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

River Woman riverwoman at zoominternet.net
Mon Nov 22 16:20:14 UTC 2010 

Oh, Dixie, this is just nuts. I just had mine last week, too. I am 22 years 
since I had breast cancer, and it was found through a mamogram, so yes, 
folks do not put it off. It can save your life.

But, here is what happened to me recently at a local hospital.

I walked into the Xray Dept as I was told to do.  At the desk, I was handed 
a form to fill out.  I smiled, held up my white cane and said "Well, I would 
like to do that, but I cannot see the form or anything on it."  Nurse said 
"Is someone with you?"  Me:  "No, I am alone."  Nurse: Well, HOW did you get 
here????"  Me:  the bus   Nurse: "Ok, I will fiill it out for you.  She did, 
then pushed it to me to sign.  Me:  Well, if you can put your finger where 
you need me to sign I guess I can do that.  "Nurse"  Nevermind, I will write 
on it for you."

Nurse:  "You can follow the pink line on the floor, and go to the second 
waiting room now."
Me:  "Well, is would follow that line if I could see it. How can I do that?"
Nurse:  "OH, I will get someone to take you there."


Once in the proper dept. nobody had any problem with me at all. I did what 
was requested to get my bone scan. Had a fun conversation with the techies 
there, and left when finished, to go get my bus again.

Even medical people have NO CLUE what to do with US.  Lynda Ri9ver Woman
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dixie" <blueherons at sbcglobal.net>
To: "'List for blind crafters and artists'" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 10:10 AM
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Educating the public, was: So cool!


>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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
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>>>
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>>
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