[nabs-l] graduation ceremony

[Serena]

Hi Ashley

My guide was a fellow student I'd never met before.  She guided me up to the 
stage and across.  I honestly have a poor sense of direction.  From what I 
remember, I was walking single file, or, at least, close to the other 
students.

Serena


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] graduation ceremony


> Hi Serena,
>
> Was your guide someone from university staff?  My dss person also brought 
> up seating although it was as a question and I did not feel forced to 
> comply. She asked me if I wanted to sit in the section reserved for people 
> with disabilities.  I'd be closer to the stage then.  Of course I said I'd 
> rather sit with the rest of the graduating class.
>
> I think I'll have a guide from the university.  Its going to be stressful 
> enough walking in front of thousands and in front of the president of the 
> university.  If I had an opportunity to practice walking, I wouldn't need 
> one.  But I don't.  This is an unfamiliar stage and place.
>
> Were you able to walk single file with the rest of the graduates to the 
> stage or were you guided there too?
>
> Can you believe my family put pressure on me to let my brother whose a 
> graduate of the school assist me during the ceremony?  I'd much rather 
> have a guide because walking with a family member just isn't right.  I 
> think it would look like I'm being taken care of.  I'm not the greatest 
> traveler as I don't have a good sense of direction, but I have used a cane 
> since childhood and have improved my skills.  I hope my family doesn't see 
> me as so helpless that I need one of them to help me during an important 
> ceremony.
>
> Ashley
>
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