[nfbwatlk] Colorado Center for the Blind

[mjc59 at q.com]

Hi Debby,

I think you are spot on with your thoughts. In order for others to accept and respect you as an equal you must believe it yourself to the core of your being. The Colorado Center is the right place to go to help you realize this. It is operated completely on Federation philosophy. 

I also understand completely your concern about wanting an equal give-and-take relationship with your spouse. I have had to work on this aspect of my relationship with Raymond, my sighted significant other. The sighted people in our lives can have the same low expectations as the rest of society. Even when Raymond and I are walking hand-in-hand I always use my cane as I do when I'm alone. He reads certain things for me, and I help  him deal with insurance companies, health care and other bureaucracies. Having a solid CCB philosophy under your belt would, I believe, help you with this. 

We were both much younger when we attended the old OTC program. It took me awhile to fully appreciate the training we received there. I have some fun memories from time spent with you back in the day.
 
I would love to have coffee with you if you come to Seattle for any reason. Since I have already posted my phone number in the NFBW scholarship material, let me also give it to you; 206-933-7971.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help you with regarding attending the CCB.

Warmly,

Marci

----- Original Message -----
From: "debby phillips" <semisweetdebby at gmail.com>
To: "NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List" <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, July 6, 2012 11:25:44 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] Colorado Center for the Blind

Oh Marci, thanks!  Gosh, I'm definitely ready to go.  I just sent 
an email to someone in WCB and basically told her that it's not 
all about skills.  I could take a Hadley course or two and 
probably get the skills.  It's the inside of me that needs to 
change, and I can't do it by myself.  I really blew off a lot of 
stuff when we were at the OTC together.  I thought that it was 
too radical.  That's not to say that I haven't made some good 
friends in both ACB and WCB, but does this sound weird?  I need 
more.  I guess I don't want to sit through wimpy classes about 
how we can "compensate" for our blindness by having good skills.  
Compensate hell!  I want people to accept me as a normal person 
who just happens to be blind.  But I have to accept myself that 
way too.  Am I crazy?  I can't seem to get some people to 
understand what I'm even talking about.  My husband for one.  He 
loves me, but he also loves being my "caregiver" in some ways.  
But I'm his wife, and sure spouses take care of each other, but 
it has to work both ways.  Sigh.  I have to say if the cost is 
more than DSB and I can't figuhe out some funding I'm going to be 
very disappointed.  But hey, maybe we could go have coffee once 
in a while if I'm in Seattle at the OTC?  Well, have a great 
weekend.    Peace,    Debby

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