[humanser] the homeless blind

Tue Dec 16 03:44:44 UTC 2008

Hi JD and other list members,

I couldn't agree more.  If clinicians who are providing therapy are 
unfamiliar with the NFB philosophy or don't have a positive attitude about 
the potential of blind individuals, vulnerable folks could be receiving 
treatment that is detrimental or damaging.

Mary Ann
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JD Townsend" <43210 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: [humanser] the homeless blind

>
> Hi Mary Ann and Human Service Division Members:
>
> I agree that therapy is not used in blind rehab - most frequently it is
> assumed that mental health issues are not involved, or that a positive NFB
> attitude is sufficient.  We in the field know that the insult of blindness
> adds to the multi-featured structure of our complex cognitive-emotional
> selves as does any other of our personal features.
>
> Frequently blindness rehab counselors feel that they are qualified to
> provide psychotherapy.
>
> In my own therapy blindness has been a minor part of therapy, but a
> significant minor part.  Newly blind folks, or those in rehab centers 
> would
> benefit from a psychotherapy that encompassed the ideas of the NFB
> philosophy while working with the whole person.
>
> Just my little ideas.
>
>
> JD Townsend, LCSW
> Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System
> Helping the light dependent to see.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mary Ann Rojek" <brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>
> To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 8:49 PM
> Subject: Re: [humanser] the homeless blind
>
>
>> Shalom David,
>>
>> I am a social worker in Michigan.  I've worked with some mentally ill
>> blind
>> folks, but one who were homeless.  I know of no system for tracking this
>> data.  It sounds like an area that warrants further exploration.
>>
>> To add to the mix, I also believe that folks who are losing their sight
>> may
>> not be getting adequate therapy for coping with vision loss.
>>
>> Mary Ann Rojek
>> LMSW, ACSW, CAAC
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "David R. Stayer" <davidandloristayer at verizon.net>
>> To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2008 6:57 PM
>> Subject: Re: [humanser] the homeless blind
>>
>>
>>> Shalom.  As we make our recommendtions perhaps something will happen.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "JD Townsend" <43210 at bellsouth.net>
>>> To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2008 10:39 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [humanser] the homeless blind
>>>
>>>
>>>> Shalom David:
>>>>
>>>> I worked with homeless peoples in New York City for many years during
>>>> the
>>>> late 1980's and early 1990's, running programs to house homeless
>>>> mentally
>>>> ill and/or substance addicted populations.  I did work with some deaf
>>>> folks, some wheelchair folks, and with a variety of disabled homeless
>>>> folks;  but, never a blind person.  Until your message the lack of 
>>>> blind
>>>> homeless never struck me.  Where were they?  I did know of many blind
>>>> folks who rented a room in someone's apartment, living off a SSI or SSD
>>>> check;  however they never seem to have made it to the homeless
>>>> shelters.
>>>>
>>>> Now you've done it, given me something new to wonder about!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> JD Townsend, LCSW
>>>> Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System
>>>> Helping the light dependent to see.
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Judith Bron" <jbron at optonline.net>
>>>> To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 9:56 AM
>>>> Subject: [humanser] the homeless blind
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I don't think you can research a group of people based on disability in
>>>>>New York State.  Judith
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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