[Nfb-krafters-korner] two Ot'S

Mon Oct 26 11:27:55 UTC 2015

Lauren,

Get a clue. You as one tiny little individual are not going to change the 
religious beliefs of an entire church in a day. It will take a long time and 
a lot of patience. If you don't want to invest that time and patience, then 
leave and find a church that includes you. You know they exist because you 
have experienced them. Have you ever heard the story of the Princess and the 
Pea? Some battles are simply not worth fighting. Now, what's going on in our 
crafting world?

Greg

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lauren Merryfield via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2015 2:32 AM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Cc: Lauren Merryfield
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] two Ot'S

Hi,
I've sung in formal choirs where they gave me a chair behind me that didn't 
show. The opinion that a chair looks less professional is part of the 
problem. Disabled people are often treated as if we are a blemish, less 
professionall-looking, stick out like a sore thumb, when all we want is to 
be included. That a chair looks less professional sounds arrogant to me, 
especially because on some occasions, in certain circumstances, I've used 
one and things were fine. One choir, not related to a particular church, 
began recording the music on tapes for everyone, not just me. They allowed 
for chairs for several members; not just me. They told me I had given them 
some options that affected their idea of diversity and they wanted their 
choir to represent anyone who passed the auditions and could sing with them.

The trouble with my church is that what they really want is for disabled 
people to be healed. When we aren't, they become very uncomfortable. Some of 
them would not want an "unhealed" person up in front of everyone. I really 
like my church so I am hoping they will bend some pretty soon. I've been 
really patient with them. But I'm feeling the stirrings of less patience 
coming on.
Thanks,
Lauren, who can only take so much
Blessings in Jesus’ name:
My digital evangelism blog is at:
www dot ask in jesus name dot org (you need to retype it)
Psalm 34:1-2 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall 
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the 
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
Advice from my cats:”meow when you feel like it.”

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
Behalf Of linda blasingim via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2015 7:35 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists' <nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org>
Cc: linda blasingim <lblasingim at charter.net>
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] two Ot'S

We don't have choirs at the church I attend; but, I have attended churches 
who have had choirs.  The choirs are very formal, for the most part.  They 
stand in arranged positions, some wear robes etc.  If you sit, the choir 
would not look as professional or good as it would if all members were 
standing.  In my opinion, if you are not used at this place, go somewhere 
where you can be comfortable and feel a part.
As for the comments they make regarding your crocheting; it is just 
something we tolerate.  Don't make an issue of it and eventually you will be 
seen as a capable person with skills and interests just like others.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
Behalf Of Lauren Merryfield via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2015 9:18 PM
To: 'List for blind crafters and artists'
Cc: Lauren Merryfield
Subject: Re: [Nfb-krafters-korner] two Ot'S

Hi,
How do you get your church people in charge to let you sing with them? I 
have been able to talk every other church into it until my current one. They 
have a professional-sounding band and worship song leader. I asked to sing 
and I had to audition; a first. I passed the audition. I went to a couple 
rehearsals but the pastor felt like there might be too many complications 
for me to sing with them. Part of that is that I have foot issues and cannot 
stand for long. My solution would be something as ordinary as a chair behind 
me. But they consider that kind of thing a "complication."

Now, I've written a song (I've done that since childhood) well, not written; 
composed. I asked if I could teach it to the band and praise singers and the 
pastor said I could ask our worship leader but I probably would not be able 
to. It was like he was deciding before ever hearing it, that it would be no.

They always say "we have someone else who does that already" or "we have 
that taken care of" or other ways of saying "we don't need you; stay in the 
pew and that's okay but don't ask to do anything." Kind of thing.

I know this is considered by some to be O T but I have the same issue with 
crafts. So many sighted people don't even want to try to teach me how to 
make things since I am totally blind since birth. That's why I'm glad we 
have this division and list. They don't believe I can do something until 
they see it; like "seeing is believing" is it. Then when I do something like 
crocheting, they act like it's so amazing. Well, it isn't.

Music is a craft, so I don't consider it off topic. I'm about ready to put 
the president of the Communities of Faith, Tom Anderson, in touch with my 
church. I don't want to ruffle feathers (not too much anyway) or ruin my 
stay there, but I've been there a year-and-a-half and they only want me to 
worship with them, from my pew. Well, they'd like me to tithe, too, of 
course.

I really like my church but I feel like I'm being pushed against a brick 
wall.
Thanks,
Lauren

Blessings in Jesus’ name:
My digital evangelism blog is at:
www dot ask in jesus name dot org (you need to retype it) Psalm 34:1-2 I 
will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my 
mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear 
thereof, and be glad.
Advice from my cats:”meow when you feel like it.”

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfb-krafters-korner [mailto:nfb-krafters-korner-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
Behalf Of Sandra Streeter via Nfb-krafters-korner
Sent: Sunday, October 25, 2015 5:33 PM
To: nfb-krafters-korner at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sandra Streeter <sandrastreeter381 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Nfb-krafters-korner] two Ot'S

Hi, everyone!

Before going further, want to suggest that, if anyone's interested in the 
items in my post, they can feel free to email me privately, since they’re a 
bit OT, and I don’t want to clutter the list more than I already am!

First: So sorry, Barb, about your cancellation—that must be deflating, 
though you seem to be handling things well. Hope you get the go-ahead 
soon—we’re all pullin’ for you.

Also: Musically, my main focus has been voice: choirs since 2nd grade, 
church worship teams from my 20s, now really striving to overcome vocal 
shyness about doing solos: I’m due for one next Sun., so if you’re a praying 
person, have at it! I am not a Braille music reader—tried it when I was 
small, didn’t find it was my thing—so, since my advanced choral work has 
required making notes in my score to remind me of different scenarios as 
they’re about to arise, I devised a tactile marking system. I took a little 
piano growing up, but don’t have a suitable keyboard I’d be motivated to 
practice on. Recently, I was GIVEN a flute by a friend who can no longer use 
it—but found myself, after some research, to be a small-handed girl, so 
eventually will have to invest in some key extensions, probably—since I’ve 
always wanted to learn flute, since my teen-aged days as a fan of the Moody 
Blues. I did invest in Bill Brown’s flute by ear course, so hope once I get 
key extensions, to pursue that further. Anyone know where I can get those 
affordably, and about how much I can expect to pay?

Also, if anyone knows how to make it so you can listen to radio stations 
online and still do other things on the computer that require JAWS, please 
email me—classic rock around here is pretty dull, but I know of a station in 
Boston that is just as good as in the 80s, when I studied up at Gordon 
College... Ideally, I want to have the radio at a lower volume so I can 
still hear whatever I’m word processing or reading with OpenBook.

And to the one item not OT: is WoolEase sort-of-cashmere-like, in texture? 
For winter projects, I love that texture!

Sandra
“To love another person is to see the face of God.”
(Les Miserables--the musical)
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