[nabs-l] Personal characteristics and traits of successfulblind people

Thu Mar 27 20:32:11 UTC 2014

You don't have to be better, just be yourself! RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "minh ha" <minh.ha927 at gmail.com>
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 4:25 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Personal characteristics and traits of successfulblind 
people


>I think you're oversimplifying the problem. Firstly, what does it mean
> to be average anyway? I'm an average student in that I work hard, get
> good grades, involve myself in extracurriculars and community service.
> There are thousands and thousands of students out there that are just
> "average" and they still get jobs and are successfully employed. It's
> not really about being unique, but about the experiences that you have
> and your work ethic. Employers are looking for people that will
> contribute 100% into their job and it doesn't matter if you have an
> undergrad or grad degree, they are still going to hold you to the same
> standards. It's a huge misconception out there that if you have a
> masters, it automatically elevates your chances of getting a job, and
> it's not true at all. At my service placement, I help clients search
> for jobs and a bunch of them have masters degrees and still can't gain
> employment.
>
> As for characteristics of successful blind people, I don't know why
> the distinction "blind" has to be associated at all. I'm running
> through a list of successful blind and sighted people I know and
> there's not one single characteristic that they do not share.
>
> On 3/27/14, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 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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>
>
> -- 
> "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
> recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity:
> but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on
> their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence
>
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