626-2789
> >>>>>> President at NAGDU.ORG
> >>>>>> HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>>>>> From: "Peter Wolfe" <yogabare13 at gmail.com>
> >>>>>> To: <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>>> Sent: Saturday, March 23, 2013 10:57 PM
> >>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Professions on list?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> > Dear fellow NFB-Talk participants,
> >>>>>> >
> >>>>>> >
> >>>>>> >    What professions or careers have you guys or gals done in your
> >>>>>> > lifestime? I'm gearing this question towards those with little to
> >>>>>> > no
> >>>>>> > vision using either screen readers and or braille as their main
> >>>>>> > form
> >>>>>> > of performing the tasks of their personal to professionl
> >>>>>> > livelyhood.
> >>>>>> > I
> >>>>>> > believe that such lists like the Federal Muster or NFB's Jobs list
> >>>>>> > are
> >>>>>> > far too formal and don't facilitate legimate conversations on such
> >>>>>> > topics. Maybe tell about some of your challenges, academic history
> >>>>>> > and
> >>>>>> > advice for blind people to enter your fields. Thank you all so
> >>>>>> > much,
> >>>>>> > so would like to gleam something in counseling or something myself
> >>>>>> > out
> >>>>>> > of this dialogue or abstract coping mechanism or something.
> >>>>>> >
> >>>>>> >
> >>>>>> > Thank you,
> >>>>>> > Peter
> >>>>>> >
> >>>>>> > _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> > 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/blind411%40verizon.net
> >>>>>> >
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>>>> 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/cherylandmaxx%40hotmai
> >>>> l.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/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
> >>>>
> >>>> _______________________________________________
> >>>> 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/k7uij%40panix.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/b.schulz%40sbcglobal.n
> > et
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> 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
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> 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/blind411%40verizon.net
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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/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
>
>_______________________________________________
>blindtlk mailing list
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>for blindtlk:
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