[Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want

sandy schleich saschleich7 at gmail.com
Sat Jan 18 21:44:33 UTC 2020 

I did not know that we had a volunteer division. I will have to look into
that. Since I am still looking for a job, I have been doing volunteer work
with a few different places.

I don’t understand what the purpose is behind the sleep shades. I can
understand why someone who is sighted would try them. Someone who is
sighted and uses sleep shades only gets a taste of what it is like for us
who are blind, but what purpose does it serve for someone who is already
low vision? Unless a person with low vision is going to lose the rest of
their usable vision over time, then the shades are good to help them get
use to what it will be like when their vision is gone in the future, but
for those of us who are not in danger of this should not be required to use
the shades and be able to use the vision that they have. Like someone else
said, we should be able to use all the tools in our toolbox, and if some
vision is one of those tools they should be able to use it. I disagree with
the analogy about going to a college and saying you want to graduate but
don’t want to use the books that are required for the classes. Going to the
center is not the same thing as taking classes in college for a degree.
>From what I understand, people go to the centers to learn how to do things
as a blind person so they can be an independent blind person. Making a
person who has useable vision that is not in danger of loosing that usable
vision in the future does not need to learn how to do things totally blind.
They should be taught how to do things with the tools they have and if
useable vision is one of those tools than they should be able to use it. I
have useable vision, and I use my vision for some things, and there are
things I can’t use my vision for because it is too difficult, so I have
learned to do those things a different way that doesn’t involve vision. I
did not need sleep shades to learn to do this I just needed a good teacher.


On Sat, Jan 18, 2020 at 3:27 AM Dianna Alley via Colorado-Talk <
colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> That is one person's opinion.  I can live the life I want myself without
> sleep shades.  I have done it 38 years now, but to each their own.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Bryan
> Baldwin via Colorado-Talk
> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2020 7:51 PM
> To: NFB of Colorado Discussion List <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Bryan Baldwin <blindside59 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
>
> Hey there, it's your friendly neighborhood travel instructor.
>
> As someone who has over 2,000 hours of sleep shade experience I know how
> irritating they can be.
>
> We offer people bandanas to put under for comfort, as well as you have the
> option to find something nice to place under them.
>
> And at the end of the day, being uncomfortable for 9 months is worth the
> lifetime of freedom it gives you.
>
> I don't wear sunglasses and generally don't like things on my face. But I
> won't let irritation stand between me and the life I want to live.
>
> We now return to your regularly scheduled programming.
>
> Bryan Baldwin
>
> > On Jan 17, 2020, at 6:21 PM, Pipi Adams via Colorado-Talk <
> colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >
> > Jenny,
> > Have you talked to Julie about training and the sleep shades?
> >
> > Sincerely,
> > Pipi Adams
> >
> >> On Jan 16, 2020, at 4:05 PM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <
> colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi there,
> >>
> >> Sleep shades are not an option for me. I cannot have anything on my
> face, hence the reason I don’t wear sunglasses even though I have light
> sensitivity.
> >>
> >> I think that is a Accommodation that should be made for those of us who
> can’t do it.
> >>
> >> Why should we miss the chance to have an NFB training just because we
> can’t we are sleep shades? Just a thought.
> >>
> >> What is adjustment training. I haven’t received that either.
> >>
> >> Jenny
> >>
> >> Sent from my iPhone
> >>
> >>>> On Jan 11, 2020, at 10:28 AM, Maryann Migliorelli via Colorado-Talk <
> colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Hi Jenny, it is absolutely worth a conversation to talk to Julie or
> someone at the center and explain what things you believe you can want to.
> The centers certainly are able to adjust the requirements to meet
> somebody’s needs. As far as things like sleep, shades it’s best to think of
> them as just part of the curriculum. You couldn’t go to a college and say
> ”I want to graduate but I don’t want to use the textbook you’re providing.”
> I’m not saying this specifically to you but the others were thinking about
> canes and sleep shades. I think about it like attending the physics class
> and saying, ”That’s great, but I don’t want to use the physics textbook you
> have.”  It wouldn’t be accepted.   Most people do have some  choices about
> which centers  too attend.You can choose a Center anywhere in the country
> if you can justify why you need that over another place. It is not easy,
> but it is part of the freedom of choice act.
> >>> On another subject entirely I’m very proud to hear of your volunteer
> accomplishments. Are you aware that we have a community service division?
