[nabs-l] Grad School and Training Center?

[Ashley Bramlett]

Sarah,
Well you have met a good milestone in being accepted to a counseling 
program. Will you be a clinical counselor or what?
That is some accompolishment!

Regarding training, could you get itenernant training now? For instance get 
someone from a lighthouse for the blind to meet with you once a week?
Its not nfb style, but maybe this will help. I, too, fear rehab will say 
likewise to me. Other than my O&M skills wich suck due to spatial 
challenges, my situation is similar in some respects. I have an undergrad 
degree. I cannot decide whether to go to training or a job. Rehab will 
likely tell me I'm well adjusted too. Like you, I have decent technology
skills and braille skills. I cannot cook much though and lack confidence in 
housekeeping. I'd pick another center than nfb style, but that's me, I 
already tried our state center. But yeah, I know what you mean about out of 
state training.

I have some suggestions:
1. go to training for the full program after grad school.
2. Go to the summer programs only.
3. You might be able to start your grad program and take off the fall 
semester one year. Between summer and fall, this gives you six months at the 
center. Talk to your advisers; maybe they can hold your place after a 
semester for you to return.
4. Go to the center for less than the full program; you will benefit, but 
will not get a certificate or freedom bell.

As for the justification, I'm sure your state nfb leaders can assist and 
Arielle here. She had decent skills, yet went to a center to improve.

Good luck.
Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Sarah Meyer
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2014 6:03 PM
To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Grad School and Training Center?

Hi all,
I wanted to share an update about my academic/professional life and
ask for some input.

I was recently accepted into Ball
State University's Dual Master's Degree program in Counseling
Psychology (Clinical Mental Health track) and Social Psychology and am
planning to begin coursework in August.
At the same time, I have had an ongoing desire to attend one of the
NFB training centers but have never found the "right" time to do this.
I attended the Student Seminar hosted by the Midwestern Associations
of Blind Students this weekend, which made me realize that I really
should probably just
"make the time" for a training center, but I'm still not sure about
the best timing and the steps to take.  I am concerned that VR won't
allow me to attend a Center because they may think I don't really need
such intense training.  I have good O&M skills and manage well with
Braille and assistive technology; I have also been working as an
Independent Living Advocate at a Center for Independent Living, which
has included teaching independent living skills to people with various
disabilities.  VR (and others) may say that I am already well-adjusted
and that I function very well and independently.  I know I have
sufficient skills to get by but also know I really struggle with
confidence and that there are still many areas where I need to grow to
become even more efficient and independent.  I could really use
some guidance to help me decide if I should make the time for a
Training Center and if so, when and how to go about doing so.  I don't
want to lose my spot in my Graduate program because I really believe
it is an amazing fit for me and I have been so excited to further my
education and to move forward in the field of counseling and possibly
research and teaching.

Has anyone had a similar experience? Has anyone ever deferred
acceptance to an academic program?

Thanks so much for any thoughts/suggestions,

Sarah

-- 
Sarah K. Meyer
NFB of Indy - Community Outreach, Advocacy, and Legislation (COAL), Chair
IndyGo/IPTC Mobility Advisory Committee (MAC), Member
(317) 402-6632

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