[Nfbf-l] ideas needed

[Judith Hamilton]

Excellent advice, Jody.

Judy




> [Original Message]
> From: Jody W. Ianuzzi <jody at thewhitehats.com>
> To: NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
> Date: 10/30/2011 5:56:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] ideas needed
>
> Hello Doreen,
>
>
> I could write privately but this is such a good subject to share. 
Everyone
> has their own perspective to compare to.
>
> I think Carolyn's programs for kids are fantastic as are all her programs.
> It isn't that far to WPB for these events and they sound fantastic.
>
> When I was growing up it was assumed I saw better then I did and just this
> afternoon my mother said that I should have described my vision better so
> they could understand it.  I explained to her that I had nothing to
compare
> to and I had no idea what 'normal' vision was so when they asked f I could
> see things I said yes.  I could see them but my images were a blur and
their
> images were clear.  We had a communications problem and that lead to many
> problems, missed opportunities and some really dangerous situations as I
> attempted to 'pass' as sighted and do things like everyone else.
>
> Torrie is so lucky to have parents who understand how limited her vision
is.
> the problem is that her teachers don't realize the limitations so when
they
> ask if she can see she says yes.  The same assumptions are being made as
> when I was growing up with neither Torrie nor the teachers understanding
> that the images are different.
>
> There are two factors here the physical and the social.  Socially Torrie
> wants to be like everyone else.  Don't we all?  It takes a real mature
> understanding of the world to realize that each person is different in
their
> own way.  some people are tall, others are short, some are fat and others
> skinny.  We come in all kinds of shapes sizes.  Imagine how boring the
world
> would be if everyone was exactly the same.    at one point in your
maturing
> you realize you really don't care what people think.
>
> Torrie doesn't have to decide to be normal and sighted or different and
> blind.  she can be normal and blind.  she can realize that blind people
ARE
> like everyone else they just don't see well.  By using the tools she is
> being given she can compete and succeed but she needs to use the tools not
> try and make believe she is something she is notbecause the energy that
> requires takes away from her learning the skills she needs.
>
> Since you and her NFB friends have a positive attitude towards blindness,
I
> wonder who is giving her the negative attitude?  If her teachers, parents
> and friends are all positive about it then she would be positive too. 
Some
> where she is getting negative messages and that is the problem, the
problems
> you are seeing are only symptoms.
>
> As ffor safety, I didn't realize how many clues I was getting from the
> people I was walking with.  We lived out in the country so if we went to
> town I was always with someone.  When they saw the light change we crossed
> the street.  When they stepped off a curb I was there and follwed their
> lead.  Right now Torrie is following.  One thing you might do is have her
> lead and try and make decision of when to cross the street and don't tell
> her if there are obstacles or stairs, let her bump in to them Obviously
you
> should let her fall down stairs but if she falls in the little puddles she
> will learn to avoid the big puddles.  
>
> Since she assumes she sees more then she does you might comment on things
> that she can't see to point out the difference.  I didn't realize this
until
> my children were little and told me about things at a distance they saw
and
> I didn't see.  Don't ask her what she sees because she has nothing to
> compare to.  I hate it when people do this because I can't tell them. 
This
> ight sound mean but set her up in situations where she would benefit from
> having her cane and be there if she needs help.  Let her discover what the
> cane does for her.  Leave it home and see if she starts asking to bring
it. 
>
> Torrie is going to have to realize these things on her own, you can't tell
> her.  You can show her by explaining the differences in people and you can
> step back and have her discover how much she needs her cane but you can't
> make her see these things.
>
> Kids will be kids and if you make them do something they resent it. 
Torrie
> doesn't realize how lucky she is because so many of us were told to put
the
> cane away by parents and family.  You are encouraging and I envy Torrie
> that.  But you have to let her discover on her own.
>
> Life isn't very demanding for a 7 year old but as life throws more and
more
> at her she will be glad you got her started on the right foot.
>
> JODY
>  
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfbf-l mailing list
> Nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Nfbf-l:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-l_nfbnet.org/jrhamilton51%40earthlink
.net