> It sounds like something you should really consider joining. Any of the
> activities are by    phone.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Being a homemaker is certainly a good profession, even though
> vocational rehab doesn’t consider it so. There used to be a time when their
> were services or people whowork at home taking care of families. Perhaps we
> can look into that again as an organization and ensure that Blind parents
> are able to get skills that they need and technology that facilitates then
> being at home.
> >>> Scott, please think as I do that using assistance and crossing cards
> >>> is certainly a choice. There certainly is an opposite choice which
> >>> is much less desire such as staying home or completely relying on
> >>> somebody to do what you need for you. Either way living the life you
> >>> want  is about making your own choices instead of having somebody
> >>> make them for you
> >>>
> >>> I apologize for the length of the message and several subjects, but I
> wanted to get them all in while I am making the choice to ride a greyhound
> from New York City to Albany. Have a wonderful day.
> >>> At your service,
> >>> Sent from Maryann Migliorelli's iPhone
> >>>
> >>>>> On Jan 9, 2020, at 5:58 AM, Jenny Perdue via Colorado-Talk <
> colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Hi Melissa, I enjoyed your comments greatly.
> >>>>
> >>>> Yes you’re told the requirements for CCB, but if you can’t be under
> sleep shade, if there are things that you can’t do. You shouldn’t just be
> booted out because you don’t meet the requirements.
> >>>>
> >>>> I thought if anyone the NFB‘s Colorado Center for the blind would be
> Accommodating and such as that. I have never called, because honestly, all
> the centers for the blind sound like their run very similarly and I don’t
> think that I would really be able to do it.
> >>>>
> >>>> Everybody doesn’t fit in a box. And that includes those of us with
> multiple health problems.
> >>>>
> >>>> I am so grateful for this Dialogue, conversation. Thank everybody for
> being so wonderful and understanding. Even the thoughts that we don’t agree
> on, we can still respect them.
> >>>>
> >>>> Jenny
> >>>>
> >>>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>>
> >>>>>> On Jan 7, 2020, at 7:15 PM, Melissa R. Green via Colorado-Talk <
> colorado-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> First, thank you Scott. For sharing your views and the background.
> >>>>> Now, I will share my thoughts, and then continue to comment and
> read, as webbl as live the life I want.
> >>>>> Growing up, I got little mentions of the NFB. Like many I got the
> little callendars in braille. My teachers would give it to me.' as a gift.
> >>>>> I didn't really know about the NFB until 1992.
> >>>>> I had made up my mind that I was not going to be in any more
> organizations. I was leaving the ACB. I was done.
> >>>>> So I sat at the table with my aunt and a couple of people that I had
> met. While Peggy Pinder, at that time, walked around the room, and my aunt
> whispering in my ear about her.
> >>>>> I didn't like it. But, Peggy came over and spent time with me.
> >>>>> Thats where I met my cousin who was a leader in the federation. I
> did join.
> >>>>> I read the braille monitor. I kept reaning it when I moved back to
> NewJersey.
> >>>>> No matter how depressed or upset I got about the commission not
> helping me, I stikl kept reading the braille monitor, and teaching myself
> things like computers.
> >>>>> As well as talking with my cousin. Him encouraging and listening and
> making suggestions.
> >>>>> One day I got a cabbl, from Mrs. Maurer. She told me about the
> centers. I got a better response from Diane Mcgeorge.
> >>>>> Smile! We started working me getting to CCB.
> >>>>> After, the NFB of NJ president, joined the reverend moon church, and
> lots ot talks with Duncan, and asked to consider mo"ing to Colorado.
> >>>>> I moved and yes as the youngest, my mom came with me. I got flack
> for that, but it worked out.
> >>>>> For me it was more than river rafting, cooking a big meal, and rock
> climbing. I learned that the center gives you choices and the training is
> tools in my tool box.
> >>>>> We had many students that had other disabilities. Their program
> >>>>> was indevidualized. The staff worked to help these students. One
> >>>>> student had a stroke. It was other diffeculties that were
> >>>>> hendering her, the staff didn't kick her to the can-rb, they found
> >>>>> other programs for her. Nother student graduated and recieved his
> >>>>> bell. I tell you all of this because, CCB will try, and sometimes
> >>>>> they have a comversation about if this program will work for the
> >>>>> person. As someone that is human, I get tired of people blaming
> >>>>> the center for the program. You are told the requirements, and if
> >>>>> not, then it
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> 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: Scott C. LaBarre via Colorado-Talk
> >>>>> <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>> To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
> >>>>> Date: 01/07/2020 5:02 pm
> >>>>> Subject: [Colorado-Talk] my thoughts on living the life you want
> >>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> First of all, I want to wish everyone here a very happy new year!
