[nfb-db] nfb-db Digest, Vol 49, Issue 2

Wed Feb 27 19:09:37 UTC 2013

Congratulations on your completion of training at LCB.  I haven't done training there, but I know some of the staff, and they are top-notch human beings.

Regarding your feelings about crossing your street, no one can over-emphasize your equal right to cross your street safely.  The sooner you internalize your your rights are as worthy as anyone elsel's, the more confident you will be as an independent traveler.

Yes, balance your need for independence with your unique need for safety and convenience.  But don't accept your limitations.  There is more for you and me and other deaf-blind people like us.  Join me and others in bringing SSPs to all deaf-blind people in the U.S.If you don't yet know what an SSP is, go to AADB.org and read the white paper on SSPs.There is an SSP program in Louisiana, but it is severely limited by funding and other issues.  You need to become a part of the movement to overcome the limitations of the SSP program in Louisiana.

Keep the faith, do what you need to do.  Only you in your own heart will know the answers that are right for you.  LCB has given you the skills you need to make the right decisions.  Now is the time to fly. Create your own niche.  You are not alone.  The deaf-blind division needs you.

What state do you live in?  There may be a deaf-blind program in your state.  Thank you for contributing, and please stay in touch.

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 27, 2013, at 12:00 PM, nfb-db-request at nfbnet.org wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Questions About Getting Assistance Across Streets (Kerri Kosten)
>   2. Re: Questions About Getting Assistance Across Streets
>      (Sammons, Elizabeth)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:22:27 -0500
> From: Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [nfb-db] Questions About Getting Assistance Across Streets
> Message-ID:
>    <CAM6GWxyo_4FPvarSViSzK_PRPWFJgDYAg_vyMiD8MjLM0Fb7ow at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> Hi Everyone:
> 
> First, I wanted to say I successfully graduated from the Louisiana
> Center for the Blind on Thursday, January 31.
> It was wonderful. I would not change my decision to go to LCB one bit.
> It was the best decision I ever made.
> It was hard and challenging, but I learned so much.
> And, to those who are wondering, I can't speak to the other two NFB
> centers, but I can definitely say that LCB does work with people with
> severe hearing loss. I am a much much better traveler now than I was
> when I started at the center. I recomend anyone and everyone go there
> for training!
> If you have any questions about training, or what it is like going
> through training at LCB with hearing loss, please do not hesitate to
> ask me either on here or off-list!
> Okay, now for my questions.
> I live on a street now called University Avenue. I live very close to
> a Dollar General which of course sells everything and which I am
> extremely excited about!
> However, in order to get to this Dollar General, I have to cross
> University Avenue. University Avenue is a two-lane road which has a
> ton of traffic. My parents, and travel instructor at the center think
> it would be safest for me to get assistance to cross because of there
> being so much traffic.
> There is a restaurant that is across the street from this Dollar
> General. I can get to the restaurant from my house because I don't
> have to cross University to get to it.
> I was thinking of going into the restaurant and seeing if someone
> could help me across.
> Then, I figured when I am finished at the dollar store, I could ask
> someone at the dollar store to help me back across.
> How have you found people's reactions to be when asking someone like
> an employee of a store or a restaurant to help you across a street?
> Is it usually a problem for them?
> Does it burden them or inconveenience them in any way?
> Should I feel guilty at all for wanting to go to the dollar store
> which is across a pretty busy/heavily traveled street?
> I guess I am just struggling with this a bit because in Ruston when I
> used the sign it was different because there were no stores or
> businesses around.
> I guess I feel a little more guilty here because I don't want to
> inconveence anyone.
> In Ruston they were used to seeing students crossing these streets I
> needed help with.
> Here, everyone and I mean everyone drives.
> Nobody just walks to the dollar General.
> So, it makes me feel guilty/embarrassed having to ask people to walk with me.
> But, at the same time, I live very close to this dollar Store and I
> feel I have a right to walk there as much as someone else has a right
> to drive there.
> Also, since everyone on this list has hearing loss and so theirfore
> likely needs to get assistance crossing certain streets, how do you
> prefer to get assistance?
> Do you find it's easier to go into a business and ask someone such as
> an employee or someone to help you or do you find using the sign/card
> easier?
> I live on University Avenue, and I'm sure I'll need to cross it for
> more than just the dollar store so I guess I have to get used to this
> asking assistance thing lol.
> Like I said it went extremely well in Ruston, but it was different there.
> 
> Thanks,
> Kerri
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:47:55 +0000
> From: "Sammons, Elizabeth" <Elizabeth.Sammons at rsc.ohio.gov>
> To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [nfb-db] Questions About Getting Assistance Across
>    Streets
> Message-ID: <A6FF414F42578C4AA86C7F0FCFF19DC32C69A74D at SOCEMMB03>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> 
> Dear Kerri,
> 
> Imagine your dollar store like any other destination, something that requires planning. Make appropriate arrangements ahead of time, or go there when you expect traffic to be lowest, very early morning, late evening, etc.. It is an imposition on staff to expect them to help you, yes, unless there is an emergency, which everyone understands. Also, it makes you vulnerable. What if I am a rapist or a thief? It's your right to go to the store, but it has to be something you consider in balancing that with your own safety and the duties of others, which do not include helping you.
> 
> 
> Sorry,
> Elizabeth
> 
> Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission - www.rsc.ohio.gov<http://www.rsc.ohio.gov/>
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> End of nfb-db Digest, Vol 49, Issue 2
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