[stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field

Tue Feb 19 18:49:04 UTC 2013

Huh???? Not sure what that means at all, Donna.
I am a cancer survivor.

Lynda

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 1:30 PM
Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field

> Lynda,
> So, people who get cancer planned that to? Where does it end?
> Donna
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynda 
> Lambert
> Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 8:08 AM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field
>
> Ashley,
> This is all about writing - everything you believe and everything you 
> pursue
> influences your writing.  You are expressing your "world view" here, and
> your world view is how you will spend your life and your writing will
> reflect your world view. You have just clearly stated your personal world
> view right here - everything you do , or will never do in life, will be 
> from
> that "center" of your beliefs. Excellence and success as a writer  is a
> conscious choice. You never know what wonderful surprises are waiting for
> you, just around the bend, unless you begin walking down the road.  We
> become what we believe we will become, it is as simple as that.
> There are some very good examples of people who are high achievers and who
> overcome negativity every day, right here on this list. I have met some
> outstanding writers here.
>
> Lynda
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
> To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 10:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field
>
>
>> Hi,\
>> While I think the pep talk is great to pursue plan A of your dreams, 
>> might
>
>> I point out that reality is different.
>> I mean we all should strive for the best things or best career, but
>> reality is different.
>> That goes for everyone, disability or not.
>> Factors such as location, money, skill set, and knowing the right people
>> are determining your success at finding work.
>> The economy sucks now so I think people are lucky to be finding work 
>> after
>
>> college even if it's a low end job.
>>
>> If you wait for your dream job, it may never come. Also, your bottom end
>> job at say the reception desk may help you work toward another job. We 
>> all
>
>> need work experience; we all need to get our foot in the door. So, you
>> cannot always have your dream job at first.
>> Heck, you might even have to work part time or work for free, called
>> volunteering, to prove yourself.
>> Its tough finding work. Look at the news. They report that most college
>> students move home now because they cannot find work! They  have to live
>> with mommy and daddy because they do not! have income.
>>
>> So, some food for thought.
>> Most people don't get the job they want at the beginning unless they're
>> self employed. So, I thought I'd through in some realistic issues here.
>>
>> Now lets talk writing.
>> ashley
>> -----Original Message----- 
>> From: justin williams
>> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 1:36 PM
>> To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field
>>
>> You are cheating to your ability set.  You are cheating to your skill 
>> set.
>> If it lies elsewhere, such as being an environmental engineer, then by 
>> all
>> means pursue that dream.  There is no reason you can't accomplish it. 
>> But
>> you may have to go to, California new braska, Colorado, or Iowa for 
>> easier
>> access.  Of course, you could be a pioneer.  Who knows.  Maybe you can
>> make
>> something happen in a less aware state; it will just be harder.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna Hill
>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 1:11 PM
>> To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field
>>
>> Lynda,
>> You bring up one of those similarities I'm always talking about between
>> the
>> blindness movement and other civil rights movements. Years ago, the 
>> normal
>> perception of women did not include much in the way of  career-readiness.
>> Sure, women had to work in factories in WWII to support the war effort,
>> but
>> as for careers, you could teach or be a nurse; that was about it. The
>> underlying message was that when it came to what was best for women, men
>> knew best . Fortunately, we have come a long way, baby!
>>
>> The whole erasers on pencils thing has dredged up another memory. When I
>> was
>> in junior high, they made me take a test of my manual dexterity, which I
>> didn't think at the time was something that other kids got. . It involved
>> putting pegs into holes on a board -- literally the square peg in the
>> round
>> hole kind of thing. I was overpowered by the impression that, if I did
>> well
>> on this test, they would push me into manual labor of some sort. I didn't
>> know what I could do, but I knew I wasn't having fantasies about putting
>> pegs in holes, so I "threw" the test -- figuratively speaking.
>>
>> I had a hard time with setting goals, because on some level I believed
>> that
>> I couldn't do anything. I had secret dreams of what I'd like to do, but
>> there was a real disconnect between that and having a plan. The thing 
>> that
>> kept me going was the knowledge that, whatever anyone else said or how
>> true
>> it was, I didn't want those things to be true. That's really all I had.
>> Goals came later. My somewhat cynical version of the Plan A thing is that
>> if
>> you strive for Plan A, you might not make it, but you might make plan B.
>> If
>> you don't strive for plan A, you're not even going to make plan B.
>> Donna
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynda
>> Lambert
>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 12:47 PM
>> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field