> My hope is that 2020 will be outstanding for all of us.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Next, I want to thank Jenny for raising the topic of what our
> tagline "live the life you want!" really means.  I appreciate everyone's
> thoughtful comments about how it should be interpreted and implemented.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Before I delve into the substance of my comments, I want to give
> you a little  background which helps to form my perspective.  I first
> joined the NFB in 1986, and I have had the honor and privilege of being a
> very active member and leader on many different levels.  As part of that
> experience, I served on a committee which was formed in 2013, maybe even
> late 2012, whose purpose was to develop our plan for celebrating the 75th
> Anniversary of the Federation.  After some discussion, we decided that it
> was time to rebrand our messaging so that we could more effectively
> communicate who we are.  One part of that rebranding was changing our
> tagline from  "we are changing what it means to be blind" to the current
> "live the life you want!"  Beyond just the tagline, we developed a
> comprehensive brand architecture which has many elements that would serve
> as an excellent focal point for future discussions.  In any event, I
> mention all this because I think I have some idea of what we intended
> regarding the message we were attempting to  communicate.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Ever since I have been involved in the NFB, there has been this
> conception that the NFB only supports and celebrates the "super blind" and
> that if you don't go about blindness in a very specific manner, you are not
> really living the life the NFB endorses.  I emphatically and whole
> heartedly believe that this misconception is not true!  There is no such
> thing as a model Federationist, and there certainly is not one, singular
> script from which we must all lead our lives.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> The idea of "live the life you want!" is that your blindness should
> not hold you back from pursuing your dreams and ambitions.  Undeniably all
> of our dreams and ambitions  are limited and somewhat governed by the
> realities we face, whether those are financial, educational, , health
> based, or otherwise.  There is no one way to live the life you want.  It
> doesn't matter if you are pursuing a high stakes profession, working from
> home, volunteering in the community, or not working at all.  Our main
> message is that whatever you are doing with       your life, your blindness
> should not be the chief reason holding you back from whatever brings you
> fulfillment and purpose in life.  Our one minute message, another creation
> of our rebranding, brings this point out.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> "The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not
> the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back."
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> A key part of this message is that we are raising expectations.
> That has both an external and internal aspects to it.  On the external
> side, we are working to convince the general population that they can and
> should expect more from us.  All of us often run into very low expectations
> held by the public.  Pretty much every time I travel to and through an
> airport somebody tells me how amazing I am for simply putting one foot in
> front of another.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> On the internal side, we should encourage one another to become the
> best versions of ourselves that we can.  Doing so must always be done with
> love and understanding.  Every year that I am in the Federation, I learn so
> much from our members on how I can lead my life in a better way, a new
> technology trick or something that enhances my independent travel or
> whatever it might be.  I certainly haven't figured it all out, and I know
> that some times I do in fact let my blindness limit me in a way that isn't
> truly necessary.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Regardless, we must accept people where they are in their lives and
> be ready to encourage them to achieve more when that is appropriate.  This
> is what we aim to do at our centers.  We work with people from all walks of
> life and who have a wide variety of challenges.  No student's program is or
> should be the same.  We have some general policies and expectations, but
> same are always adjusted to the individual student.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Living the life you want is all about independence and freedom.  As
> our founder Dr. tenBroek so eloquently  put it, we have a right to live in
> the world.  That means we have the right to be free and independent and to
> determine our own destiny.  The exact mechanism we use to achieve that
> freedom and independence is not the key issue, but rather that we  know and
> believe that we have the right to achieve it.  I think the Federation's
> best speech regarding independence is the Nature of Independence by Dr.
> Jernigan from the 1993 Convention.  If you haven't read it, I encourage
> that you do so.    It is available through our national website.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Before closing this out, I want to address another point Jenny
> raised in her original message, the idea that perhaps we some times focus
> and emphasize success stories based on traditional notions of success and
> that we don't celebrate other forms of achievement.  I think this is a
> great point, and we should endeavor to paint a more comprehensive picture.
> Convincing an animal shelter to let you volunteer despite your blindness is
> just as important as someone winning a national scholarship based on
> academic achievement at the highest level.  Both are part of living the
> life we want.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> In closing, I want to share two other element from our brand
> architecture, the Brand Promise and Value Proposition.  I do this because,
> for me, it so eloquently sums up why I am involved in our Federation.
> "Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into
> reality.  I am filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the
> National Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my
> contributions make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate
> the realization of my dreams with my Federation family."
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Warmly,
> >>>>>> Scott
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> _______________________________________________
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> >>>>
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