[nabs-l] Personal characteristics and traits of successful blind people

Thu Mar 27 18:48:08 UTC 2014

You do have to be better than the majority; it is not fair, but you do. At
times, you will get a little bit of a break, but to be really successful,
you have to be better than average to make people decide that hiring you
befriending you, or loving you, or what-evering you is worth stepping
outside of their comfort zone.  While I won't dare hold everyone to my
personal opinion and say it is gospel, if you are just average run of the
mill, technically, you would be counted as less than your counterparts,
because they have nothing as a barrier for the boss, friend, or lover to
access their averageness. Spin it anyway you want, but you've got to be
better than average and a little unique to really find the success you want.
If you and a sighted person go for the same job with the same credentials,
we'll use an undergrad degree in sociology, the sighted person is probably
going to get the entry level job.  Get your master's degree in counseling,
and stand out.  There is less competition, and you are seen as an expert, or
something close. Average, or below average may get you the pity treatment,
or you may even get the customer service job in the call center, but it is a
dead end job for sure.  You don't want to just be the token; you want to be
a real contributor.  Not that everyone has to get a master's degree, but you
got my drift.  You want people to respect you.  Admiration is alright, but
that does not get you hired, dated, or anything else you really want. It is
merely the gateway to respect, and respect of your piers is what helps
catapult you to actual success.  Okay, I'm leaving out spirituality for
purposes of this conversation, but once again, you got my drift. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie McGinnity
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 2:26 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Personal characteristics and traits of successful
blind people

This brings up another discussion entirely: do we need to be better than our
sighted colleagues to make it in the world?  Do we need to make ourselves
look particularly successful so that others will not overlook us because we
are blind?

Here's one idea...  I feel like blind people who are successful don't over
emphasize their blindness.  It is one of many characteristics that define
them(us).  We are blind, and we need to deal with it, learn necessary
skills, and continue to develop our talents and skills in other areas.  We
are not just blind; we are people.

A counter argument would assert that due to the widespread misconception of
blindness, we need to be constantly on our gard and focusing on educating
and advocating.  Personally, I think this is no way to live our lives, but I
bet that I am not the only one who worries about how certain activities will
work for me or whether a certain professor will treat me differently because
of my blindness.
Maybe it's reality...  What do you guys think?

On 3/27/14, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hard down skill.  All the other intangibles are nice, but if you 
> aren't good at something, then they don't count for as much; you have 
> to make yourself useful to folks, and try to have a little bit more 
> knowledge than everyone else around you.  Understanding the value of 
> good training, personal development, a wealth of knowledge, and great 
> technique.  Learn any thing you can.  Learn also how to interweave 
> your blindness skills into the normal skills of what you as a person 
> need to no.  Learn what you do, and what you don't do.  Also, be 
> willing to explore, and adapt.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Phil
> Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 6:29 AM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: [nabs-l] Personal characteristics and traits of successful 
> blind people
>
> Hi all,
>
> I'm working on a research paper, and would like to hear what you think.
> Obviously there are external factors such as accessibility barriers, 
> social and attitudinal barriers and so on that affect a blind person's 
> likelihood of success in life.  But if we focus on personal 
> characteristics for a moment, what do you think are some personal 
> characteristics that can help a blind person succeed, or ask in a 
> different way, what characteristics and behavior traits do successful 
> blind people around you exhibit? And what makes you cite these traits?
> For example, some have rightly pointed out that a sense of curiosity 
> and exploration is key, both curiosity to explore one's physical 
> surrounding, intellectual curiosity to explore different subjects and 
> career possibilities, and so on. Others have also pointed out having 
> the courage to be different is important as a blind person.
> What else do you think are important characteristics or behavior traits?
> Hope to hear lots of diverse views on this.
> Thanks!
>
> Best,
> Phil
>
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--
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

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