[nabs-l] WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?
Marc Workman
mworkman.lists at gmail.com
Fri Sep 24 23:01:17 UTC 2010
Kirt,
I think we probably disagree on the definition of a couple of words.
If great means above average, then it is definitionally not possible for
everyone to be great. If everyone did something above average, then the
average would change and become whatever most people were doing; in which
case, they would only be average, not above average. It is only our
democratic belief in equality that makes us resist the notion that not
everyone is capable of achieving greatness.
Secondly, inherently, as I understand it, means no matter what the social
situation. Setting Einstein's theory of relativity aside, we can say that a
particular mass is inherent to an object. Whether you're on the earth or
the moon, your weight is different, but your mass is the same. For
blindness to make it inherently harder to cook, you would have to be saying
that there is no conceivable situation where blindness would not make it
harder to cook. Well, I can pretty easily think of a situation where being
blind or having sight would make no difference: just cook in the dark. If
no light were available, then it would not be any harder for a blind person
to cook than a sighted person, and thus it is not inherently harder for a
blind person to cook.
I'm not sure how you are defining the words great and inherent, but this is
how I am using them.
Best,
Marc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kirt Manwaring" <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?
> Mark,
> I believe Everyone has the potential to be great. Most people don't
> actualize it. And, that aside, I'm going to say something that might
> sound wrong to some of you so please don't take it out of context.
> Blindness does inherently make it harder to cook and become a master
> cheff, because we need to learn alternative techniques and that can
> take time. Impossible, no. Reasonable for any average blind person
> with propper training, certainly. But blindness, by being a physical
> disability, does make it more difficult. What I think most of us
> agree that, with propper training, blindness can be reduced to a mere
> nuisence. But that propper training, as I'm sure any graduate of any
> NFB center can attest, is challenging and demanding. So...yes,
> blindness is a barrier there. Not an insurmountable barrier, but a
> barrier nonetheless.
> So I'm glad this article, even with its obvious flaws, was written.
> Because it shows people that a blind person can succeed in such a
> rigorous environment. You can't expect this sort of article to be
> perfect, devoid of any stereotypes, and totally spot-on in the way it
> portrays blindness. But it's much better than many I've read.
>
> On 9/24/10, Dezman Jackson <jackson.dezman at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Kirt,
>>
>> I agree. I like the way Dr. Jernigan put it: the above average can
>> compete
>> with the below average, the average can compete with the average and the
>> above average can compete with the above average. Relatively few people
>> who
>> are in this trade will become master chefs so sighted or not, when it
>> comes
>> to the art she's definitely an above average blind person competing on
>> terms
>> of equality.
>>
>> Dezman
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Kirt Manwaring" <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com>
>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, September 24, 2010 3:22 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?
>>
>>
>>>I think, overall, it's a pretty decent article. Not perfect,
>>> especially the "getting lost in your kitchen" bit, but...really, this
>>> is a remarkable accomplishment. Especially given the 70 percent
>>> unemployment rate among blind people, and taking in to account that
>>> this is a job most scheffs can only dream of...yeah, it's amazing.
>>> Yes, we all have that potential to thrive in our chosen fields, but
>>> how many of us, especially us blind people, actually live up to it?
>>> The sad reality, especially given employment statistics, is that most
>>> of us do not. So, kudos to her for getting a job at a top restaurant,
>>> doing stuff most people (blind or sighted) probably think a blind
>>> person can't do. Good for her.
>>>
>>> On 9/24/10, Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net> wrote:
>>>> I don't downplay it; I think Arielle is right when she says that
>>>> Martinez's accomplishments are amazing because they just are, but
>>>> they're not so amazing at the same time because we all have the ability
>>>> to accomplish great things in our respective fields. does that make any
>>>> sense?
>>>>
>>>> Respectfully,
>>>> Jedi
>>>>
>>>> Original message:
>>>>> I am surprised that none of you are amazed by her being hired to work
>>>>> at Charlie Trotter's restaurant. He would not have hired her simply
>>>>> because she is blind, but because she is an amazing chef that he felt
>>>>> fit the restaurant's goals and food style. Being hired for an
>>>>> exclusive restaurant like this right after graduation is an
>>>>> accomplishment for anyone, sighted or blind, able-bodied or disabled,
>>>>> and I am surprised how many of you are downplaying this accomplishment
>>>>> because Ms. Martinez is blind.
