[nfb-talk] Independent Living Skills

[Mark Tardif]

And didn't that feel good to do that ordering on your own?  That feeling in 
itself makes it worth having and developing those skills.  And having those 
skills available to you also gives you some choices about how you will do 
things.  For example, in a crowded situation, you might choose to go sighted 
guide with someone and move quickly, or you still may choose to just use 
your cane and just walk with that person that way.  One of my big 
independence stories involved getting an unlimited mobility pass when I was 
attending a residential school in Connecticut.  This allowed me to travel 
all over Hartford and to take the bus home from school every Friday without 
my parents having to get me.  What a feeling!  These skills served me in 
later life, when I went to college and at various times when I moved.  For 
example, when I moved to Cleveland, Ohio, I wanted to get a hair cut before 
starting my job.  So, I simply asked about barber shops, called the bus 
company to get bus numbers, and away I went.  Those steps towards greater 
independence, whether it's learning how to check in when you are about to 
take a flight, learning to cook certain things you thought might be 
dangerous, or learning how to order a meal on your own at a restaurant, are 
all steps in the right direction, and whatever that step is, enjoy the heck 
out of that feeling.



Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Roanna Bacchus via nfb-talk
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2014 9:09 AM
To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfb-talk] Independent Living Skills

Dear Members,

This weekend I have been thinking about the importance of
learning independent living skills.  Sometimes people do not
expect that blind people can perform certain tasks independently
without help or sighted assistance.  For the last several years
my mom and older sisters have helped me to complete certain
tasks.  Last week my dad and I walked into Subway on the UCF
campus so I could get some lunch before taking an exam.  I
ordered my own sandwich independently and was able to tell the
person behind the counter what I wanted on it.  Recently I've
also been heating up my lunch in the microwave that has velcro
labels on it.  I'd like to hear your stories about practicing and
learning independent living skills.  Why do you thinking learning
independent living skills is important.

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