[nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing

Alan awheeler at neb.rr.com
Fri Oct 16 11:07:12 UTC 2009


Very very well said, Peter!

This is a prime example of the importance of these activities.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 1:12 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing


> Hello Tanna and listers,
>
>    An incident  occurred during my one and only rock climbing experience
> that brought home the importance of the role of challenge recreation
> activities in a program designed to empower blind youth and adults by
> teaching them a positive philosophy of blindness and the alternative
> techniques used by the blind. After topping the rock during my second 
> climb
> it was time to repel back to Earth. On my way down I drifted to the right 
> of
> where I should have been when descending the rock face and ended up in a
> tree. I told the ballet I was stuck and asked him how to get down. "Figure
> it out for yourself" he yelled up to me. I needed to figure out why I 
> ended
> up in the tree to begin with, and would need to correct the path of my
> descent to the ground.  This was no different than figuring out why I got
> lost when on a trip and retracing my course of travel in order to find the
> correct route in order to arrive at my intended destination.
>
>    As I lie there on the tree branch harnessed to the rock face with
> nothing but the ballet and the rope holding me my mind drifted back to my
> days at the school for the blind. For a minute I thought of the many 
> nights
> I sat in my dorm room with nothing better to do than to think about girls 
> at
> other schools for the blind and fantasized about possible relationships 
> with
> them never once thinking that this behavior is very destructive and is an
> unproductive way for a blind teen to spend his/her free time and that I 
> was
> not likely to be on the agenda of these women. At no time did anyone at 
> the
> schools for the blind I attended invite us to engage in challenge 
> activities
> such as rock climbing, skydiving,snow and waterskiing,launching rockets, 
> and
> participate in the activities today's blind youth now enjoy. No successful
> blind adults came around to mentor us and to serve as roll models to urge 
> us
> to persue the wildest of dreams. We didn't have the NOPBC or the NFB to
> insure that blind children and youth received a positive start in life.
>
>    For just a minute I lay on that tree branch thinking about all of this.
> After a while I shouted down to the ballet, "This is exactly the kind of
> activity that would have blasted those thoughts about the girls from the
> other schools out of my mind and motivated me to put my life in a more
> positive direction." I eventually got out of the tree and back on the
> ground. I along with the others in our group returned to the convention
> hotel pooped but feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment at having 
> tried
> our hand at rock climbing with varying degrees of success.
>
>    Dr. Jernigan told the story of some students at the Iowa Commission for
> the Blind's orientation adjustment center who complained that it was 
> always
> cold in the building at night and that they wanted to start the fireplace.
> He told them they would need to chop wood in order to have logs for the 
> fire
> but put off the trip to the woodlot until one day when it was very cold 
> and
> the snow had fallen. Some of the students cut down trees while others 
> sawed
> the branches in to logs. All of them helped load up the wood to truck it
> back to the center. That evening those students not only had a fire to 
> warm
> themselves by, but they all went to bed exhausted and feeling good about
> themselves having received such a strong boost of confidence and a sense 
> of
> accomplishment at having helped gather wood for the fireplace. No one went
> to bed worried about the trials of life and how they as blind individuals
> would cope with them.
>
>    Mary and I are staunch supporters of our center programs and the many
> initiatives we have undertaken to involve blind children and teens at an
> early age. These activities need to be a part of our center training
> programs and youth outreach programs to teach blind youth and adults that
> it's okay to be blind. That's the exact reason why activities as rock
> climbing, skydiving, whitewater rafting, camping, canoeing, boating, and
> other high-impact activities are a part of these programs and why students
> are expected to participate in them.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "James Aldrich" <jajkaldrich at gmail.com>
> To: <tshoyo at neb.rr.com>; "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 10:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>
>
> Hello again!
>
> I will simply watch this one!  I have nothing further to say about all of
> this! Thanks all for the good info on the various centers.
>
> Jim
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tanna G. Shoyo" <tshoyo at neb.rr.com>
> To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 8:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>
>
> It sounds like a case of judging a book by it's cover to me.  Rock 
> climbing
> is a way to boost your confidence in your abilities.  Let me pose this
> question:  Would you rather take a chance or stand on the side lines and
> wonder what it would have been like to take that chance.  I attempted to
> climb a rock wall when I worked with blind youth and a few of my students
> made it to the top and others couldn't get themselves off the ground.  I
> commend them because they tried.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Alan" <awheeler at neb.rr.com>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 7:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>
>
>> Ah the classic "super blindy" generalization people like to make about 
>> the
>> NFB.  There may be some in the NFB with this attitude, but it doesn't
>> accurately reflect the organization as a whole.  If I shouldn't make
>> assumptions like the one I was corrected on earlier, then generalizations
>> like this one should not be allowed to stand, either, in my opinion.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "John G. Heim" <jheim at math.wisc.edu>
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 4:46 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>>
>>
>>> In my opinion, it's just another example of the NFB turning it's back on
>>> the part of the blind community that needs it most.   This is exactly 
>>> why
>>> the NFB philosophy is so harmful. Rock climbing just isn't for everyone.
>>> You shouldn't have to be super, rock climbing blind guy (or gal) to
>>> receive services from the NFB.
>>>
>>> The NFB philosophy blames the victim. If you aren't making it in this
>>> world, it's your own fault. Get in here and get some climbing in and
>>> everything will be rosy. But  I'd like to see some real evidence that
>>> rock climbing makes any difference what so ever. Oh, I have little doubt
>>> that those who go through with the climbing do better than those who
>>> don't. But that's most likely because they're more motivated in the 
>>> first
>>> place. Of course people who are willing to climb rocks do better than
>>> those who don't. But what about all those people who are scared away 
>>> from
>>> the NFB centers because they have to climb rocks? Doesn't the NFB have a
>>> responsibility to aid those people too? Don't they have an even 
>>> *greater*
>>> responsibility to help those people?
>>>
>>> Essentially, the NFB philosophy says we're only going to help people who
>>> don't really need our help that much. We're only going to help people 
>>> who
>>> probably would make it on their own anyway. If you're really messed up,
>>> well, too bad for you. If you're not super blind guy (or gal) we're not
>>> interested in helping you.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
>>> To: "Chad Allen" <chad at chadallenmagic.com>; "NFB Talk Mailing List"
>>> <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 12:43 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>>>
>>>
>>>> Good afternoon everyone,
>>>>
>>>>    Exactly. Anyone who doesn't want to fulfill this requirement for
>>>> successful completion of training at one of our centers needs to 
>>>> rethink
>>>> their choice of orientation and adjustment center. Informed choice
>>>> rules!
>>>>
>>>> Peter Donahue
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Chad Allen" <chad at chadallenmagic.com>
>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 12:03 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> It is considered a requirement for graduation from the center.
>>>> Everything is
>>>> discussed prior to enrollment and is simply par for the course.
>>>>
>>>> -original message-
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>>>> From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
>>>> Date: 10/15/2009 10:31 AM
>>>>
>>>> oh yea,
>>>>
>>>> try getting out of it!
>>>>
>>>> Bryan Schulz
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Alan" <awheeler at neb.rr.com>
>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 10:44 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> No one is forced.  It is, to my knowledge, just an option.
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "John G. Heim" <jheim at math.wisc.edu>
>>>>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2009 10:03 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] NFB Centers and Rock Climbing
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> 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
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>
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