[Nfb-seniors] Great Call

[Judy Mayo]

Hi Judy Jones,
My name is Judy also from Pennsylvania. I want to wish you good luck
on getting seniors to want to learn anything about being visually
impaired or blind or learning how to use things made for the vlind and
visually impaired. I used to go to the Center for Vision Loss in
Allentown, PA. I am a senior and for 2 years tried so hard to get
other seniors to want to learn about Braille, using the white cane,
using a computer and even how to use a can opener. I even told one
senior lady that I would get to her apartment to teach her how to use
a can opener. She does not talk to me anymore. Most of the seniors in
the group I was in want to do is complain about how they do not know
how to do something, but do not want to learn how to do it. MOst of
the middle age people who used to go stopped going because of the
complaining seniors. It is a shame. I stopped going also.  Another
lady who is totally blind wants to learn how to cook and I offered to
go to her home to teach her basic things. Because the Center staff has
her convinced that because I am not qualified to teach her, she will
not call me to set up at time for me to go to her home. I tried so
hard to talk to the people at this center to get them to want to
learn, but kept getting the "rug pulled out from under me" so to
speak. I gave up. I haven't given up on myself though. I am 62 years
old and still learning.
I could go on and on, but there is no need to. Good luck goes to you though.
Judy H Mayo


On 2/25/15, Judy Jones via Nfb-seniors <nfb-seniors at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hello again.
>
> My husband, Chris, is president of our local chapter, and I am secretary.,
> mainly made up of seniors.  The gentleman that started the affiliate was
> president for a couple years before we joined, and ran it like a senior
> support group, with really no training of any kind in NFB philosophy or any
>
> attempt at educating in philosophy and encouragement of trying new things.
>
> The people who joined have been friends of his for a long time, are also
> losing their sight.  All have macular degeneration.
>
> Once we joined we  are attempting to gently introduce concepts, and are
> trying to help build a foundation.  I believe this may take patient and
> consistent repetition.
>
> They do not relate to us, as both my husband and I have Retinopathy Of
> Prematurity.  They believe we don't miss or can never understand what we
> have never had.  Sight.
>
> We presented all the information on this month's call at our February 9
> meeting.  Both my husband and I had occasion to check with various ones,
> reminding them of the call.  No reaction.  When I asked one lady's
> assistance about helping spread the word about the call, she couldn't
> understand why seniors would even be interested in anything like cane travel
>
> or braille.  Why should seniors be on a call like this?  I explained again
> that the call is sponsored by the national senior division, and that the
> calls are tailored for seniors and their needs.  We will continue to give
> reminders of the upcoming calls.
>
> My big question is how to excite our seniors to join the call, and more than
>
> that, help them to realize there is learning and tools to be had.  I have
> made sure they are all receiving the Braille Monitor in the format they
> requested.  None are reading, nor is there any interest.  Any audio they do
>
> not like as it is not visual, but anything visual we can try to bring in
> they do not like as they cannot see it.
>
> They really are a nice group of people, and will participate in our annual
> state Senior Division picnic.  However, there is no interest in state or
> national convention, no interest in what is going on in the state or
> nationally
>
> There are many who are sure they can't learn anything else, some who are
> very nice about it but flat don't want to know anything else, although they
>
> are great people to relate to in other areas..  They are not excited about
> any possibilities available to them.  They are interested in how much they
> can still see, the latest medical breakthrough or home remedy.
>
> We did have a great Christmas party everyone thoroughly enjoyed, but there
> is no interest in anything blindness-related or the the possibility of
> different thought processes.
>
> One idea Chris and I have had we want to implement is conducting phone
> interviews during the meeting of persons who have lost their sight later in
>
> life and overcome barriers to live an active life.  We are looking for
> volunteers to do this, in hopes that someone's story will help someone in
> our group turn that mental corner from just coping, to embracing what is
> available for them.
>
> I apologize for rambling on and hope II have not come across as a whiner.
> (smiles), but joined this list for support, ideas, and in hopes of helping
> someone else.   We truly do want to reach these precious people.
>
> BTW, my husband, Chris, also just joined the list, so you may also see his
> posts.  Thanks in advance to all who will be reading this post.
>
> Judy
>


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