[nabs-l] questions about fitting in.

[Anna Givens]

Hey lovely,

So it seems that these people have not interacted much, if ever, with blind people.  Unfortunately, it has become your task to make them comfortable with you being blind. I wonder if there is some way you can casually educate these people, making them more curious and more comfortable.  For example, if you guys are having a discussion about something in the youth group, you could throw something in there about how you as a blind person do something that's relevant.  Or if some event is being planned, offer a new idea that you will take charge of.  Or you could have a game night or something fun that you set up and ask people if they would come.  As we all know, you are a delightful young lady with a wonderful and warm personality.  So I am sure if you can get there attention and show them something, they'll come around.  Maybe you could even invite some of them to volunteer at the center or something?  I don't know.  But I am just thinking, get them more comfortable with blind people.  
If all else fails, you can always go elsewhere.  Some church congregations just aren't super welcoming to anyone....
Let us know how it goes.
You are not the only one who struggles with this.

Thank you for reaching out here to talk about this issue.

Hope others will give their input.

See you soon! :)

Anna E Givens

> On Nov 13, 2016, at 9:36 PM, Alosha Moore via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good evening Ana:
> I'm sorry to hear of your struggle, but if it's any consolation, many people struggle with this, blind or not. My suggestion is to look for additional ways to get involved and get better acquainted with the  group. I don't believe they seriously intend to make you feel unwelcome, but simply aren't aware that interaction with blind folks is no different than with anyone else. You might consider using humor to ask why everyone looks at you as if you're in a zoo when you speak, to open dialogue on the subject. The important thing is not to get discouraged or stop trying. It will get better.
> Best wishes, Alosha.   
> 
> J.D. Candidate Class of 2017
>> Washburn School of Law
>> daniel.moore at washburn.edu (316)312-3454
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> 
>> On Nov 13, 2016, at 8:38 PM, Ana Martinez via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> hey guys, hope everyone had a good weekend. I have a question and I'm not sure if it's OK to ask it in here, so in my church there is a youth group for college age students. I've been involved with it for the last 2 months, I've done some social activities with the group and I go to mass with them every Sunday. for some reason I feel that I don't belong there though, nobody talks to me unless I talk to them first. and whenever I try to join a conversation everyone gets quiet and I feel that they are stareing at me, has any of you had this experience? how can I fix this? thanks☺️
>> 
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