>>>>
>>>>> On 9/24/10, Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net> wrote:
>>>>>> Dennis,
>>>>
>>>>>> I think you've seriously misinterpreted what Arielle said. she said,
>>>>>> basically, that this woman succeeded despite serious setbacks in her
>>>>>> education and upbringing. She in no way said that she, because she
>>>>>> has
>>>>>> a strong blindness education, is better than Martinez. Where did you
>>>>>> get that? And just so you know, Arielle's success inventory is
>>>>>> looking
>>>>>> pretty darn good where I'm sitting: she's a Doctoral student at
>>>>>> around
>>>>>> age 25 and is doing quite well.
>>>>
>>>>>> Respectfully,
>>>>>> Jedi
>>>>
>>>>>> Original message:
>>>>>>> Arielle,
>>>>>>> I think it is worth noting that you did not say anything positive
>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> blind chef. All of your comments about her were called left handed
>>>>>>> compliments when I was young. You clearly feel superior to her, and
>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>> may
>>>>>>> be, with all the skills you have mastered. For all human beings,
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> proof
>>>>>>> is in the pudding. In the profession she has chosen she is at the
>>>>>>> top,
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> has greatly exceeded almost all sighted competition. I think it is
>>>>>>> valuable
>>>>>>> for all of us who are blind, as well as those who are not, to take a
>>>>>>> success
>>>>>>> inventory in the quiet of our own minds, and honestly evaluate how
>>>>>>> we
>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>> doing in the vocation we have chosen for ourselves. She isn't
>>>>>>> sitting
>>>>>>> back
>>>>>>> and praising herself, nor is she diminishing the accomplishments of
>>>>>>> others
>>>>>>> to make herself look and feel superior. She is actually out there
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> race with sighted people, and she is winning. Too many people,
>>>>>>> sighted
>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>> blind, spend their lives preparing for the race, but they don't have
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> guts to actually get into the race. This is why they spend their
>>>>>>> lives
>>>>>>> hiding in school where it is safe, preparing for a race they will
>>>>>>> never
>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>> the courage to enter. She and her accomplishments have made me very
>>>>>>> proud,
>>>>>>> and this article has done more for us as blind people than anything
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> have seen other blind people do, including me, in a long time. I'm
>>>>>>> going
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> write a letter to Charlie Trotter tomorrow and tell him how much I
>>>>>>> appreciate and value his willingness and ability to see beyond
>>>>>>> typical
>>>>>>> stereotypes. .
>>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>>> Dennis
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Arielle Silverman" <nabs.president at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2010 6:48 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>>>>>> The reporter used a little too much flowery rhetoric, but overall I
>>>>>>>> thought the article was pretty good. What struck me about Ms.
>>>>>>>> Martinez's background is that it sounds like she didn't have a lot
>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>> the services we take for granted as a child, like Braille and O&M,
>>>>>>>> if
>>>>>>>> she didn't even go to school until age ten. I assumed that is why
>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>> has relied, and still relies, on aides, and perhaps also why she
>>>>>>>> didn't learn about things like skin color until she was older. I
>>>>>>>> don't
>>>>>>>> think her being a chef is all that amazing, of course, but I am
>>>>>>>> proud
>>>>>>>> of her for becoming so successful after what sounded like a
>>>>>>>> somewhat
>>>>>>>> sheltered upbringing.
>>>>
>>>>>>>> Arielle
>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 9/23/10, Jewel S. <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> Maybe she doesn't have strong O&M...some of those schools can be
>>>>>>>>> really big and hard to orient in. Think of your own school. It
>>>>>>>>> probably took you awhile to learn the campus...if not, then your
>>>>>>>>> O&M
>>>>>>>>> skills are quite good and I applaud you. I know I am still trying
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> learn my local community college's campus, though I've already got
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> basic layout of the private college I want to attend after
>>>>>>>>> community
>>>>>>>>> college..of course, the classes at the private college are in only
>>>>>>>>> one
>>>>>>>>> of two buildings that are connected, so that makes it pretty easy,
>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>> anyway...
