[nabs-l] Update on meeting with a job placement specialist

[Ashley Bramlett]

Hi Gedi,

That's right!  Rehab should help you explore all the possibilities. 
Unfortunately, some rehab counselors are better than others and some have 
more open attitudes.  Mine didn't do anything to help me find summer 
employment in college; I found it on my own since fortunately there's a 
program called workforce recruitment program for students with disabilities 
out there.
I thought about working with kids in childcare or teaching but my counselor 
said negative things.  She did not say No or say it was not doable.  However 
she did imply it would be real difficult and its not a secure job.  She 
emphasized how much responsibility it was.

I don't really care about other opinions.  I know my strengths and I'm 
stubborn.  So I will try it if I want to.  Right now I want an office job. 
It pays more and is certainly more secure.  Later on once I've gotten more 
confident in my own skills as well as had a chance to volunteer with kids, I 
might go into childcare or go back to school for a masters in education. 
Then I will teach.
I don't know yet.  Part of me still wants to teach but I realized through 
soul searching I'm doubtful I can control a classroom and manage conducting 
a whole class.  I don't know if I have the personality for it.

Anyway, we have come a long way but there are people out there who still 
believe only certain jobs are possible for a blind person.  Its up to us to 
stand up and try new careers going with our desires and what we studied for 
rather than some mold of what we should do to please a rehab counselor.

Ashley