[rehab] mobility as a Career

[Andrews, David B B (DEED)]

Dick made a small typo -- his work number is actually 612-872-0100.

Dave



-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dick Davis
Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 8:26 AM
To: 'Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List'
Cc: 'Al Spooner'
Subject: Re: [rehab] mobility as a Career

Tami,
No problem, call me when you are interested.  Work phone is 512-872-0100, and e-mail is ddavis at blindinc.org.  Why don't you send me your contact information offline, in case I need to get in contact with you.  Tell me the name of your state too, as we have worked with many of them.  
Dick 

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 5:57 PM
To: 'Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [rehab] mobility as a Career

Dick,

Oh!  That would be absolutely incredible!  I'm packing my bags right now!
/grin/

Yes, I definitely want to do that and will be grateful for any assistance you can provide to make that happen.  You may want to spiff up your superhero outfit, though, because our state director here -- and thus the majority of her staff -- is absolutely dedicated to keeping her blind consumers away from such hotbeds of heresy.  When you're the consumer, learning what is truth and what is a lie does not turn out to be as helpful as you originally expected.  Also, simply stating the truth can be physically as well as psychologically dangerous, I'm afraid.  I have a great deal of concern and even distress over the stories that keep passing my way about how someone can't wait to get through six months of physical therapy so they can get right out and use their white cane to walk around the sidewalk and maybe go to the store by themselves...  But that's another matter that I am baffled as to how to deal with beyond telling my own story there and hoping someone picks up on it before it's too late for them.  Ugh!

Anyway, back to me.  Yes, thank you...  Can I check back with you in a couple of months?  My partner is preparing for full retirement, and we're also contemplating a possible move to be nearer my father since my mother recently passed away, so our long-term planning is in a state of flux.  Once we have a few more matters nailed down so that we can settle on a timeline and financial plan and know what we'll be doing for sure, I can figure out a time frame for attending a Center with a better of idea of what my goals are in the context of whatever we decide...  

Your offer comes at a great time.  While we're planning the travel parts of our future, I keep tossing in the words, "That would be great if we could stop off in Colorado or Texas or ... We could stay there long enough  for me to go to an NFB Center, because I am going to get to one of those even if I have to pay for myself!"  I mean it, too.  I'm not sure he truly understands why, but he's the kinda guy who will consider it and work it in if it seems like it's important enough to me.

So, synchronicity!  Thank you! 

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dick Davis
Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 8:23 AM
To: 'Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [rehab] mobility as a Career

Hi Tami,
We have three NOMC certified instructors working at BLIND, Inc.  We'd love to have you come here.  If you want to do that, we will work with your state agency to bring it about.  We can get around any agency arguments.  I am a former state director so I know what is truth and what is a lie.  I am sure Colorado and Louisiana would help you too, if you wanted to go there.
Dick Davis 

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jane.Lansaw at dars.state.tx.us
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 7:11 AM
To: rehab at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [rehab] mobility as a Career

Hi Tami,
There are a lot of us out there.  Have you tried to get into an orientation center in another state such as the NFB centers?  

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2011 8:46 PM
To: 'Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [rehab] mobility as a Career

Aw, but what's the good in earning the right to say neener neener if you don't do it when you get a chance?  /grin/

I've been told that in this state blind people can't be O&M instructors because, well...  All you blind O&M instructors have probably heard it more than I have.  I don't want to go be one; I just never thought that made any sense whatsoever.  Many things our VR agency declare to be true as absolutes don't make sense and turn out to not be true at all, so I guess that's another one.  Sigh.

Would love to have a blind O&M instructor myself.  That's why I love all the NFB mailing lists.  If I need to know how to do something and can't figure it out myself, I can just ask someone who knows.  /evil grin/  I love to snark, too!

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jane.Lansaw at dars.state.tx.us
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 2:49 PM
To: rehab at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [rehab] mobility as a Career

Oops.  I got mixed up.  You would think I would remember because the director at FSU told me back in the eighties that no blind person would ever enroll in his program.  He's dead now and I am an O.&M. teacher.  Sorry for the snark, couldn't resist.  

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Leslie Fairall
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 4:10 PM
To: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List
Subject: Re: [rehab] mobility as a Career

<smile< FSU is in Tallahassee, Jane. The University of Florida is in Gainesville. They are HUGE RIVALS IN SPORTS, ESPECIALLY FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!