[blparent] Benefits of training

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Pipi,

As stated before, I commend you for seeking nonvisual training. Colorado
has one of the best centers around. It's a lot of hard work and not
everything will be easy in the beginning, but once you graduate, you
will have a huge sense of self-confidence. And learning nonvisual
techniques will allow you to navigate any situation equipped to be as
efficient as possible. If you can use sight, great, but you will also
have another tool at your disposable when necessary.

I once was a partial, and my husband, Ross, has RP, so we both
understand your situation. Ross learned and started using nonvisual
tools and techniques early on because he felt it only enhanced his
ability to accomplish things. I lost my sight very quickly so the
progression was faster than someone like you RP folks, but I have been
there nonetheless. It would have helped me immensely to have had
nonvisual tools available, but I was very ill and recovering from the
virus that took my sight, so I didn't enter a center until I was
essentially a total.

I say all this so you know many of us not only support you but know
first-hand how difficult a choice it is you're making. As the saying
goes, things worth having don't come easy. People can hem and haw about
training and rely solely on certain technology and/or other people to
assist them with certain tasks, but to truly be the most efficient blind
person possible, regardless of vision level, you need to embrace all the
available tools and this includes nonvisual ones. Perhaps this statement
is controversial, but in my experience, those using nonvisual techniques
along with vision, if possible, tend to be more successful at whatever
it is they are trying to accomplish whether it be school, work,
parenting or just plain leisure. Again, I am only speaking from my
individual experience.

So good luck, and please keep the list posted on your entire situation.
I'm rooting for you, girl, grin.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 7
Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:12:50 -0500
From: Pipi <blahblahblah0822 at gmail.com>
To: Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Long overdue update and request for help?
Message-ID: <5058D5C2.6050300 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Sure I can explain. I have RP. I have lost a significant amount of my 
vision recently. I'm at a point where I am no longer able to rely on my 
vision, yet I lack confidence in being a blind person. My job is a dead 
end job as in I'm a live in Nanny. The kids I currently care for are 
reaching an age where they no longer require care. So while I could stay

ehre and hold out with this job for another year maybe 2, then I'm 
unemployed,    CCB without messing with her schooling.
So yes, I will be leaving my jjob to go to CCB
Pipi