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Saying she was lost because of the remodeling was a little
>>>>>>>>> exaggerative, but I bet she says she got lost herself. I say I get
>>>>>>>>> lost in a new place, and there is a store in a nearby shopping
>>>>>>>>> center
>>>>>>>>> that remodels almost every week, and I always say I'm lost int
>>>>>>>>> here
>>>>>>>>> because of their re-arranging everything.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Just a thought.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 9/23/10, Briley Pollard <brileyp at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> I liked the article in general. I thought it was a little silly
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>> she was "lost" because her parents remodeled the kitchen. I think
>>>>>>>>>> "lost"
>>>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>>>> a little too strong of a word. Also...the school hired her an aid
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> help
>>>>>>>>>> her get around? Seems a little odd. She is obviously successful
>>>>>>>>>> though,
>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>> go her.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Briley
>>>>>>>>>> On Sep 23, 2010, at 5:16 PM, Andi wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> i read this article, and was excited about this womans success
>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>>>>> angry about how the writer of the article portrayed her! I have
>>>>>>>>>>> also
>>>>>>>>>>> been
>>>>>>>>>>> rongly portrayed in newspaper articals as I am sure many of you
>>>>>>>>>>> have.
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> find news papers like to make a spectical of any one with a
>>>>>>>>>>> "disability"
>>>>>>>>>>> that does anything remotely normal and even more of a side show
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> someone
>>>>>>>>>>> who does something most "able bodied" people would have trouble
>>>>>>>>>>> doing.
>>>>>>>>>>> This makes me angry because they take a positive advancement for
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>>>>>>>> and turn it in to a condescension of the blind. How do you all
>>>>>>>>>>> feel
>>>>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>>>>> this and other articals like it. Do you have any sugjestions on
>>>>>>>>>>> how
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> redirect it back to a positive to the world?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind chef gains national acclaim
>>>>>>>>>>> local/article_9884f76e-5023-11df-a9be-001cc4c03286 frame
>>>>>>>>>>> local/article_9884f76e-5023-11df-a9be-001cc4c03286 frame end
>>>>>>>>>>> the quad-city times
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> FORMER MOLINE RESIDENT COOKS AT GOURMET RESTAURANT IN CHICAGO
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Blind chef gains national acclaim
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Kay Luna | Posted: Sunday, April 25, 2010 2:15 am
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Laura Martinez reaches out her hands, delicately running her
>>>>>>>>>>> fingers
>>>>>>>>>>> atop
>>>>>>>>>>> the kitchen counter and across several sharp knives and a
>>>>>>>>>>> vegetable
>>>>>>>>>>> grater.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She isn't afraid of getting cut.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She never does, Martinez says.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Picking up a very large knife, she feels the top of the blade.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "This one is for vegetables," the 25-year-old former resident of
>>>>>>>>>>> Moline
>>>>>>>>>>> softly says. "It has ridges."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> The other knife is even longer and heavier. She picks it up,
>>>>>>>>>>> explaining
>>>>>>>>>>> that this one is called a chef's knife and she uses it to cut
>>>>>>>>>>> meat.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> But right now, Martinez needs to dice some fresh parsley. So,
>>>>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>>>>> feels
>>>>>>>>>>> around on the counter again for the cutting board, using her
>>>>>>>>>>> sense
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> touch to make
>>>>>>>>>>> sure the parsley is lined up just right.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Then, without an ounce of fear, she begins chopping up the
>>>>>>>>>>> parsley
>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>> the fast-moving technique employed by professional chefs -
>>>>>>>>>>> because
>>>>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>>> one.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez works as a chef in the kitchen of Charlie Trotter's, an
>>>>>>>>>>> exclusive
>>>>>>>>>>> gourmet restaurant in Chicago.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She also happens to be blind.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Fast learner gets inspiration
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> When Martinez was little, she did not realize she was different
>>>>>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>>>>>> anyone else. She thought everyone lived in darkness. She adapted
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> it.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She wanted to become a surgeon someday.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "I always liked knives," she said with a smile.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> When she got older, she learned that she had been diagnosed with
>>>>>>>>>>> retinal
>>>>>>>>>>> blastoma, a type of cancer of the eyes, as a very young child.
