[nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing

[John G. Heim]

I'm unclear as to the purpose of these centers? Do people go to them for the 
opportunity to do things like rock climbing?  Because I would imagine that 
if the NFB didn't provide opportunities like that, it would be very 
difficult to find them otherwise. I can't imagine most rock climbing places 
letting blind people participate. Heck, one time I tried to sign up for a 
wood working class and they kicked me out when they found out I was blind.

But if a person wants to work on his job and mobility skills, he shouldn't 
be forced to climb rocks. I wouldn't have a problem with state governments 
supporting recreational facilities for the blind. But if these centers are 
intended primarily as rehab centers, then they shouldn't be forcing people 
to climb rocks.

---- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:17 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing


> Hello Jim and listers,
>
>    Okay let me take a stab at this one. I'll insert my comments following
> yours and will indicate them with the letter A. Here goes:
>
> Hello all!
>
> Do all NFB centers insist that clients rock climb?  I'm referring to the
> three NFB centers in Minnesota, Colorado, and Louisiana as well as centers
> which are a part of a state's rehab program as is the case in Iowa and
> Nebraska?
>
> A. Yes
>
>  Can a client be exempt from this exercise due to health, age or
> other complications?
>
> A.
>    Each case is considered on an individual basis.
>
> Have people been denied services from all of the above
> agencies if they refused to rock climb or they obtained a doctor's 
> statement
> that they shouldn't engage in such activity?
>
> A.
>    Recall the discussion of informed choice we've had from time-to-time.
> These centers have a set curriculum students are required to take 
> including
> participation in recreational activities such as rock climbing.     Such
> exemptions could be viewed as attempts by center students to "Menuize" the
> training. They never realize the full benefit of the program if they 
> attempt
> to "Water down" these center curriculums by requesting exemptions from 
> this
> or that part of the training. Here again each case is considered on an
> individual basis.
>
>  What exempts people from this
> activity and if they are exempt, can they still receive services from our
> NFB agencies?
>
>    A.
>    Much of my answer can be found above but I'll add here that if a 
> student
> chooses not to participate in a class or activity all center students must
> attend or take part in they should reconsider their choice of orientation
> and adjustment center if they're unwilling to participate in the entire
> center curriculum.
>
> A friend of mine returned from one of these centers.  He has a badly
> sprained leg or he has pulled ligaments in his leg!  Needless to say, he 
> is
> out of the program or is immobile for an undetermined amount of time! 
> This
> person was otherwise happy with the program and I commend this person  for
> giving it a good try but I think there comes a time when a person my age 
> who
> is twice 30 shouldn't attempt such a thing!  If I were in my 20s and 30s, 
> I
> wouldn't question this but when one is in their late 40s and beyond, I'd
> question whether this is such a good idea!
>
> Any thoughts?A.
>
>    Our centers have had students in their 80s participate in roc climbing,
> skydiving, and other high-impact activities. There are several accounts of
> blind senior citizens that attended our centers and participated in all
> aspects of their programs and had a darn good time doing so published in 
> The
> Braille Monitor. Your friend needs to not allow his accident prevent him
> from returning to the NFB center to finish his training. There are 
> numerous
> accounts of students who due to accident or illness were unable to 
> complete
> the initial part of their training but returned later to finish. This 
> should
> not be a problem.
>
>    As far as doctors exemptions go remember that health care professionals
> are influanced by the same prevailing attitudes and beliefs about 
> blindness
> and our capabilities as is the general public. It would be easy for a 
> doctor
> to "issue a letter requesting that a student not be required to 
> participate
> in this or that part of the center program due to these mistaken attitudes
> and beliefs about the blind. What happens if that same doctor is presented
> with a health report for a blind individual in their 80s wishing to attend 
> a
> sports camp where rock climbing is one of the activities offered and that
> patient chooses to participate in that activity. There's the possibility
> that the doctor may discourage this person from engaging in rock climbing
> even though the person is healthy. They can thank the patient who 
> mistakenly
> believed that older blind individuals shouldn't participate in this
> activity. Let me recommend that you take some rock climbing lessons and 
> then
> reread your post.
>
>    I hope I was able to shed some light on this issue for you. All the
> best.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>
>