[humanser] Questions
Denise Shaible
denise.shaible at att.net
Mon Jun 23 22:24:24 UTC 2014
Amy,
I sent you an e-mail about sleep shades but, I forgot to mention that you
can go to a center as I did for 2 or 3 days to see if it's for you. That
takes some of the overwhelming feelings out of it. I believe it's
overwhelming because you're challenged in so many ways and if you've never
been to a center and have heard things about it from people who have heard
things but have never been there or from people who have had bad
experiences, you don't know who to believe. I'm so glad you're on this
list. We all can give you some valuable input. Please do your best to
speak with everyone at Convention. Then make up your own mind about it.
Now, as for your goals. If you attend a training center, they have programs
for people who want to go to school or work. I know several people who did
job prep or college prep while at the center. If you attend LCB in Rustin,
you will have a Career Counselor and a Rehab Counselor. I can't say enough
about attending a training center. When you're speaking with people, make
sure to find out about the climate, requirements and extracurricular
activities, and anything else to help you get the correct fit. For example,
if you attend LCB, you'll attend Mardi Gras, depending on what time of the
year you attend the center. You'll also attend State and National
Conventions, and do outings to challenge your problem solving skills. I
believe that's the best thing I received. Problem solving is a skill that I
believe all blind persons need if they're going to move around confidently.
Also, don't listen to people who say that if you attend a training center,
you're superblind. That's just crazy. What you'll be is a confident,
competent blind person who isn't afraid to go to school or work.
I also have a Bachelor's in Psych but, I also have a Master's in
Counseling. It's difficult to find work but, keep your options open. I saw
an e-mail from Merry Schoch. I'm a member of the Human Services Board and I
know that we're going to have an awesome Division Meeting on Wednesday, July
2,2014, that I suggest you attend. I'm sorry I won't be there because I'd
love to speak with you. My husband is sick and can't travel RIGHT NOW. He
also graduated from LCB and got his Mobility degree at Louisiana Tech.
Okay, I'm not trying to force you to attend LCB. You could also attend
Colorado or Blind Inc. in Minnesota.
Regards,
Denise Shaible
-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Amy Hatten
via humanser
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2014 2:30 PM
To: Serena Cucco; Human Services Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] Questions
I am going to the convention and I have been partially blind for 6 years
I've considered an NFB center and was suppose to start but the idea of the
sleep shades is terrifying me and then I get overwhelmed before I go.
I would like to meet anyone at the convention to get as much info I can get.
I became partially sighted my junior year of college. Did 6 weeks of some
training to get back in college the following semester. Then did another 6
weeks of training during summer.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Jun 23, 2014, at 4:14 PM, "Serena Cucco via humanser"
<humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Hi Amy and all,
>
> I received cane travel/orientation and mobility training from the
> Commission for the Blind and technology training from a company that
> contracted with the Commission when I was younger. I also attended
> the Buddy and STEP probrams (Buddy for elementary and middle school
> age and STEP for high school age) programs at the Louisiana Center for
> the Blind, a training center the NFB runs. There are two other NFB
> centers in Colorado and Minnesota. All three of these centers have
> adult programs, as well. I use Jaws screen reading software and
> Kurzweil (sp?) scanning software.
>
> Amy, just wondering, are you totally blind? Partially sighted? Are
> you going to the convention?
>
> Serena
>
>> On 6/23/14, Ericka Short via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Amy, welcome first of all.
>>
>> Justin is right that having a masters opens the job choices considerably.
>> He's also right that you can't get off SSDI without the masters.
>> Marrying
>>
>> rich is about the only other way and that doesn't always work out.
>> Not that I married rich and would know.It depends on what your dreams
>> are and many other life situations. My degree is in social work. I'm
>> in about the same boat as you but have some experience behind me and
>> am finally certified
>>
>> in my state for social work. First I suggest you see if you can be
>> licensed
>>
>> in your state for social work even though you have the psych degree.
>> I took
>>
>> the NASW exam and the state statutes exam for WI and am just awaiting
>> my license. It isn't impossible to work without licensing or a
>> masters, but you
>>
>> are limited that is for sure. I don't know what age you want to work
with.
>>
>> I worked as an activity aide at a nearby nursing home for six years
>> part time to get experience. I could walk so it took the transit
>> issue out of the equation and we didn't have to drive residents
>> anywhere most of the time
>>
>> so it wasn't in the essential requirements of the job. The only
>> thing I drove was wheelchairs! Look into what your state has for
>> licensing and that will help direct you. Don't hesitate to talk to
>> the campus career center. They have given me lots of help even
>> though I graduated 15 years ago. They know more about your own state
>> and what the needs are for certain jobs. If you have a focus they
>> can help you more on some answers than we can. we are allover, but they
can help for state specific things.
>>
>> Transit is a toughie and it also depends on where you live. There
>> are some
>>
>> low cost county services here in my WI county that I have used which
>> are reliable and I have help at times from church members I am close
>> to. Not everyone has that kind of connection. You might be able to
>> carpool with a coworker later, but you have to find a way to get there in
the beginning.
>> IF you are SSDI some states have rules that you can keep your
>> assistance while working because work expenses are subtracted from
>> the real amount leaving you with lower earnings in the end. I don't
>> know much about how the state rules and federal rules differ so that
>> is something someone else can post here. IF you can swing it, take
>> the part time job that suits you
>>
>> and keep the benefits for a while until you have the masters and
>> other things researched and planned. Any experience out of school
>> right away will help you down the road.
>>
>> My job I am awaiting either a rejection or offer for is in another
>> city/county and it is part time. Make sure you know their definition
>> of part time. For this job it is 25 /week. I had to talk to the
>> benefits specialist to see what it would do if I took it. I think I
>> will work for me and I have transit figured out. Again this is a job
>> that doesn't require
>>
>> a license to do the job and if there are situations where it would
>> be nice
>>
>> I have some ideas around it. Not having the job I can't really
>> comment because the plans I think will work night not. The job is a
>> social service
>>
>> coordinator position at a HUD apartment building for the disabled and
>> elderly. Some of my activity plans like getting to attend a
>> church festival might be a little work because of liability,
>> insurance and other important things. The building doesn't have a
>> van so we'd have to work with
>>
>> the churches to find a way for them to attend. Fireworks is nether
>> community opportunity for them to enjoy and it would be great if we
>> could work with the city to get them there and back. As you can see,
>> whether I'm
>>
>> blind or sighted this transit issue would be a problem if I were
>> planning an
>>
>> off-site activity.
>>
>> For other issues, write me offline. Hope I've been of some help and
>> if not,
>>
>> at least interesting. Good luck with your efforts and don't give up
>> the hunt. There is something for you whether you are a partial like
>> me or total.
>>
>> Ericka J. Short
>>
>> "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians
>> 4:13
>>
>> "No hand is too small or too big to do good in this world." EJ. Short
>>
>>
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