>>>>>>>>>>> That
>>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>>> what caused
>>>>>>>>>>> her blindness.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Doctors removed one eye. Then the chemotherapy and radiation
>>>>>>>>>>> used
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> treat
>>>>>>>>>>> the cancer ultimately ruined the vision in her other eye.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez cannot see anything. She cannot even detect light.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> In fact, she cannot remember ever seeing anything at all. She
>>>>>>>>>>> uses
>>>>>>>>>>> her
>>>>>>>>>>> active imagination instead.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She is also a fast learner, which came in handy after spending
>>>>>>>>>>> her
>>>>>>>>>>> early
>>>>>>>>>>> childhood in a Mexican town that did not have a school for the
>>>>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>> special
>>>>>>>>>>> education classes. The closest school she could have attended
>>>>>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> three-hour car ride away.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So, she stayed home and never learned to read or write in
>>>>>>>>>>> Spanish,
>>>>>>>>>>> English
>>>>>>>>>>> or Braille until the family moved to Moline. She began her
>>>>>>>>>>> formal
>>>>>>>>>>> education at the
>>>>>>>>>>> age of 10.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez caught up eventually, blossoming even more when she
>>>>>>>>>>> reached
>>>>>>>>>>> Moline High School and met her one-on-one education aide, Pam
>>>>>>>>>>> McDermott.
>>>>>>>>>>> The two spent
>>>>>>>>>>> every school day together, starting when Martinez was 15, and
>>>>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>>>>> remain
>>>>>>>>>>> very close.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> McDermott spent a lot of time talking to Martinez, describing
>>>>>>>>>>> situations
>>>>>>>>>>> and reading her books about the blind-and-deaf pioneer Helen
>>>>>>>>>>> Keller
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> other people
>>>>>>>>>>> who overcame life's challenges.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez's mother does not speak English. Neither did her late
>>>>>>>>>>> father.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> McDermott found herself explaining so many unexpected things to
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> quiet,
>>>>>>>>>>> shy teenager - such as what flirting is and how some people have
>>>>>>>>>>> different
>>>>>>>>>>> skin
>>>>>>>>>>> colors. She hated to be the one to tell her, but the subject
>>>>>>>>>>> came
>>>>>>>>>>> up
>>>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>>>> school.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez began to dream about her future, but she faced people
>>>>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>>>>> told
>>>>>>>>>>> her, "You can't do that. You're blind. There's no way," she
>>>>>>>>>>> said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "Kids would not come near me," Martinez said. "I was afraid to
>>>>>>>>>>> talk
>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>>> anything. But I don't give up."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> McDermott's influence helped open a whole new world of
>>>>>>>>>>> possibilities
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> her, Martinez said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She learned to play piano. She moved away to take life-skills
>>>>>>>>>>> classes
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> the blind. She took community college classes.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She dreamed about becoming a psychologist.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Eventually her interest turned to cooking. She figured it might
>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> little like surgery. Why not give it a try?
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez knew she would have to work harder than most to
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> convince people that she could work as a chef. And she was up to
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> challenge.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "I don't give up," she said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Culinary school brings challenges
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez applied to the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School in
>>>>>>>>>>> Chicago,
>>>>>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>>>>>> open-enrollment institution where most people are accepted as
>>>>>>>>>>> students
>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>> not everyone
>>>>>>>>>>> graduates from the program, said Marshall Shafkowitz, the
>>>>>>>>>>> school's
>>>>>>>>>>> vice
>>>>>>>>>>> president of academic affairs and student services. The
>>>>>>>>>>> curriculum
>>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>>> tough.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> So was Shafkowitz, who admits he was "the biggest skeptic" when
>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>> came
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> considering how a blind student could succeed at Le Cordon Bleu.
