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

Thu Mar 27 20:45:53 UTC 2014

Keep in mind folks; I am 34.  I am coming at this from a different angle
than most of you.  Like me or hate me, I call it like I see it.  

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of RJ Sandefur
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 4:32 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Personal characteristics and traits of successfulblind
people

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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