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

[melissa Green]

thank you all for your words of encouragement.
I am still angry.
But I am going to use that anger as a motivator.
That is what keeps me going and getting through everything that I have 
experienced in my life.
It starts wednesday afternoon.
Best,
Melissa Green and Pj
I am where I am because I believe in all possibilities.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <NMPBRAT at aol.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2013 5:56 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] need to vent and very discouraged right now.


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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