[nabs-l] convention questions

[Doug Oliver]

catch up with me on skype and I can talk to ya through all that, as I am 
gonna go to convention, so we can meet up and hang out a bit.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 7:02 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] convention questions


> Hi All:
>
> I am facing a little dilemma and wanted to get your input.
>
> I would really really like to attend convention this summer in Dallas.
> I have a roomate lined up and she checked with the hotel and they told
> her they have rooms available and my mother said she'd give me
> financial assistance since I missed the Jernigan scholarship deadline.
>
> However, I did not receive proper blindness skills in high school. I
> am trying to attend CCB but I don't think I'll be in by the time
> convention happens and I have to decide whether I am going to
> convention or not really soon.
>
> My biggest weakness area and where I have not been taught hardly at
> all is came travel. Until just a few months ago my family guided me
> constantly. I had one of those short folding canes and would bring it
> along but not use it at all. I also was not taught proper technique.
>
> I now have a straight NFB cane and can use it okay but still do not
> really know how to use it. I have flown before but was always with my
> family and so didn't really have to go through much of the process or
> get a skycab/assistance or anything like that, they kind of just
> handled it for me.
>
> I really really want to go to convention but am terrified about flying
> by myself and all that goes into taking a shuttle and getting to the
> hotel by myself, then what do you do once in you room at the hotel?
> I've been told to ask for NFB registration?
> I really have no idea what I'm doing with all this.
>
> I am not so much scared about going through the airport in Pittsburgh
> as I figure whoever brings me can help me to the gate and seating area
> and such.
>
> The part that scares me the most is connecting to another flight, and
> then what to do once I arrive in terms of getting to baggage claim,
> then taking the Super shuttle to the hotel and all that.
>
> I think i'll be okay in the hotel.
>
> I have tried to talk to a few people about the process. They tell me
> that to transfer to another flight all I have to do is get out of the
> plane and go up to an info thing that I've been told is usually right
> there and ask for assistance to the next gate. Is this correct?
>
> How about when arriving in Dallas? Do I also just go up and say I need
> assistance to baggage claim then outside?
>
> How does the shuttle service work? Will they be out there already or
> should I also ask the person assisting me to help me with the shuttle?
>
> Do I need to prearrange for assistance or can I just go up and ask for it?
>
> I've been told it's a good idea to tip whoever gives me assistance.
>
> I would feel a bazillion times better about this if I had another
> blind person with me to kind of be there and guide me through all of
> this. I'm not saying give me sighted guide all the time, but someone
> else who is also going through it at the same time, same airport as me
> so I'm not completely on my own.
>
> However, as of yet I haven't found anyone who is also flying out of 
> Pittsburgh.
> I am from West Virginia, so the closest airport is Pittsburgh.
>
> There is no NFB chapter in my area.
>
> I talked to our First vice president yesterday but since he lives in a
> different part of the state as I do he is flying out of Baltimore.
>
> I had my friend, the person who I would be rooming with write to the
> Pennsylvania list-serve and ask if anyone is flying out of Pittsburgh
> but there was no responses.
>
> I would give anything to go with my friend, but she is from Harrisburg
> PA and so for her the closest airport would either be Baltimore or
> Philly and Pittsburgh is the closest one to where I live in West
> Virginia.
>
> As soon as I send this, I am going to email my state president but I
> figured I'd put these general questions on this list first and see
> what I get.
>
> Is anyone else flying out of Pittsburgh or if not does anyone know of
> anybody who is or how I could find this out?
>
>
> I have not officially decided anything yet so have not done anything
> like book a flight, book my shuttle, or book my hotel room but I know
> I have to decide soon.
>
> Should I skip convention this year and wait until I get more training?
>
> The problem with this is I really really want to go and I already miss
> out on going and doing so many things I want because of not having the
> confidence and travel skills.
> I don't want to have to miss out yet again.
>
> But, I am very very very terrified and would feel much much better if
> I could have someone to sort of help/guide me through this.
>
> Thoughts? What would all of you do?
>
> Kerri
>
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