[Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want

Melissa R. Green graduate56 at juno.com
Fri Jan 10 15:35:57 UTC 2020 

Thank you for sharing your story Anahit.




Have a enjoyable and blessed day.
Sincerely, 
Melissa R.  Green and Pj 
"If you have a goal, make it something you strive to accomplish. If you have a hope, then hope for it with all your heart.  

----- Original Message -----
From: Anahit LaBarre via Colorado-Talk  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List  <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Date: 01/09/2020 11:53 pm
Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want

>
>
> Greetings everyone. 
> I would like to take a moment and wish all of you a very Happy and a healthy New Year! It has been very informative to read all of the thoughts and ideas shared on this thread. My story and my take is quite different from many of you. I came from a country where there are no opportunities for people with any kind of disability or limitation, or differences, for that matter. So, while we have a long journey ahead of us to reach full equality in our society here, we have so much available to us. So, what does Living the life I want mean to me? It is complex but yet very simple. It means I have the knowledge, the tools and the ability to make a choice. Every day I tell myself, as well as my students, that we are all human. And the complexity and beauty of it is that we WILL make mistakes, we will choose wrong at times. But We have the right and the opportunity to make those choices. No one organization, workplace, social group or school environment can possibly be right for everyone. There are things you might disagree with in the way things are done. However, I choose to focus on the strengths and the aspects that will support my beliefs and ideas. If I find that at its core an organization or a work space aligns with my values, if I find that I can gain from it, as well as add to it, if I find that with a productive dialogue we can make things better, I choose to belong. Does this mean that I agree with everything that is ever said or done? Not necessarily. But we come again to the power of choice and the fact that I chose to belong here, I chose to make this my home. So this means I will share, in a productive way, what my thoughts are, I will contribute what I can at the time needed. This is what is so crucially important to me. As a person who grew up in a place where choices were made for me, I value the freedom to make my own decisions, to discuss openly, to be productive and to turn criticism into an opportunity for improvement, while appreciating all that is positive and available to me. Hope this helps. And yes, we all make mistakes, yes, we all make the wrong choice at times. But we sure try. Having. Supportive and constructive environment helps create opportunities for a better future, for collaboration and for a workplace or an organization where care and vision for a greater good prevails. My commitment is to have compassion, to listen and to problem solve together. But making a choice on a daily basis is up to me. There are hard days, where just getting out and facing the world seems almost impossible. It is on those days that we need to work hard to focus on the positive and what we have. It will help us get through the day. We need to focus on what makes us strong, unique and what we have to share with this world. And when the brighter tomorrow comes, we can extend a hand to a friend in need. Before we ask of others to see our worth, we find it ourselves. It looks different to everyone. I value honesty, kindness and loyalty. So i focus on that for myself. Or at least I try. None of those core values are achievement-based but they are important to me. Find what makes you strong! We all have a gift to share. Thank you to all of those who have contributed. Please do stay active, bring productive ideas and thoughts, stay involved on a local level and make a difference for yourself and for others. Once we chose a home, let's make it stronger! Hope everyone has a very good weekend. 
> 
> Warmly on this not very warm night :were 
> Anahit
> 
> Sent from a mobile device 
> 
> 
> > On Jan 9, 2020, at 6:38 PM, Diane McGeorge via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> > 
> > "Thank you, scott, you are obviously a thoughtful man and think carefully before you write on this list.
> > If you follow this list, I urge you to read what Scott LaBarre, contributed.  As far as I know, he has stated what the motto really means.  
> > I have been a member of NFB longer than most of you have been alive and have gained so much through becoming active and continue to do so.
> > 
