[nagdu] Body language

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Julie,
I'd be interested in what you learn in the body language class. This is 
something blind people don't get taught much - especially those of us born 
blind.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 11, 2011 5:03 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Body language


>I agree with everything you've said.    I'll write back to the list with 
>what I learn.  I think that our body language could be another useful tool 
>in dealing with access issues.  At least it can't hurt. *smile*
>
> Julie
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lisa Irving" <lirving1234 at cox.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 10:36 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Body language
>
>
>> Yeah Julie, there's a lot to be said about body language. That's why 70% 
>> of what we discern from conversations comes from our body language. When 
>> you've completed the workshop, I'd really appreciate it if you'd contact 
>> me off line. I really want to know as much as I can about body language.
>>
>> These are some body language movements I've received feedback on. Looking 
>> down in sighted society is read as lack of self confidence. Looking at 
>> the person; in the direction of their voice and just a tad above, shows 
>> assertiveness, self confidence and interest in what the other person is 
>> saying. Many years ago a secretary ripped into me because I didn't look 
>> in her direction when she spoke to me. She wrongly accused me of being 
>> rude. Blank stares and not much facial expression is perceived as 
>> depressed, stormy and odd. In social situations such as the women's Bible 
>> study I attend, I try to have an inviting smile. I "gaze" around the 
>> room. I'm not sure if it makes a difference. I figure it beats looking 
>> like I often feel; that is, left out, alone is a sea of chatty and 
>> friendly folks, a bit alienated too. My mother harped at me about pulling 
>> my shoulders back and standing straight. I later learned not only did she 
>> care about my posture, she also recognized how odd blind and visually 
>> impaired individuals look when we look at the ground. In my case I used 
>> to do that because I was straining to see. Speaking of straining to see, 
>> I had a very fruitful conversation with a supervisor a few years ago. She 
>> was bent because she thought I arched my eye brows in disapproval. I 
>> explained to her that some visually impaired folks do this because we're 
>> straining to see. She found the explanation helpful. Her feedback has 
>> helped me to be cognizant about not arching my eye brows. She was also 
>> quite upset with me because when I placed my hand on my hip and leaned 
>> forward on my foot, she perceived me as being defiant. Finally, I was 
>> involved in the production of an inclusion video a few years back. The 
>> videographer spent more time than any of us planned coaching me on not 
>> whipping my head so fast when I looked toward some one. I try to slowly; 
>> not exaggerated, turn my head to one side. He gave me feedback on other 
>> things I was doing that looked out of place. All of this has been quite 
>> helpful.
>>
>> When I'm not glaring or scowling I find people are receptive to helping 
>> or interacting with me.
>>
>> Lisa and Bernie
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2011 10:16 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Beyond the Obvious...How Does Your Guide Assist You?
>>
>>
>>> Yup,  I was in the pharmacy yesterday picking up meds for Kiddo and the 
>>> cashier asks me where Monty is.  I haven't been in there in months, but 
>>> she always remembers Monty's name.  I'm really tempted to ask if she 
>>> remembers my name, which she doesn't because I've never told her, but so 
>>> far I've remained polite.
>>>
>>> I don't mind casual conversations about the dog while I'm standing in 
>>> line, riding the elevator or sitting in a waiting room somewhere.  It's 
>>> idle conversation that passes the time.  I do get severely annoyed when 
>>> I'm trying to conduct some sort of business and the person  keeps 
>>> getting distracted by the dog.
>>>
>>> I can't think of a single conversation about the dog that has resulted 
>>> in some sort of long term business acquaintance or other beneficial 
>>> relationship.  Mostly people seem to want their curiosity satisfied and 
>>> then we part ways never to meet again.
>>>
>>> I'm taking this workshop on body language next month.  I'm very curious 
>>> to see how body language might affect approachability.  I wonder if that 
>>> might be part of the reason that some guide dog handlers are approached 
>>> more often, offered more help or experience more access issues.  I think 
>>> there are a lot of factors that figure into the equation, but body 
>>> language might be one way we could steer the situation into an agreeable 
>>> direction.  it will be interesting.
>>>
>>> Julie
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
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