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

Fri Mar 28 05:19:33 UTC 2014

Good evening,

         Success, to me, is however one choses o measure such a 
potentially loaded term. So, if success is, as you say traveling the 
world and not have a "real" job then so be it, you see yourself as a success.
fortoday, Car
cell; 408-209-3239

one  At 01:57 PM 3/27/2014, Brice Smith wrote:
>This entire discussion is pointless because no one has defined
>successful. What is it? Is it getting a master's degree and job in
>your field? Climbing a tall mountain? Working as a garbage collector
>to feed and protect your husband and children? If I travel solo around
>the world would you call me successful despite my disability, or laugh
>at me because I don't have a job? If I have an expensive English
>degree and work as a receptionist at an engineering firm am I now
>considered "successful" even if I'm miserable and hate my job? If I
>work at Target because I've got bills and responsibilities, am I
>successful for getting a job or a failure for not having the
>curiosity, intellect, training, adaptability -- or whatever other
>characteristics you have identified in this thread?
>
>We go on and on with these useless terms and buzzwords without
>defining them or considering that success to one person might be
>failure to another.
>
>Brice
>
>
>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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> >>
> >>
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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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> >
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