> > Jenny, apparently your first encounter withus was not what you hoped for.  I encourage you tolearnmore and come back.  At my very firstnational convention, I was so overwhelmed by all the people and all the highly educated and daccomplished people that were there, that I feltpretty inadequate.  But I met many people who welcomed me warmly and encourage me to come again.  Of course I wasn't brave enough to tell anybody exceptmy husband how overwhelmed I felt.  Fortunately, he had been active longer than I and also encouraged me to continue andnot give up.
> > 
> > I certainly have done that and enjoyed every minute because of the people I have meet and of course of all the accomplishments we have made which have benefitted thousands of people who we will probably never know about.  
> > 
> > As for the centers we have established again throughout the country, we have been able to change lives all over the world.
> > If it had not been for the NFB, these centers would not have come into being.
> > I know the first directors well and do know Jennifer Kennedywho is now director at BLIND Inc., and I know from personal experience we were all encouraged so much by all of you whether we met you personally or not.
> > 
> > WelleaI have gone on way toolong butI know that NFB has changed countless lives and encouraged everyone to "live the life you want", and that is a very individual choice for each person.
> > 
> > Best wishes to everyone
> > Diane McGeorge
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Scott Davert via Colorado-Talk
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 3:26 PM
> > To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: Scott Davert <scottdavert at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
> > 
> > Perhaps I've just not been following the NFB closely enough, but I've always thought the Moro was a bit more general. As in, live the life you want to live, whatever that may be. Shrugs.
> > As for insurance companies and coverage, they generally will cover contact lendses and eye glasses. Most do not cover hearing aids at all. Like Doula, I shelled out 8 grand to just be able to hear in my environment. It was no easy task, having to sell a lot of things and to compromise so much, but that's what I had to do. Not to mention paying a loan for the remainder of my balance. What would someone who doesn't have the ability to even finance stuff do? When you have no vision, if there is a chance you can get some of your hearing to use in your environment, I think a lot of people go for it. I could go on and on about issues facing the deaf-blind population, but it's not so relevant to folks on this list.
> > I agree that a prescribed way of living is very narrow minded. I've caught a lot of criticism for using street crossing cards to get assistance from the  public in crossing streets due to my lack of directional hearing. Such criticism has turned me away from the organization, though I still try to do my part to educate and support people regardless of whether they think I'm indepdent or not. I'm mostly living the life I want, but perhaps not the one that is typical of whatever ideas and ideals others may have about my life.
> > 
> > Just my perspective,
> > Scott
> > 
> > 
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > 
> >> On Jan 7, 2020, at 5:03 PM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >> 
> >> Well, that is my mistake. I thought that they covered what someone needed for hearing aids.
> >> 
> >> I was definitely wrong about that, I apologize for assuming that, and I'm glad to learn something every day :com)
> >> 
> >> Jenny
> >> 
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >> 
> >>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 12:44 PM, Doula Jarboe via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>> 
> >>> his  What insurance do you know of that covers hearing aids?  At least the type that fits that person's hearing loss requirements, and not just what little bit the company thinks is sufficient?  I've had to pay out of pocket for my own hearing aids to have what I need, and it's just as expensive as assistive technology.  To give you an idea, one of my hearing aids cost 3500 dollars, and they are supposed to be replaced every 3 to 5 years.  Yes, there are programs out there for people who are low income, but otherwise, it's similar to obtaining assistive technology for blind people.
> >>> 
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk
> >>> Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 2:10 AM
> >>> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >>> Cc: Jenny Perdue <jlperdue3 at gmail.com>
> >>> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] Thoughts on Living the Life You Want
> >>> 
> >>> No one's asking to be babied. I'm just asking to be just as celebrated as someone who's bringing in thedoe 
> >>> 
> >>> That's not called Coddling or handholding.
> >>> 
> >>> The militant stuff from the NFB is a reason that a lot of people don't join. Instead of being militant. Why don't we give a hand up instead of telling people what they should do and they're not giving them any help to do it.