>>
>> Donna,
>> You might have been putting erasers in pencils - OMG!
>> Can you envision yourself in such a place? Never!
>> You are living proof of seeking out a goal that is a passion and going 
>> for
>> it.
>>
>> When I graduated from high school, in the dark ages of course, I as told
>> by
>> the counselor that I had really good hand and eye coordination, so I
>> should
>> work our very well in a factory assembly line. Never mind that my IQ was
>> already beyond that of a college graduate - no, I should apply for a
>> laborer
>> job. OMG. I would have been fired very quickly from such a job as I would
>> have been there daydreaming and imagining and I would have either had a
>> bad
>> accident, or caused the entire place to be in shut down mode from
>> something
>> stupid I would have done.
>>
>> I could not do any kind of repetitive activity for even a day - probably
>> not
>> even for an hour, really.  I really had a good laugh at the thought of 
>> you
>> doing the erasers, but then, that isn't really funny when you follow it 
>> to
>> it's end, is it?
>>
>>
>> When my students would sit down with me and we would discuss their
>> schedule
>> and their plans for a major, I told them to never settle for anything
>> other
>> than what they have a passion for - because if they do, in mid-life they
>> will be longing for the thing they wanted in the first place - and so 
>> many
>> people at mid-life are so unhappy with the life they created for
>> themselves.
>>
>> Even if they are financially successful, the failure to pursue their 
>> dream
>> is still with them. I have seen this many times.
>>
>>
>> Lynda
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
>> To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 12:29 PM
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field
>>
>>
>>> Good advice.
>>> Donna
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynda
>>> Lambert
>>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 12:24 PM
>>> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness
>>> field
>>>
>>> I recommend the book, "Cockeyed" - which is available through library
>>> of congress for the reading machines we have - a teenager who was
>>> going blind, and became a professor of English - it is super funny -
>>> and yet so enlightening as to the high goals a person can achieve by
>>> never settling for Plan B.
>>> My advice, is, those who plan for Plan B, end up being there instead
>>> of at Plan A where they really wanted to be.
>>> I do not believe in settling for anything less than the absolute
>>> desire of your heart - Plan A is the only acceptable plan in my own
>>> life. I am an advid believer in being completely outside the comfort
>>> level for as long as it takes to achieve your goals. And, once you are
>>> "there" you continue to work your butt off without any excuses.
>>> Excellence is the only path worth following.
>>>
>>> Lynda
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "justin williams" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2013 10:52 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness
>>> field
>>>
>>>
>>>> New Braska is all kinds of awesome.  Some states are better than 
>>>> others.
>>>> Any field is open, but you may have to move to find it.  Aiwa is
>>>> another good state.  Leaving out the venders and customer service
>>>> reps, no disrespect to any of the people in those fields, human
>>>> service or computer programming fields followed by professors  and
>>>> lawyers seem to be where totals or braille users work.  This is by no
>>>> means cut and dry, and I am not including lo vision applicants,
>>>> because the better your sight, the more likely you will be to have a
>>>> job which is outside of that block of fiends that I just mentioned.
>>>> I've met braille users in just about every type of career field, but
>>>> keep in mind that a person who is blind does develop and emphasize a
>>>> slightly different skill set which naturally fits them better to
>>>> certain fields.  Going outside of those fields generally speaking,
>>>> will force the person to have to constantly perform at a higher level
>>>> of skill just to have a chance of success.  Of course, that is
>>>> possible.  But remember, I am making a basic statement.  Feel free to
>>>> enlighten me further.  Remember, I am saying this with the caveat
>>>> that anything is possible, and I have met Blind teachers, mechanics,
>>>> business owners who are not venders, cabinent makers, among others.
>>>> Not all of the teachers were teachers of the bisually impaired.  Some
>>>> taught in standard classroom formats.  I have heard of blind
>>>> electricians, met travel agents, there you go, travel agent is
>>>> another field for the blind, and even read the article on the blind
>>>> doctor. I think he is somewhere in canada.
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert
>>>> Leslie Newman
>>>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 9:14 AM
>>>> To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
>>>> Subject: [stylist] more on this subject of Working in blindness field
>>>>
>>>> Guys
>>>> Back when I started working for the commission for the Blind here in
>>>> Nebraska, back in the seventies, our federation had the mindset (this
>>>> is a
>>>> generalization) that if you as a blind person had one of those jobs,
>>>> then you were suspect, as in you had gone over to the other side,
>>>> that of the enemy! (This was the state of relations between the
>>>> progressive blind and the rehab services.) Boy, back then, in a NFB
>>>> chapter around here, you mostly weren't encouraged to try and become
>>>> an officer, because it was feared that you would be a spy for the
>>>> rehab side, and would be pushing their (the bad guys) agenda. But --- 