>>>>>>>>>>> The
>>>>>>>>>>> school had
>>>>>>>>>>> never enrolled a visually impaired student before Martinez, he
>>>>>>>>>>> said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Initially, he was concerned how her presence in the classroom
>>>>>>>>>>> might
>>>>>>>>>>> impact
>>>>>>>>>>> the other students' learning. Then he worried about how the
>>>>>>>>>>> teachers
>>>>>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>>>>>> present
>>>>>>>>>>> the same curriculum, without lowering their standards, but do so
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> way
>>>>>>>>>>> that would accommodate her.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> He did not know whether she could handle the fast-paced
>>>>>>>>>>> environment
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> working in a commercial kitchen, which is so much different than
>>>>>>>>>>> cooking
>>>>>>>>>>> at home.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "It's a faster pace, with bigger knives and a lot more fire," he
>>>>>>>>>>> said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> After watching Martinez at school and witnessing her "drive and
>>>>>>>>>>> desire"
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> become a chef, Shafkowitz said he was amazed. He said her
>>>>>>>>>>> heightened
>>>>>>>>>>> focus
>>>>>>>>>>> via
>>>>>>>>>>> the other senses, in the absence of sight, is her "superpower."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "Her sense of touch is amazing," he said. "The only way I can
>>>>>>>>>>> describe
>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>> is the touch that a surgeon has when they're working on your
>>>>>>>>>>> organs.
>>>>>>>>>>> She
>>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>>> has that delicate way with a knife."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "She's not going to let anything hold her back," he added. "I
>>>>>>>>>>> think
>>>>>>>>>>> that's
>>>>>>>>>>> 90 percent of who Laura is. Nobody's going to tell her no."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> The school hired an aide to help her get around. She labeled
>>>>>>>>>>> things
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> Braille.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Mostly, though, she learned by using her hands to feel
>>>>>>>>>>> everything -
>>>>>>>>>>> especially the food she was preparing and cooking. She uses her
>>>>>>>>>>> sense
>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>> smell to figure
>>>>>>>>>>> out which spices to use. She uses both senses to determine
>>>>>>>>>>> whether
>>>>>>>>>>> meat
>>>>>>>>>>> and other dishes are done.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Her favorite culinary class was the one in which she learned how
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> debone
>>>>>>>>>>> chicken and take the fat off beef before cutting it into chunks
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> feeding it
>>>>>>>>>>> into a grinder. The teacher asked everyone to close their eyes
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> feel
>>>>>>>>>>> the joints and bones, the meat and the fat. That's how they
>>>>>>>>>>> learned
>>>>>>>>>>> where
>>>>>>>>>>> and what
>>>>>>>>>>> to cut, Martinez said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "Fat feels different. It feels slippery, kind of like Jell-O,"
>>>>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>>>>> said.
>>>>>>>>>>> "I focus on the smell, sound and the feel."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> An article about the school's first blind student was published
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> Chicago Tribune during December, which inspired the "CBS Evening
>>>>>>>>>>> News"
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> feature
>>>>>>>>>>> her on national television. During the filming of that segment,
>>>>>>>>>>> CBS
>>>>>>>>>>> brought along internationally famous chef Charlie Trotter.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> They hoped he would observe Martinez in the kitchen and maybe
>>>>>>>>>>> give
>>>>>>>>>>> her
>>>>>>>>>>> some advice.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> What he ended up giving her was a job offer: to work as a chef
>>>>>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>>>>>> exclusive Charlie Trotter's restaurant in Chicago. No one
>>>>>>>>>>> expected
>>>>>>>>>>> that,
>>>>>>>>>>> least of
>>>>>>>>>>> all Martinez.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "It's a big honor for me," she said. "It's very exclusive."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Rochelle Smith Trotter, a spokeswoman for the Charlie Trotter
>>>>>>>>>>> Corp.,
>>>>>>>>>>> said
>>>>>>>>>>> Chef Trotter was very taken by Martinez's
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> passion for food and her strong determination - "two attributes
>>>>>>>>>>> which
>>>>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>>>>> utilizes to evaluate any potential team member," she said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Martinez graduated Feb. 11 from Le Cordon Bleu. A week later,
>>>>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>>>>> began
>>>>>>>>>>> working at Trotter's, where she is familiarizing herself with
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> kitchen
>>>>>>>>>>> and the
>>>>>>>>>>> restaurant's French-contemporary gourmet cuisine.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "We use very expensive herbs from all over the world," she said,
>>>>>>>>>>> sniffing
>>>>>>>>>>> assorted spices in plastic containers at her childhood home in
>>>>>>>>>>> Moline.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She kept picking up the spices and putting them down, hunting
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> right one to season the sauce for her lasagna.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "Where's the salt?" she asked.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Still dreaming
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Reaching her arms out in front of her, feeling for walls or
>>>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>>> obstacles she might bump into, Martinez moves around the kitchen
>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>> Moline. She is lost
>>>>>>>>>>> because her family recently remodeled.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "Where is the trash can?" she asks.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She feels around until she finds the sink to wash her hands,
>>>>>>>>>>> which
>>>>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>>>>> does repeatedly. She needs to stay cleaner than a sighted
>>>>>>>>>>> person,
>>>>>>>>>>> she
>>>>>>>>>>> says, for food
>>>>>>>>>>> safety and sanitation reasons. That is because she touches the
>>>>>>>>>>> food
>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>> she cooks a lot.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Sometimes she browses cookbooks written in Braille or recorded
>>>>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>>>>> CD,
>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>> she likes to make up her own dishes or give her own special
>>>>>>>>>>> twist
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>>>>>> old favorite.
