[humanser] Acknowledge or ignore?

Sat Mar 28 02:47:54 UTC 2009

Hi. I agree with Kari. I don't think there is a need to bring it up, unless 
you sensed someone had the idea that you wouldn't be able to go on your own. 
Bottom line, you need to do what feels most comfortable to you.

Kathy McGillivray
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cari Kness" <minniecat at tds.net>
To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 8:36 AM
Subject: Re: [humanser] Acknowledge or ignore?

> Mary and list,
> As I read this thread, I am reminded of the speech by Dr Jernagan "Nature 
> of Independence" It's been a while since I've read the entire speech but I 
> remember that his point is that whatever works best is ok. Taking an arm 
> in a new or group situation doesn't make you any less independent. It 
> sounds like you enjoyed the tour and got a lot out of it because you did 
> take an arm. If you had gone by yourself you may not have had the same 
> experience because you would be having to pay attention to keeping up and 
> all that other stuff.
>      In my opinion I don't think there is a need to make any issue or 
> write any letters about taking an arm. In that situation you did what made 
> you most comfortable and sounds like you had a good time and made a good 
> impression which is what you want. You cannot control what others think. I 
> think that the letter of thanks you sent is correct. No need to write 
> anything about taking his arm because for you it felt like the right and 
> natural thing to do in that situation. If you get the intern and find 
> yourself there again, you will figure out what feels best for you. When 
> you get the chance, look up Jernagan's speech on the nfb site. I think I 
> have it in braille and will read it myself soon. I wish you success.
> Peace,
> Cari
> At 09:25 PM 3/26/2009, you wrote:
>>David,
>>Thanks for the idea. I did email a thank you note that was more directed 
>>to
>>the supervisor's sense of humor and welcoming spirit. I want to avoid
>>appearing to be a stalker by sending to many emails so, as of this writing 
>>I
>>have not addressed the issue. Maybe I am projected more into the situation
>>than need be. I will admit, part of me wishes I had engaged the topic 
>>while
>>I was there, in the moment. I may send a snail mail note of thanks 
>>offering
>>words of gratitude for his offering an arm in an unfamiliar situation and
>>stating that it is nice to learn a new environment with a seasoned veteran
>>and I hope that I will eventually be part of the ranks of the veterans. I
>>might then offer, "If you have any further questions or comments that I 
>>may
>>answer, please do not hesitate to contact me." This way, if there is any
>>question or issue, I open the opportunity for dialog and, if I am
>>hyperconscious, I won't prompt undue attention.
>>Thanks for your thoughts.
>>Mary
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>Behalf Of David Andrews
>>Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 10:11 PM
>>To: Human Services Mailing List
>>Subject: Re: [humanser] Acknowledge or ignore?
>>
>>You could write him a thank you letter, saying something like I
>>enjoyed meeting you .....  I want to thank you for allowing me to
>>take your arm during the tour.  This arrangement makes for efficient
>>group travel in an unfamiliar area -- although I normally travel
>>unassisted with my long white cane.    ..... or something like that.
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>At 06:47 PM 3/25/2009, you wrote:
>> >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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>
> Love and Peace,
> Cari & Little Minnie Cat
>
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