> >>> 
> >>> Some of us for neurological reasons cannot be under sleep shade. Yet, the singers don't care. Some of us have physical issues and need to concentrate on what we need to concentrate on as far as the things that we need to learn. It's not one size fit oh. But it seems like if you can't to sleep shade, and you can't learn to make a meal for 60 people. You don't get the opportunity to go to the centers.
> >>> 
> >>> Yes, you have learned to advocate, you have learned to be militant, you have learned all those things. Some of us have had to figure out everything on their own.
> >>> 
> >>> some of us got stuck in the boonies with abusive parents that could beat you in the front yard and nobody would care.
> >>> 
> >>> I'm sorry, I didn't have time to be militant and fight for my rights. I was happy if I didn't get a beat down once a week. Does anybody take that into consideration, do you take that into consideration. I had no advocate, I had to do everything on my own. A lot of us have.
> >>> 
> >>> So instead of telling us what we should do I'm just leaving us her own devices. If you're successful. How about giving a hand up instead of telling us what we should do and how we should do it in a militant way.
> >>> 
> >>> Besides, I'm sorry, but being militant and beating people over the head with what we in the NFB think we deserve. Does not make the blind community look any better. In fact, it makes us look entitled, rude, and disrespectful. No one has to count out to us. Even though we're blind. And in the NFB.
> >>> 
> >>> We fight so hard for legislature for accessible appliances, etc. Do we fight for those of us who cannot physically work but still need services. Can't we fight to change the legislature that says that if you don't work or go to school you can't get help. Why don't we fight for people who need this to. Not just the big cases that make a splash.
> >>> 
> >>> Why don't we fight for minimum wage payments via Social Security disability for those of us who cannot work legitimately.
> >>> 
> >>> Why don't we fight to be able to get certain equipment without all the hassle in the world. You can advocate for yourself all you want to. When the government does with the government does, and you have a legitimate need to be reliant on that. And you don't even make minimum-wage when everybody knows that equipment for us is really expensive. Not covered by insurance. Oh, that's something we can be militant about. Try to get entrance companies to have to cover our equipment, just like the cover wheelchairs and hearing aids.
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> 
> >>> Jenny
> >>> 
> >>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>> 
> >>>> On Jan 6, 2020, at 2:56 PM, Eric Calhoun via Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>>> 
> >>>> "I am compelled to respond on living the life I want.  If you are 
> >>>> working, you are possessing skills that help you work.  NFB doesn't 
> >>>> see that in everybody.  I am not going to work because someone tells 
> >>>> me that I need to, I want to.  Same with blind training centers'  I am 
> >>>> further along than most folks, and I don't need to rock climb or river 
> >>>> raft, I've done this as a child.  Anyone who knows Braille Institute 
> >>>> or the Foundation for the Junior Blind (Wayfinder Family Services for
> >>>> the Blind) knows that they don't need to be coddled, belittled, or 
> >>>> made fun of.  At nearly 46, (birthday is March
> >>>> 21,) I've been taught by NFB to be militant, self-reliant, and 
> >>>> self-sufficient.  I will not hold someone's hand and coddle them; I 
> >>>> will give them tough love.  When I went to the Utah State Convention, 
> >>>> I saw 3
> >>>> things: (1) blind people in action, (2) empowerment, and (3) a chance 
> >>>> to go beyond blindness.  My Federation friends, NFB can only give us 
> >>>> pointers, we must shine, not let people baby us.  You do not have to 
> >>>> work to live the life you want.  You must grow, you must pray, you must live.
> >>>> 
> >>>> Living The Life I Want,
> >>>> 
> >>>> Eric
> >>>> ..
> >>>> 
> >>>> ..
> >>>> 
> >>>> Happy 2020.  Eric on Facebook: eric at pmpmail.com; click on: Works for 
> >>>> God, the Heavenly Father.  Want friends from all walks of life?  My 
> >>>> group, Pen Pals, Prayer Requests, and more with Eric Calhoun, at 
> >>>> https://www.facebook.com/groups/631397660379317/
> >>>> 
> >>>> ..
> >>>> 
> >>>> Love Labradors?  P fease join my Facebook Group, Loving Labs, 
> >>>> athttps://www.facebook.com/groups/2207028296232736/
> >>>> 
> >>>> Peace on earth!  Goodwill to men!
> >>>> 
> >>>> ..
> >>>> 
> >>>> God bless you all!
> >>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>> 
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> >> 
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