>>>>>>>>>>> For example, she added grated jalapeno pepper to her lasagna,
>>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>> give
>>>>>>>>>>> it some kick, she said.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> She imagines herself someday opening a restaurant in Miami,
>>>>>>>>>>> offering
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>> mix
>>>>>>>>>>> of French, Italian, Mexican and Asian cuisines. She would call
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> place
>>>>>>>>>>> La Diosa,
>>>>>>>>>>> which, she said, is Spanish for "The Goddess."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> To those who might scoff at the idea, she says, "I'm not giving
>>>>>>>>>>> up."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Skeptics don't discourage her. They just "give me the energy to
>>>>>>>>>>> fight,"
>>>>>>>>>>> she added.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> "I just say, 'I have to work harder to show you that I can.' "
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Jewel S." <herekittykat2 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Monday, May 03, 2010 1:42 PM
>>>>>>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] canes and increasing sensation of
>>>>>>>>>>> blindness
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I use my cane while holding someone's arm all the time.
>>>>>>>>>>>> However,
>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>>>> not consider it "sighted guide" so much as keeping with my
>>>>>>>>>>>> friend
>>>>>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>>>>>> knows the way...especially since the person who usually does
>>>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>>> me is my legally blind boyfriend. I hold his arm for balance
>>>>>>>>>>>> primarily, and to keep track of where he is, as I have no
>>>>>>>>>>>> peripheral
>>>>>>>>>>>> vision. As we walk, he might point things out to me that I
>>>>>>>>>>>> would
>>>>>>>>>>>> miss
>>>>>>>>>>>> with my cane no matter what (the mailboxes that stick out at
>>>>>>>>>>>> head-height, the wet branches in front of my face, etcetra). I
>>>>>>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>>>> cane so he can concentrate on where we are going and things in
>>>>>>>>>>>> front
>>>>>>>>>>>> of us. I find the curbs and steps on my own, and sometimes if
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> light is too low, I find curbs and such for the both of us, as
>>>>>>>>>>>> he
>>>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>>>> not as good with the cane (lack of practice!).
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> I find that if I take someone's arm, I am far less likely to
>>>>>>>>>>>> learn
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> route. I have done entire routes on someone's arm that, looking
>>>>>>>>>>>> back,
>>>>>>>>>>>> I couldn't tell you the first thing. This is partly because of
>>>>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>>>> poor
>>>>>>>>>>>> memory, but also because when I hold someone's arm, unless I'm
>>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>>> charge of navigation (which does occur sometimes), I let that
>>>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>>>> go,
>>>>>>>>>>>> and concentrate more on balance, what my cane is finding, and
>>>>>>>>>>>> sounds.
