[humanser] the homeless blind

Tue Dec 16 13:41:14 UTC 2008

I think the opposite might also be true.  Sometimes therapists might believe
something is related to blindness when it is not and concentrate too much on
this characteristic when giving therapy.  Too little attention is not a good
thing, but neither is too much.  If something is related to my blindness, or
might be related, I'd love to explore this in therapy.  But, to me, if
everything I say is met with a "that's probably because you're blind"
response, I need to find a new therapist.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mary Ann Rojek
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 10:45 PM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] the homeless blind

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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