[nabs-l] Freshman year

Wed Jul 18 05:28:19 UTC 2012

Hi, Josh,

Don't you believe it more productive all around to dispell people's 
ignorance, rather than getting up tight about it?At 09:59 PM 
7/17/2012, you wrote:
>LOL!
>It annoys me when someone calls my cane my "pole," "stick," etc.
>Here's a funny story, that actually happened at church!
>I had a straight cane, (not an NFB cane,) but a graphite cane.
>I had a roller tip on it, so one of the teenage boys who wasn't all
>there mentally asked this question about my cane.
>"What's that, a ping-pong paddle?"
>Good grief!
>Blessings, Joshua
>
>On 7/17/12, Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hahahaha! I need to have them walk off with my cane! How do you feel having
> >
> > your stick touched? XD
> > Most of the time it happens while I'm going sighted guide with a store
> > person, someone in the airport or something like that.
> > So I'm already holding their arm. I 'm fine if people grab my cane on the
> > bus, because they can excuse their grabbing as an accident, but people
> > grabbing the cane to guide me is a no no!
> > I'm asked if the cane helps me get around and I say yes, it's like my eyes,
> >
> > so possibly people maybe think that my cane guides me. I have no idea. I
> > feel so horrible without my cane, I don't know how sighted people stand
> > it... I don't know a comparison other than saying that they're touching my
> > stick, can they please get their hands off...
> > I once said that the guide was blinding me, but he didn't get it.
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Brandon Keith Biggs
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ashley Bramlett
> > Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 9:19 PM
> > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Freshman year
> >
> > 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
> >> >>  _______________________________________________
> >> >>  nabs-l mailing list
> >> >>  nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> >>  http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> >>  To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account
> >> >> info for
> >> >>  nabs-l:
> >> >>
> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/lily2011a%40g
> >> >> mail.com
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> nabs-l mailing list
> >> >> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
> >> >> for nabs-l:
> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/sweetpeareade
> >> >> r%40gmail.com
> >> >>
> >> >> _______________________________________________
> >> >> nabs-l mailing list
> >> >> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> >> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> >> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> >> nabs-l:
> >> >>
> >> 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jlester8462%40students.pccua.edu
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > nabs-l mailing list
> >> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >> > nabs-l:
> >> >
> >> 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ptrck.molloy%40gmail.com
> >> >
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
> >>nabs-l mailing list
> >>nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> >>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> >>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> >>nabs-l:
> >>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlymih%40comcast.net
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nabs-l mailing list
> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > nabs-l:
> > 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/brandonkeithbiggs%40gmail.com
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nabs-l mailing list
> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > nabs-l:
> > 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nabs-l mailing list
> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > nabs-l:
> > 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/brandonkeithbiggs%40gmail.com
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > nabs-l mailing list
> > nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> > To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> > nabs-l:
> > 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/jlester8462%40students.pccua.edu
> >
>
>_______________________________________________
>nabs-l mailing list
>nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/carlymih%40comcast.net