[nabs-l] convention questions

Fri Apr 23 07:04:06 UTC 2010

My skype is
daredevil22180
and I too will be there. So add me and we can talk if you'd like.

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Doug Oliver" <oliver.doug1 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] convention questions

> 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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>
>
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