>>>>>>>>>>>> I can enjoy myself a bit better this way.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Personally, I think holding someone's arm and using a cane at
>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>> same
>>>>>>>>>>>> time is perfectly fine. That's just my opinion, so feel free to
>>>>>>>>>>>> shoot
>>>>>>>>>>>> me down, but that won't stop me from doing it myself! I don't
>>>>>>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>> put all the responsibility on the other person, no matter how
>>>>>>>>>>>> good
>>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>>> guide they are...though there is one exception. My O&M
>>>>>>>>>>>> instructor
>>>>>>>>>>>> would do sighted guide with me to get quickly to a location,
>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>> my
>>>>>>>>>>>> cane just got in his way, and he was very good at guiding (he
>>>>>>>>>>>> better
>>>>>>>>>>>> be, since he teaches other people how to be sighted guides,
>>>>>>>>>>>> too!),
>>>>>>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>>>>>>> I allow my cane to remain at my side, ready to pull out if I
>>>>>>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>>>>>>> need it, but I put my trust in him.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> ~Jewel
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On 5/3/10, clinton waterbury <clinton.waterbury at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> As far as the cane issue goes, when I was about three years of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> age,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> started learning how to use the cane.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The only problem was that I would flat out refuse to use it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> until
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> time I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> was about five.
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The travel instructor finally said "Ok, you don't want to use
>>>>>>>>>>>>> it?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'll
>>>>>>>>>>>>> take
>>>>>>>>>>>>> it from you."
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> At that point, I tried and faled miserably to walk around
>>>>>>>>>>>>> without
>>>>>>>>>>>>> it!
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> At the day's end, I did get the cane back, and have been using
>>>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ever
>>>>>>>>>>>>> since.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> On May 2, 2010, at 4:49 PM, Gerardo Corripio wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi guys: I'm curious as to is it fine to use a cane while
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> going
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sighted
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> guide with someone? for instance suppose the person whom I'm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> going
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> has
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> never done sighted guide with a blind person, thus doesn't
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> alert
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> us
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of steps and the like. So I was thinking that if this
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> technique
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fine
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> use it can serve two purposes:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1.-Be able to go along sighted guide but at the same time
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> being
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> able
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> oneself find and sort obstacles the sighted person might not
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> mind
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to let us know.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2.-Be able to start mapping in our minds the route following,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> thus
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> make
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> easier to get to know the route by ourselves.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Also I've got another subject on my mind, thus sending in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> same
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> email:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it normal that when using a cane I have conflict in using it?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> though
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the cane is how we get around by ourselves thanks to a bad
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> experience
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> while
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> studying for a diploma in Humanistic Therapy some years ago
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> when I
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> wanted to use the cane again after some years of having it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> dusting,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> held
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it in my hand but wasn't able to use it at ease because
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> memories
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> experience came flooding back. fortunately I've been able to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> them
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> out
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> but am curious as to know if this has happened to you guys?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> It's
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> conflict
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> because for one I'm aware that the cane makes us unique as
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> people
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lets us move around by ourselves but also because here in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mexico
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> aren't viewed as equals in some respects, thus when using the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cane
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> gives
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> me
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the feeling that lets blindness show even more, making the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> sighted
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> people
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> feel ill at ease; speaking from experience in another country
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> when
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the US you guys don't have to cope with these things because
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> how
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> advanced
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you guys are in the work you've done all these years. some
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> day
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hope
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> able to be like you guys and really live by your standards,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> thus
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> hoping
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> these questions bring on a good discussion from which more
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> than
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> one
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> might
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> learn something new and enrich the topic of appreciating our
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> roots
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> brought
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> on recently.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gerardo
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/clinton.waterbury%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/adrianne.dempsey%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
>>>>>>>>>>> info
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/brileyp%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>> ~Jewel
>>>>>>>>> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
>>>>>>>>> Treasure Chest for the Blind:
>>>>>>>>> http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/nabs.president%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> Arielle Silverman
>>>>>>>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>>>>>>>> Phone: 602-502-2255
>>>>>>>> Email:
>>>>>>>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>>>>>>>> Website:
>>>>>>>> www.nabslink.org
>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dennisgclark%40sbcglobal.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/loneblindjedi%40samobile.net
>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. Visit
>>>>>> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> ~Jewel
>>>>> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
>>>>> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/loneblindjedi%40samobile.net
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. Visit
>>>> www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere.
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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>>
>>
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