[humanser] Acknowledge or ignore?

[JD Townsend]

Hi Mary and All:


Not silly, but a real concern and an excellent question.

The initial impression we make is essential in our employment efforts. 
Should that impression show us as fearlessly independent we will not be seen 
as a team member.  Should we show ineptness by bumping into a chair or 
taking a turn into a blind alley we will be seen as inept.  Should we take 
the arm and use the opportunity to form a relationship, I think so.  Having 
a dog guide use the follow command or following an individual or group by 
ear using a white cane would not give you access to staff or allow you to be 
a full part of the group.

Kenneth Jernnigan had excellent white cane skills, but preferred the elbow 
as it offered him the freedom to use the walk time more productively.  Some 
blind people felt that he was not living up to NFB ideals in doing so, but 
he got where he was going and got his business done as well.

I understand the desire to make the impression of oneself as competent and 
able, but we are blind (even those with a little bit of sight) and it isn't 
something to hide or apologize for;  taking advantage of the offered elbow 
accepts the disability but doesn't make one look incompetent.  Often in 
groups I choose to follow different elbows at different times, allowing me 
to get to know different people better, especially those more retiring 
folks.  Most people like the company and the opportunity to try the blind 
guide experience.  The issue of ability and competency comes from our words 
and attitudes, not from how we travel

Best of luck in getting this externship.  It sounds like an excellent 
opportunity.


JD Townsend, LCSW
Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System
Helping the light dependent to see.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mary Chappell" <mtc5 at cox.net>
To: "'Human Services Mailing List'" <humanser at nfbnet.org>; 
<bblind-counselors at topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 7:47 PM
Subject: [humanser] Acknowledge or ignore?


> Hoping you all can help me with a dilemma that may appear silly but, it's
> heavy on my mind.
> Recently, I went to an interview for a year-long, extern training 
> experience
> at a state psychiatric hospital. I currently work on a psychiatric unit at 
> a
> research hospital. 7 Other candidates were also there. So, day begins with 
> a
> panel interview with 2 of the 10 supervisory clinicians with whom I'll be
> working. Following that, there is an group tour where all candidates come
> together to tour the facility, a large, multi unit facility with 6 
> separate
> wings and a series of locked units and external courtyards.
>
> When the group tour was beginning, the tour guide, another supervisor who
> heads up the assessment tasks and is the Director of Training, asked me if
> I'd like to take his arm and tour the facility. In the moment part of me
> wanted to decline, lest the perception be that I am unable to negotiate 
> the
> facility on my own, but, for efficiency I accepted, thanking him for"front
> row seats". The tour went well, I laughing and joking with the supervisor,
> discussing aspects of the therapeutic milieu, patient challenges, and
> training opportunities. All felt like it went well. Down to the moments 
> when
> I was leaving the interview and the same supervisor was in the exit way 
> with
> another candidate who was asking a question. As I was going through the
> supervisor stopped me and asked me to be in touch. Long story short, I 
> felt
> content with the experience, that is, until I reflected on it. I am
> wondering if I should address the sighted-guide issue and my capacity for
> independence and autonomy. Part of me feels like I should, in some way
> emphasize my comfort in negotiating the facility on my own and another 
> part
> of me feels I would be magnifying something that need not be an issue.
>
> I work on a unit and have had no problems in the past... Any thoughts? Do 
> I
> say something or do I leave it alone? They will be interviewing on three
> other dates and will decide on 3 trainees for the next academic year.
> Decisions will be made on April 13. Let me know your thoughts.
> Mary
>
>
>
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