[nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing

[John G. Heim]

Well, yes, I did get woodworking lessons at the University of Wisconsin 
where I work. They have mini-courses and one of them is woodworking. Of 
course, I was not a novice. I've built many things. The reason I wanted 
formal training is that I wanted to make clock cases. My job status was iffy 
and I thought maybe I could start a business selling clocks in hand-made 
cases. I got another job though, better than the previous one in both job 
satisfaction and compensation. I'd never have been able to be a professional 
woodworker anyway.

Actually, my experience regarding my previous job lead me to create a 
non-profit called the International Association of Visually Impaired 
Technologists (IAVIT). It's not just me but I see a lot of blind computer 
nerds get "backwatered". By that I mean they are not given the juicy 
assignments in their company. They may be doing their job well but as 
technology changes, they are not given the opportunity to get involved in 
the new exciting stuff. Slowly, they become less and less important to their 
employer. And then when layoffs come along, they are the ones to go. And in 
a way, that is fair. After all, they are less important than their sighted 
counterparts.  To a degree, that is what happened to me. I didn't allow it 
to play out though. I worked evenings and weekends to learn new skills that 
eventually landed me the job I have now.

But I started IAVIT to help to prevent this from happening to others. For 
more information about IAVIT, see http://www.iavit.org/.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "d m gina" <dmgina at samobile.net>
To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 4:21 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing


> Oh did you ever get a chance to work in the wood shop?
> when I was in school, as well as the rehab center in Denver, I made two 
> lamps, as well as yes record cases.
> I was thrilled.
> I also did a sewing box.
> I still have the box.
> I love the feel of the wood we used at the time.
> The lamps I gave to family.
> I hope you got the chance.
> Now for the electric saw we did get help.
> I did anyway.
> I am being short, everything was tall.
> I got assistance with this, so it all worked out well.
> I know a schoolmate who makes items for folks.
> does quite well.
> I love to see his work.
>
> -- 
> --Dar
> skype
> dmgina23
> every saint has a past
> every sinner has a future
>
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