[Nfbmo] Talking about going blind

[Roger Crome]

That's an awesome idea Debbie.  There is a sense of loss that many times we
are conditioned to pretend doesn't exist, but it is real.  This could be a
really solid method for providing a natural support through outreach.  If I
can, I would be happy to join in on this discussion.
Roger

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmo [mailto:nfbmo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Debbie Wunder via
Nfbmo
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 8:35 AM
To: nfb of missouri mailing list
Cc: Debbie Wunder
Subject: [Nfbmo] Talking about going blind

In our organization we spend a lot of time talking about what it  is like to
be blind, but many of us don't talk much about the 

process of having vision, losing it, and the sadness and adjustment that
going blind causes. Toughing it through may be 

what we do, but in the same way we support one another in problems with
being blind, we should support one another in the 

process of going blind. In my own case I have always been legally blind, so
I know very well about what blind people can 

do, but that doesn't change how difficult it is to lose what vision you
have. In fact, it may be worse because I often feel 

that I should not feel as I do given what I know about being blind. 

 

Things do discuss might be learning to use environmental cues you once
ignored to figure out your surroundings, those missing because you can no
longer see light or follow the white to determine you are on the sidewalk,
learning new cooking methods, figuring out how to label clothes you could
once see well enough to match without help, how to deal with printed
material you once could read, and learning how not to be so tough on
yourself when things seem too overwhelming.

 

If anyone is interested in joining in a conference call to talk through
this, please let me know. I do not want a pity party, 

but neither do I want to deny that sometimes feelings we have do make us cry
and feel badly about our loss.

 

If you want to participate in a conference call, how about Wednesday the 10?
about 8 PM? We can use the number (712) 432-0180 and the passcode 1774.
Thanks. In the Federation we can do anything, and that includes helping all
of us through whatever we are facing. Let's give this a try. 

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