[nabs-l] need to vent and very discouraged right now.

[Arielle Silverman]

I'm only being a little sarcastic when I suggest telling this man that
he must have wasted his time and money going into the rehab profession
when he is clearly not cut out for the job!

Arielle

On 12/5/13, NMPBRAT at aol.com <NMPBRAT at aol.com> wrote:
> Hi Melissa,
> I'm sorry that you had such an unfortunate experience but  don't let it get
>
> you down or your hopes up.  It can be done.  I too  had a similar
> experience with a rehab counselor who told me when I stated I  wanted to
> teach, he
> said it was not considered a "blindness friendly field" and  that I needed
> to
> look at other careers.  I essentially told him he was  wrong and that his
> job was to assist me in whatever area I wanted to  pursue.  I told him that
> I
> didn't want to have a job that I hated, simply  because it was "blindness
> friendly".   He didn't like what I had to  say....and still didn't have a
> great attitude....but he was forced to work with  me...that is, until I had
> the
> fortunate experience of being moved to a  different rehab counselor who was
>
> totally supportive of what I wanted to  do.
> Fast forward....my degree is in Special Ed. but I have worked  and taught
> both special ed. and regular ed. students over the years.  I am  currently
> in
> my 12th year of teaching in the public schools.   I  actually got my
> teaching job the following school year after I  graduated.  Yes, I was
> fortunate.
> I don't want to say it  was easy...as I did quite a few interviews.....but
> it wasn't impossible  either.  Yes, there were people I interviewed with
> that I could tell just  by how they acted that they weren't too keen on a
> bind
> teacher.  However,  that wasn't the case in every scenario.  In fact, I
> actually turned down 2  teaching jobs before I accepted the third one (for
> various reasons).  I  also have met other blind teachers who have also had
> successful  careers.   And as far as finding a job....I know plenty of
> totally
> able-bodied, well-educated people who have spent many years searching and
> interviewing and can't get a teaching job.  So blind teachers or child care
>
> workers are not the only ones who struggle sometimes to find a job.  The
> success is more based upon other factors like education level, other
> employment
> experience or volunteer experience (both of which helped me), the need for
>
> teachers in general in the area where you apply for jobs,  etc.
> I think someone else suggested that you research articles  about blind
> individuals in the teaching field....and I think that was an  excellent
> idea.
> You may just have to educate this individual about  how possible it is.
> It is truly unfortunate that people in these positions have  the negative
> attitudes about what is possible for individuals with disabilities  to be
> successful at....I never have quite understood how or why they  end up in
> these
> positions.
> Just remember.....it's YOUR future.....and you need to make  sure to
> advocate for yourself and what you want your future to be.  I have  never
> regretted once what I said to the counselor I  had.  Although it isn't
> possible
> because he is retired....I have often  wished I could go back and say to him
>
> "Look at me  now!"
> Don't give up.  It can be discouraging...I totally  understand....but do
> not let it stop you!
> Best wishes,
> Nicole
>
>
> In a message dated 12/5/2013 5:47:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> lissa1531 at gmail.com writes:
>
> Took a  napp and processed what happened too me today.  But I am still
> bothered by this episode.  Read on if you like.
> I was very  encouraged and hopeful yesterday during and after my meeting
> with
> the  devision of vocational rehabiletation.  Then this morning the job
> specialest called me.
> He basically told me that if I was hired by a  school or daycare center
> that
> does not serve blind children that I will  not find a job.  And that I
> wasted
> my time and rehab's money.   He also said that it will be a liability for
> anyone to hire me.
> this is  coming from someone who is suppose to believe in me and to be in
> my
> corner.  I don't think this is the case at all, and he hasn't even  met me.
>
> Still upset and now discouraged.  But have to focus on  finishing school.
> I have worked very hard and been through so much  hell.  I haven't given
> up.
> But But I want to give up and scream for a  while .
> I was so mad.  I plan to tell him so wednesday during  our meeting.
> But by then I plan to be calmed down and handle this with  dignety and
> education and not anger.
> thank you for reading and letting  me vent and share.
> off to finish with school forever.
> Best,
> Melissa  Green and Pj
> I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities.
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