[Blindtlk] An Update on my Independence

Mon Oct 12 18:49:11 UTC 2015

Sandra

You hit on many factors  that are very very true. You were very blest including having the stubborn tenacity to learn on your own and stand up to your family. That is not generally the case. 

I know when you have that personality, it is kind of difficult to see things in a different way. It seems to me that there are pockets of places here  and there where families are well educated but it also doesn't matter how educated a family is if they don't believe. The stereotypes are so strong that parents are terrified many times still. They think they're going to have the same challenges as raising a child with lower functioning autism or some other cognitive impairment rather than a child who is just wine. There is indeed a lot of work to do to change this.  You certainly were blest. I was raised with the positive philosophy and my family. Getting services was very different story. My Family fought and lost most battles. I commend you for having few lessons and being able to learn so much independently. I certainly was not given that independent study streak. It took me time to learn things and to be honest I am very grateful at this point in time that I still have some vision because I don't know enough braille to handle a job, going back to school for a Masters, or enough other training skills. Therefore I'm a better candidate by how I learn to need the center approach. I was in a bubble during the 70s and 80s when I had support from my family who didn't see me different nor did my school district or the kids I attended school with. It's when I left my hometown to go to college that I met the reality of understanding.Back then also there was no ADA, idea, or other laws to enforce adaptations in the school systems or anywhere really. There was public law 142 and section 508 only. 142 allowed kids for the first time with disabilities to go to public schools which they were not prepared for so I grew up in the guinea pig generation as I call it. 504 or is it 508, is much more limited and both were intended to be a very generic,  nonspecific so people could related to various situations. Of course a lot of people didn't have the right positive attitude so students did not get a lot of   Positive support, hope, and opportunity to even learn what they needed.

To combat this, I am honestly working with the Chamber of Commerce mentoring program in the schools to adapt their program for the other kids who are already lined up with a mentor. We are doing just this, to have a person with a disability mentor the student and the family. As time goes by I will try to share, but right now things are in the beginning stages. Families need to see successful adults who happened to have disabilities and from the beginning have a bright positive future for their child. In the long run, I hope it changes the opportunities for employment and the attitudes in general about people with disabilities. 

Ericka Short
"Friends are like flowers in the garden of life"

Sent from my iPhone

> On Oct 12, 2015, at 10:47 AM, S L Johnson via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Roanna:
> 
> I've seen your posts before.  I am glad you are striving to gain 
> independence. I'll have to admit that I do not understand.  What is so hard 
> about ordering and paying for your own lunch?  Have you been so 
> over-protected that you were never given the chance to do these things for 
> yourself?  I lost my sight at age 17.  I taught myself to read Braille while 
> recovering from the failed surgery.  After just a few lessons from an O&M 
> instructor, I immediately began traveling independently with a cane and 
> finished my junior and senior years of high school then went on to college. 
> I am not sure why you did not have that same of independence. I've never 
> attended any kind of rehab center or training since loosing my sight.  Is it 
> common for people to struggle so much to become independent?  Is it fear 
> that prevents someone from learning the skills that are necessary to be a 
> functional blind person?  If so, what can be done to make sure all blind 
> people can gain their independence after loosing sight?  My family tried to 
> stop me but, I stood up to them.  Is it a problem of families being too 
> over-protective and not letting the blind person do anything by themselves? 
> If so, then obviously some families need to be given more information about 
> how blind people can lead productive independent lives.  Is there any kind 
> of mentoring programs where those of us who have gone through loosing sight 
> and become independent can help others adjust to their vision loss?  This 
> topic has always bothered me because being independent was never a problem 
> for me and I truly don't understand why it is a problem for other people.
> 
> Sandra
> 
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: River Linda via blindtlk
> Sent: Sunday, October 11, 2015 6:31 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Cc: River Linda
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] An Update on my Independence
> 
> Hi Roanna,
> 
> That is great. I am following your updates because it is inspirational to
> me. One day I will get the courage to do the same things you are doing. God
> bless!
> 
> On Sunday, October 11, 2015, Roanna Bacchus via blindtlk <
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>> Dear Members,
>> 
>> I just wanted to give you an update on my independence.  Two weeks ago I
>> found my way from the parking lot to the UCF library.  I also ordered and
>> paid for my lunch at the cafe.  These are small steps toward improving my
>> independence.
>> 
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