[nagdu] a blind consumer'sRight toChooserehabtraining(federalregs)

[Larry D. Keeler]

Julie, of course you're right!  Most counsellors really try and do what 
they're supposed too.  BBut some think they know better than the client 
without listening to that client first.  I have had both kinds.
----- 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, November 11, 2011 4:24 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a blind consumer'sRight 
toChooserehabtraining(federalregs)


> In defense of rehabilitation counselors, they are just like us, human. 
> They may see potential in you that you don't see.  They may be trying to 
> get you thinking outside of the box, so to speak and may suggest things 
> you hadn't considered.  Sometimes it's difficult to be encouraging while 
> still being realistic.  None of us can see into the future to know exactly 
> what the person on the other side of the desk is capable of.
>
> I used to work in rehabilitation and still do in a different capacity. 
> I've seen folks with huge dreams, but their daily actions don't fit with 
> what they are saying they want to do.   I've talked with folks who tell me 
> they want to work in drug/alcohol prevention.  Yet when I make suggestions 
> of things they could do now like learning Braille, joining local 
> prevention organizations, checking out colleges etc. they make excuses and 
> don't do any of those things.  So is it awful of the counselor to tell the 
> client the agency can't support them in that goal?
>
> Outside of the professional rehabilitation scene, I've frequently had 
> email and phone calls from individuals who want to owner train their guide 
> dog.  Some of them I encourage and some I try to gently suggest they try a 
> different avenue for getting a guide.  Do I believe blind people can train 
> their own guide dog?  Absolutely.  It is, however, an entirely different 
> question to ask can this person I am talking to train their own guide? 
> Maybe yes and maybe no, but blindness isn't as big of a factor as 
> commitment, ambition and resourcefulness are.
>
> And then there are rehab counselors who do not have a very positive view 
> of what blind people can truly accomplish. *sigh*  That is a whole 
> different discussion.
>
> anyway I'm just saying to try to understand where the counselor is coming 
> from because it will help you know how to proceed to get yourself what you 
> need.
>
> JMHO
> Julie
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