[Nfb-krafters-korner] Educating the public, was: So cool!

Dixie blueherons at sbcglobal.net
Mon Nov 22 15:10:19 UTC 2010 

I just had my mammogram this past week.  When I went in for the appointment
the technician mumbled something about how she wished the receptionist had
told her I was blind.  So I went through the mammogram...  ok, time for the
pitch.  Please make sure you all get your annual mammograms.  Ok, off my
soap box.  back to the story.  So at the end of the mammogram I inquired of
the technician why she would have needed to know ahead of time that I was
blind to do a mammogram?  Her response was that she would have liked to have
had an assistant to assist her and me for the mammogram.  To do what I
inquired?  Well she said often people need the assistant to help them stand
for the mammogram.  Hmmm, makes you wonder doesn't it?  I didn't know my
eyes were connected to my legs!  And this is a health professional?


Now here Becky is going to make an item for the woman.  It almost seems like
to me we have to prove our abilities to the world.  Then we get the "wow!
You are so amazing" baloney!  I guess I would like to just blend back into
the general population and not be a spectacle all the time!





The very average  Dixie
~  @-> ~ <-@  ~



-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Becky
Frankeberger
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 9:49 AM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] So cool!

This gal tried to put us off, well my husband off.  He finally had to call
4H and they talked to her about fulfilling her gift we paid for.  My husband
won't take no for an answer.  She put him off one to many times.  So January
is our next time to get together.She set that not me, smile.  She seems to
want to work with me.  She was shocked that I knit.  She went on and on how
her nine year old daughter knits.  She made me a little gift of a necklace.
I will bring her a little gift when I go next time. I will entice her if she
puts me off.  Hey this old dog ain't dumb, giggle.  I will have to ask my
driver what colors she has.  I noticed no little decorative pillows on her
couch. I have a little lumbar blow up pillow here still in the bag.  I will
make a pretty pocket for it that looks like a decorative pillow.     

Becky sending hugs all around, and Jake 
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of River Woman
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 5:34 AM
To: List for blind crafters and artists
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] So cool!

Most people have no clue what to do with a blind person or how to teach 
them. Most have never encountered a blind person up close and personal, I 
think. I was very worried about this same thing when I went with my friend 
to my first pottery class right after I lost my sight three years ago.  She 
had no clue I could not see during the class. Afterwards, I waited till the 
others had left, and I told the teacher "I don't see very well, and may need

a bit of extra help."  Of course, she had no idea how much I don't see, till

later classes. I was very lucky, my teacher turned out to be a true teacher 
who has the interests of each of her students in mind when she teaches. I am

still with her and we are creating wonderful things because she became my 
mentor and is so proud of what I make in her classes. When I have my first 
solo show next year, as a ceramic artist, she says she is bring a bus full 
of people to the opening of the show. But, this is certainly not typical.

I have to say  during my years of teaching in the college I had two 
experiences with blind students. they were very negative experiences but it 
was the only view I had of blind people and how they behave, or not.

They were horrible people. They expected everything and everyone to stop and

take care of their needs - came to class late, disturbed other students in 
the lecture hall by coming in 20 minuted into the lecture, then shoving down

the row to get to their seat with no concern about how disturbing this is to

everyone else, 200 people, who were there on time and doing their work.

Another blind student came on my trip to Austria which was always a month 
long. She created so many distractions, and there were constant problems to 
the point that the tour director had to send her back home a week early for 
her own safety.
This was my view of blind people - and when I lost my sight I made sure that

I would never, ever, be a person like these two are and that I would be 
considerate of others and never make demands but learn to be part of the 
group as a peer.
No college professor is trained to know how to deal with handicapped 
students, that I know of. We are trained to work within our discipline and 
have no clue as to hlow to help people with disabilities. I have had other 
students with disabilities far worse than the two blind students and they 
were fabulous students, did their work, came to class on time, and did not 
use their disabilities as an excuse for doing nothing. The two blind 
students used their blindness as a reason to do nothing and expected special

compensations all the time. It was a horrible experience to have them in my 
classes, and other profs. had the same situations with them. Later, I 
learned the one had been this way even at the blind rehab school.

I think as a blind person now that I need to be aware that the people with 
whom I am in contact do not know how or what to do with us, and it is up to 
us to lead the way and help them to help us - but with dignity, not by 
demands or unrealistic expectations on the teacher.

Lynda River Woman


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lauren Merryfield" <lauren1 at catliness.com>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 12:02 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] So cool!


> Hi,
> That is neat/cool!  I hope the lady doesn't try to keep you from coming 
> back.  I had that happen once at a jewelry-making event when I showed up 
> as a blind person.  There were 3 sessions and she kept putting off the 2nd

> and 3rd sessions because of my blindness.  Well, because of her attitude 
> about the blindness.
> Thanks
> Lauren
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Becky Frankeberger" <b.butterfly at comcast.net>
> To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" 
> <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, November 21, 2010 7:09 PM
> Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] So cool!
>
>
>> My husband gave me a wonderful gift.  He bought me at a fund raiser at 4H

>> a
>> class on how to bend silver wire to make jewelry.  Isn't that sweet, 
>> smile.
>> So my friend Molly and I drove to this lady's palatial home.  We started 
>> off
>> with snacks.  Then we got into some of the silver wire jewelry I could 
>> make
>> with her.  However snow fell like crazy and my driver got nervous.  So we
>> decided to come back another time for the actual lesson and dinner. 
>> There
>> were other things she hinted at doing, but it will have to wait until 
>> next
>> year as she is very busy.
>>
>> She was definitely put off that I am blind.  As we talked and related
>> stories, she relaxed and we had a marvelous visit, though short.
>>
>> Lauri she makes her own clasps.  They look like part of the actual piece.
>> Think of a sideways J, but the J has an extra curly Q.   The metal loop 
>> goes
>> through the J opening and rests at the other rounded end.  It looks super
>> secure.  Anyway, I am told they are easily made.  My friend has the 
>> bending
>> tool.  We will see how it goes.
>>
>> I am just so excited to learn this new craft, smile.
>>
>> When I got home my husband called a friend of his on a matter.  My 
>> husband
>> mentioned I have a purple, lilac, and white throw for sell.  His friend
>> wanted a description, and then asked how much.  The throw is now sold,
>> smile. Guess I better finish the edging, giggle.
>>
>> Becky and the snow pup Jake
>>
>>
>>
>>
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