[nabs-l] Freshman year

Wed Jul 18 04:19:02 UTC 2012

Brandon,
I just ask them not to grab my cane. I say I'd rather take their arm. If 
they persist, it depends on my mood; I either again insist that they leave 
the cane alone or I simply decline their assistance and walk off elsewhere 
and get someone else's help.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Brandon Keith Biggs
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 10:37 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year

Hello,
This will also happen, especially when you go shopping, but I haven't found
a way to prevent it.
When people want me to follow them, they grab my cane. Even when I'm holding
their arm, I often have people grab my cane when we're approaching stairs.
I feel really offended and defensive when people touch my cane, and it's on
the top of my least favorite things. It is probably about as offensive to me
as if someone randomly started touching me inappropriately on purpose.
Has anyone figured out a way to keep people from touching our canes? Because
it's really an insult along with everything else. I can't cuss them out,
because it wouldn't do good for the blindness image. I ask them nicely to
please not touch my cane and pull it out of their grip, but I still feel
violated and some people will grab it again after I asked them not to.
I feel this is one of the more cereous misconceptions about blindness, but I
really have no idea how to prevent it.
If anyone has any idea, please let me know!
Thanks,

Brandon Keith Biggs
-----Original Message----- 
From: Carly Mihalakis
Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 6:14 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list ; National
Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year

Evening, Katie,

Remember that most folks don't actually get to see blind people
functioning in person. By demonstrating what we are and yes, are not
capable of is a great means of educating. Thus, I believe it pretty
counterproductive to get up tight about being stared at. As much as
people wrap about blindness being an "inconvenience" a truth is
that,, blindness remains an enigma to most and you could be educating
the unsuspecting sighted person  by means of not objecting to a
little staring wich, I remind is not at all intrusive. What do people
think of this?
At 05:39 PM 7/17/2012, Patrick Molloy wrote:
>Katie,
>Having just finished my freshman year this past May, I can tell you
>that people are very accepting for the most part. Once you show people
>that you're just as capable as they are, your actions will speak for
>themselves. True, people will be watching you more than they would a
>person with sight. But you have to use that as a way to educate them.
>When people ask you questions on campus about how you do this or that,
>take it in stride. That's actually how I met my best friend: I was
>walking down campus going to a building and he came up and asked me
>how I knew where I was or something like that. We had a great
>conversation and things just rolled from there. Feel free to send me
>an e-mail off list if you have any questions as things come up.
>Patrick
>
>On 7/17/12, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
> > LOL!
> > That's a good one!
> > I also quote Fanny Crosby and tell them that one good thing about
> > blindness, is that I never have to see the clouds in the sky.
> > Blessings, Joshua
> >
> > On 7/17/12, Sophie Trist <sweetpeareader at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> When people first find out about my blindness, I always point out
> >> that I will never have to pay a speeding ticket. I also joke that
> >> God short-changed me in the vision department, but I won't be
> >> asking for a refund any time soon. Haha. I find that if you act
> >> like it's no big deal, other people will feel that way too.
> >>  ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: Liliya Asadullina <lily2011a at gmail.com
> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> >> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> Date sent: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:21:08 -0400
> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year
> >>
> >> And I agree about adding in humour.
> >>
> >> On 7/17/12, Liliya Asadullina <lily2011a at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>  Hi Katie,
> >>  My name is Lily and I am going to be a freshmen in college as
> >> well.  I
> >>  understand you have had bad experiences in high school, after
> >> telling
> >>  people that you are blind.  I have dealt with a few myself.  As
> >> far as
> >>  I have heard from some of my blind and sighted friends who are
> >> already
> >>  in college, they say that people are more accepting in college.
> >> It's
> >>  more of a time when people our age or around our age learn to
> >> grow up.
> >>   Of course you will not meet all mature people, but just be
> >> yourself
> >>  and tell them that you can't see.  Express to them that even
> >> though
> >>  you are blind, you can still accomplish as much as they can.
> >> Get
> >>  involved with a few extra curricular activities and prove to
> >> them that
> >>  you are an independent, and smart individual.  The most you can
> >> do is
> >>  educate them about blindness and be outspoken.  You will have to
> >> get
> >>  out of your comfort level, but I am sure by the end of your 1st
> >>  semester you wil have a good sullection of caring friends.
> >>  Another thing, make sure you advicate for yourself in class and
> >> where
> >>  ever you choose to go outside of the academic area.  For
> >> example, I am
> >>  emailing my professors ahead of time and letting them know that
> >> I am
> >>  blind, but that I have the capability just like anyone else to
> >> get my
> >>  work done and learn.  I will explain to them how I will be
> >> taking
> >>  notes in class and what kind of tecchnology I'll be bringing
> >> with me.
> >>  I will be meeting with my professors a week before classes
> >> begin, and
> >>  will be asking them if they have any questions for me.
> >>  Outside of class, just reassure your peers if they have any
> >> questions
> >>  for you about blindness to feel free to ask.
> >>  Like I said, just be yourself and make the most out of your
> >> year.
> >>  Be confident in you!  You've got this!
> >>  College is full of diversity and if someone does not accept you
> >> for
> >>  who you are and because of your blindness or lack of some
> >> vision, then
> >>  they aren't worth being friends with...
> >>  People come to college from all different areas around the world
> >> and
> >>  each student has something unique about them.   So just reach
> >> out to
> >>  those around you and show them that no matter what, you can
> >> succeed.
> >>  I understand what you are going through in your mind though.
> >>  I am saying this to you, but at the same time I am nervous for
> >> college as
> >>  well.
> >>  Beeing that I had some blind skills training at the Colorado
> >> Center
> >>  For The blind though, I do feel more confident about going to
> >> college
> >>  and in myself too.
> >>  Also, I am not as nervous to be dorming with a random room mate
> >> away
> >>  from my home town and family.
> >>  Good luck with starting this fall, I believe that you will do
> >> well!
> >>  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me any
> >> time
> >>  at: Lily2011a at gmail.com.
> >>  Or my school email: lasadull at masonlive.GMU.edu
> >>  Cheers!
> >>  Liliya
> >>
> >>  On 7/17/12, Katie Cl <katminecce at yahoo.com> wrote:
> >>  Hi my name is Katie and I am going to be a freshman in college
> >> this fall.
> >>  I
> >>  was wondering how other people handled telling others they
> >> couldn't see.
> >>  In
> >>  high school I had a bad experience and don't want it to happen
> >> again. Any
> >>  advice would be helpful.
> >>  THANKS
> >>
> >>  <3 Princess Cy-I <3
> >>  _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
> >>
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