[Home-on-the-range] sharp knives

Wed Oct 17 16:22:32 UTC 2012

...it's often what we would refer to as the "small things" that surprise us much less the really big things. What we would consider "small" as a competent person in the kitchen where using a butter cutter seems easy and very doable , others visualize cut off fingers/! So how are we to seek " permission" to even do the little things much less something big...like being an employee? I've had a similar experience this year and have been contemplating what to do about it. As some of you may recall my under grad degree was in teaching fitness (PE). For many years I taught children beginning ballet, tap, etc. I also worked for a number of recreation centers leading adult fitness  classes...anyway, I am quite qualified to lead fitness classes. My Senior Center has had a lot of turn over with their instructors...they come for a while and then move on or the senior's don't like them and complain. Remember that the class costs only $1. and our ladies are just not happy about one or another of them. In January I called the Center's director and told her my credentials and that I would volunteer to facilitate the morning classes free of charge. The only consideration was that I would miss due to travel with my husband throughout the year. The only other option offered the gals, was to run videos  for them to follow...It has now been 10 months and there is still a Monday and Friday class without a leader. I am currently enrolled in water aerobic, cardio fitness, tap dance, Yoga,  Zumba classes and many of the ladies come to me when they aren't getting some movement. Several of the ladies have gone to the director to talk to her about my offering to facilitate classes with no response. I can't think of any other reason for not taking me up on my offer than their fear of my blindness...It's frustrating... We've all had these disappointments- what have you all done when people don't let you do some more or less simple task that they seem to want to  find someone  to do - just not you...Dianne

On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:47 AM, Cindy Ray wrote:

> Well, two things. Things are only marginally better. Christine won that contest; yet last May when I tried to help in the kitchen at church, they were afraid I would cut my hand ... on a butter cutter. Now I don't know if you all have seen one of those, but it is a hinged device inside of which you put the pound stick of butter. The top half you bring down. It has wires in it kind of like those wire cheese cutters, only these are actually more substantial. You draw the top down over the butter and, if the butter is cold enough, you get pats. They were afraid I might cut myself on it. REALLY?
> 
> Last week one of the webinars that Hadley School for the Blind was one featuring Christine. We received that one brief video that David Andrews sent us that had to do with the pie. The one chef told her she needed to believe in herself, and I think as I recall she was in tears. It was a moving moment.
> 
> Cindy
> 
> On Oct 17, 2012, at 7:30 AM, Stanzel, Susan - FSA, Kansas City, MO wrote:
> 
>> I have never watched that show. When is it on. I am looking forward to retirement when I also can do more reading. Every single day I am challenged at work. I like hearing more about what folks are doing, but it doesn't seem to translate into more folks getting jobs. Jobs is where the rubber meets the road.
>> 
>> Susie
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Home-on-the-range [mailto:home-on-the-range-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dianne Hemphill
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2012 7:19 AM
>> To: NFB of Kansas Internet Mailing List
>> Subject: [Home-on-the-range] sharp knives
>> 
>> Good morning federationists...as I listened to this weeks Matilda Ziegler (News Line), I continued to be reminded at how the NFB  and the "white cane laws" have continued to change our lives. Recently, for example, Christine Ha, a totally blind woman, won first place on the "Master Chef". This is a T.V. show featuring non-professional chefs competing for very coveted awards. Jack and I tuned into it as much as possible. Christine did us proud...her posture was positive and erect, she used her long white cane , and she never let her lack of vision  to make excuses . She  went forward using her skills to  her ability to create and replicate masterful pieces from touch and taste. Starting with 100 contestants, when narrowed down to 3, three world renowned chefs , were brought into judge. The French chef, when asked if he thought much about Christine's blindness, brushed off the somewhat leading question by responding that any good chef must be able to cook with their eyes closed. Christine's interview is featured in this weeks MZ where her first recommendation for cooks is to have really sharp knives. This is followed by being very organized...this week's MZ also has stories about blind comedians and blind participating in tandem bike riders in New York. Several articles  focus on whether the word "blind" sufficiently  addresses the spectrum of vision loss  and other thought provoking stories. Do you use "sharp knives", ride tandem  bikes for pleasure or racing...do you think the blind is making progress by entering and sometimes winning the challenges in life... I think we have for many decades now been given the right to try new things by the persistence of our visionary leaders.  We can  compete now on terms of equality and, just like everyone else, have the opportunity tottery new things and not just sit on the side lines dreaming for the day...the day is here. What challenges have you given yourself the internal "push" to do that you might not have done in prior years? Dianne _______________________________________________
>> Home-on-the-range mailing list
>> Home-on-the-range at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Home-on-the-range:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org/susan.stanzel%40kcc.usda.gov
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Home-on-the-range mailing list
>> Home-on-the-range at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Home-on-the-range:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Home-on-the-range mailing list
> Home-on-the-range at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Home-on-the-range:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/home-on-the-range_nfbnet.org/diannehemphill%40cox.net