[Nfbc-info] NFB Gumption

[Lisa Irving]

Hello, 

 

Long before I revived the NFBC San Diego Chapter I understood the value of
persistence, flexibility and determination. I've learned how to turn
adversity into opportunity. I also discovered that all of my determination
hasn't magically made all of my challenges in life evaporate.  I wish. What
I can say is this, never lower your standards even when individuals and
organizations bend your hand back. Below is the abbreviated version of a six
year journey.   

 

Some of you know that my marriage   ended as a result of violence. I ended
up moving into a sketchy area because of the decent public transportation
and mostly because I could afford the rent. For more than two thousand
nights I listened to mice scurry inside the ceiling of my apartment, I
trapped almost 40 mice; my apartment was sprayed for roaches at least 24
times. This doesn't include the layers of powdered poison. In addition, drug
deals were done in the alley, near the dumpsters where I emptied my trash,
behind the apartment complex. Moreover, every evening when I took my guide
dog out I feared becoming a drive-by-shooting statistic. Notwithstanding, I
was tired of going toe-to-toe with management to get major repairs done.
Meanwhile, I was compelled to press upward. 

 

During the six year time-span I sought out safe and affordable housing.
Money hasn't been the only major hurdle to identifying housing
opportunities. Access to housing lists, online applications, other paperwork
and housing websites   have been huge barriers. During all of this time I
reconstructed my life. In reconstructing my life I chose a new career path
in the area of public mental health. Learning new things also includes
learning how inaccessible fillable workbooks can be; how non-inclusive local
and national mental health trainings can be and how inflexible employers can
be when it comes to the pesky requirement to drive. That's the downside of
my life. Now, here's the upside. 

 

These days I don't view my  life as a pathetic country song. My lifelong
friend and her husband co-signed for my affordable housing apartment. Yes,
my income is too low for this particular affordable housing program. Lol.
I'm trying to work out some glitches volunteering for a major mental health
organization.  I reside  further away from fast food; that's good news. I am
making progress building relationships with women in my faith community.
Perhaps you're wondering where I got my gumption? Here's the concise answer.
My mother; she believed in me when the "professionals didn't. My faith; it
has been my cornerstone. And notwithstanding, the National Federation of the
Blind.               Specifically, my mentor, the Braille Monitor and
leadership opportunities.