[nabs-l] Helping the group in organized chaos situations

[Julie McGinnity]

Hi Darian,

I have done this.  When I am able to jump on something fast enough
with one of my friends in the class, she doesn't mind me helping.  But
she doesn't understand why it's so important to me.

I did exactly that.  We had a settee(I don't know if that's how you
spell it) to carry, and it took two people.  I took the one end and
let her lead because she can see.  I thought this was a perfect
arrangement.  But my professor actually told me I wasn't allowed to
help with this.  I don't have unrealistic expectations.  I don't want
to hang lights(though honestly, going up on a catwalk would be cool).
And I don't want to lift anything down stairs or do anything else that
might be dangerous because I can't use dog or cane while doing it.
But I would like the others to see me as an equal helping hand.

On 12/6/13, Darian <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
> I Julie,
> This is a very good question.
> I have dealt with similar situations and I've started by doing what you have
> done in talking with a supervisor, subordinate, instructor or what have you.
>
> Quite a bit of times for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to work out quite
> like I would want it to.
> So I have tried the method of either making a friend or finding a friend and
> partnering up with them ahead of time.
> This works when you can do it because the person that you are working with
> has helped completing the task, you're not left alone, and the job gets done
>
> Obviously you would do well to lift only what is appropriate free you (don't
> over exert yourself). And work collaboratively with your partner.  You are
> just as vital as anyone else in this effort because you can do the power and
> your partner can be the eyes.
> I hope that this helps.
>   Darian
>
>
> This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
>
>> On Dec 5, 2013, at 5:48 PM, Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hello friends,
>>
>> I know...  Weird subject line...  But in my opera workshop class, we
>> are expected to help clean, organize costumes and set pieces, and do
>> other physical type tasks.  I am no good at these things, not because
>> I don't want to help or can't lift, clean, or help in other ways, but
>> because I cannot see what needs doing in an organized chaos type
>> situation.  I hate being left out of things, especially when I know I
>> can help just as much as everyone else.  My professor doesn't get
>> it...  She doesn't think it's safe for me to lift things and doesn't
>> mind me sitting by while others do all the work.  But I feel aweful
>> and find myself dreading work days and clean-up times.  I want to
>> help, but I don't know how to throw myself in.  Most of all, I don't
>> want to try to help with something, just to be told that I'm not
>> welcome. I have tried to talk with my professor about these things,
>> and she wants to give me jobs like helping call cues, but most of what
>> we do is actually physical work, and I'd still be left out of all of
>> it. I feel like if I can navigate uneven and high platforms on a stage
>> without falling to my death, I can handle a little heavy lifting and
>> cleaning.  But I don't know how to convince others, especially when
>> they believe it would simply be easier for them to do the work.
>>
>> Have any of you dealt with a similar situation?  How have you handled it?
>>
>>
>> --
>> Julie McG
>> National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
>> Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
>> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
>> and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
>> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
>> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
>> life."
>> John 3:16
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/dsmithnfb%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/kaybaycar%40gmail.com
>


-- 
Julie McG
National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16