[Nfb-krafters-korner] Educating the public, was: So cool!
Lauren Merryfield
lauren1 at catliness.com
Mon Nov 22 22:54:36 UTC 2010
Hi,
Sometimes when I fall, people have said "I would fall easily too if I
couldn't see." So I worry that I am fitting their stereotypes. Some blind
people, who are only blind, have been rude to me because of my other
disabilities.
Thanks
Lauren
----- Original Message -----
From: "qubit" <lauraeaves at yahoo.com>
To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Educating the public, was: So cool!
> Hi again --
> You know, I am afraid I inadvertently match some of those stupid
> stereotypes
> because I have multiple disabilities -- for example, the idea that blind
> people can't hear and need to be spoken to loudly -- well, I have a severe
> hearing loss that is mostly corrected by hearing aids, and so I sometimes
> ask people to speak up. Another one: blind people can't find their way
> around. Well, I used to walk, but I have always had my brittle bone
> problem
> and after a string of catastrophic broken bones and surgeries, I chose to
> use the wheelchair all the time except to get in and out of a car or
> whatever. But indeed, even when I was walking, I am breakable -- another
> stereotype. All I can say is, sorry people! I can't help this conbo of
> problems. Now if Becky Frankforter is reading this, she has strategies
> for
> mobility in a wheelchair, but in general, it is a trick, and the strategy
> has to be adjusted to fit each person -- no one size fits all. I
> typically
> always get someone to push me when I am outside in unfamiliar territory,
> mainly because in the event I were to fall down off a curb or something, I
> would most certainly break something. So I am just afraid. And I have
> flipped down off curbs accidently in a wheelchair, and it is not fun.
> On a more positive note, I considered taking a class in college, back
> when
> I was walking. But the first day when I went into class, I encountered
> another nightmare environmental factor: slippery floors. There was
> something like dust on the floors that turned into a frictionless surface
> when wet, and so it was worse than walking on ice for me to get around in
> class. I dropped the class immediately, even though the instructor was
> excited for me to be there.
> Now if I had gone in my wheelchair it wouldn't have been a problem.
>
> Happy krafting all!
> --le
>
> pottery
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "River Woman" <riverwoman at zoominternet.net>
> To: "List for blind crafters and artists" <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, November 22, 2010 10:20 AM
> Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] Educating the public, was: So cool!
>
>
> 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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>>>>
>>>> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
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>
>
>
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