[nabs-l] Freshman year

Wed Jul 18 12:26:35 UTC 2012

Good morning, Aleeha,

Are there educating opportunities underlying somewhere,  to grow 
resentful over people's misidentification of your cane? We are by 
virtue of interacting with a sighted majority, ambassadors of 
blindness. educating does not always get to unfold on our own, terms. 
It's still education nonetheless? /2012, Aleeha Dudley wrote:
>I have been told that my cane looked like a fishing pole before. 
>Now, having held and used a fishing pole before, I cannot imagine 
>why someone might think this.
>
>Aleeha
>
>On Jul 18, 2012, at 3:10 AM, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > A ping pong paddle? That would be pretty impossible! I've been asked
> > why I was carrying a golf club around, but this is by far the funniest
> > story involving my cane that I can think of.
> > So I was walking down the street one day and this guy came up to me
> > and said, excuse me, ma'am, does your stick have magnets in it?
> > I just kind of looked at him like, what are you talking about? He
> > said, well, you have to be able to tell where the curb is somehow.
> > What that has anything to do with magnets, I have no clue.
> >
> > On 7/18/12, Joshua Lester <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu> wrote:
> >> Some people choose to remain ignorant, even after I try to tell them.
> >> I can't stand those kinds of people!
> >> Blessings, Joshua
> >>
> >> On 7/18/12, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
> >>> 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
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