>>>> this all changed. Here in Nebraska and in New Mexico and maybe in
>>>> some other states, the NFB got the bad agency head folks fired and
>>>> had a hand in who and what changes had to occur --- and so the NFB
>>>> philosophy got the upper hand. And then, it became respectful for NFB
>>>> members to be part of the rehab scene. (Here in the Omaha chapter we
>>>> still have one older member, like in the 80's who doesn't like seeing
>>>> a rehab professional being in a leadership position.)
>>>>
>>>> Think of it, one of the larger and more active NFB Division's is the
>>>> Rehabilitation Professionals.
>>>>
>>>> #2 Taking a serious look at job opportunities for the blind in blind
>>>> related professions --- count up the number of rehab agencies and/or
>>>> other services around the country and add up how many blind folks are
>>>> working within them and I bet that number is not as great as you
>>>> think!!! Consider, that in general, the not so good agencies who have
>>>> low expectations are the ones that will more than likely hire only a
>>>> few token blind workers. And the better rehab services, which are the
>>>> minority in this nationwide group that we are looking at --- sure,
>>>> they may have more blind guys on staff.
>>>> (Nebraska at present has 1 blind related rehab service only. They
>>>> have a total staff at the commission that numbers around 55 and 17 are
>> blind.
>>>> All
>>>> other employed blind people work in a variety of other jobs; Nebraska
>>>> is one of the better states for employment of the blind and there are
>>>> a bunch of folks that are doing all kinds of jobs.) So watch that
>>>> thought of yours, that there are a big number of blind folks working
>>>> in blind related jobs --- for either reason of- A. That is where they
>>>> are accepted. Or B. That it is the job that the blind think of first
>>>> as to what they can do.
>>>>
>>>> (Just my rambling for this morning.)
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
>>>> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 7:08 AM
>>>> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
>>>> Subject: Re: [stylist] Working in blindness field
>>>>
>>>> Bridget,
>>>>
>>>> Could it be that more of the state board members and generally more
>>>> really active members of the NFB are working in the blindness field
>>>> because blindness is their passion?It makes sense to me that if
>>>> promoting opportunities for blind people was your life's mission that
>>>> you'd work in that field and be more active within an organization
>>>> that supported you.
>>>> I
>>>> do think all blind people have an interest in achieving true equality
>>>> for blind people. However I think for some it is their major life's
>>>> work, while for others of us it is something we do when we can around
>>>> our other main pursuits. So it makes sense to me that there would be
>>>> a large number of people within the NFB that do or want to work in
>>>> the blindness field.
>>>>
>>>> I've been blind for around 20 years now.  While I do know quite a few
>>>> blind people who work in the blindness field, I'd say I know a larger
>>>> number who don't.  Perhaps that's because I have never been very
>>>> involved in leadership within the NFB.  It does seem that those in
>>>> leadership positions do work in the blindness field much more
>>>> frequently.  Again that makes sense to me due to their strong
>>>> interest and commitment to the cause.
>>>>
>>>> Julie
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 2/17/2013 11:13 PM, Bridgit Pollpeter wrote:
>>>>> Ashley,
>>>>>
>>>>> Without actual stats, we can't really debate this, but that being
>>>>> said, I beg to differ, at least to a degree.
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't think anyone here is trying to make generalizations seeing
>>>>> as we all are blind, but we are all speaking from our experiences
>>>>> and personal observations.
>>>>>
>>>>> In the ten years I've been blind, which isn't long compared to some,
>>>>> I've met more blind people working in a blindness-related field or
>>>>> hoping to be employed in a blindness related field. For every
>>>>> lawyer, teacher and computer programmer I've met, I've met ten who
>>>>> worked in a job relating to blindness.
>>>>>
>>>>> There's nothing wrong with this, and most of us would agree that
>>>>> blind people need to be working in these fields, but I also think it
>>>>> can become a safety net for some; not all, but many.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've been to NFB conventions, and yes, there are people employed in
>>>>> various fields, and many scholarship winners plan to, or are,
>>>>> pursuing a myriad of career paths, but again, for every one of these
>>>>> people I've met, I've met a dozen working in the blindness field. Or
>>>>> many of these people end up in a blindness field despite their choice
>>>>> of
>> degree.
>>>>>
>>>>> And having heard several scholarship winners speak at conventions, a
>>>>> good number of them hope to work in some way in a blindness field or
>>>>> teaching the blind. Again, nothing wrong with this, and we do need
>>>>> blind people doing this, but, for me, it shows how many blind people
>>>>> go into a blindness related field.
>>>>>
>>>>> And in our affiliate, most of the leadership either works in the
>>>>> blindness field or hopes too. Of our eleven state board members,
>>>>> only two are employed outside of a blindness field, and one is
>>>>> working towards a degree so they can work in a blindness job.
>>>>>
>>>>> More and more blind people are seeking opportunities outside of a
>>>>> blindness related career, but many are still drawn to the field for
>>>>> whatever reason. Again, we need strong, competent blind people in
>>>>> this field, but we also need to consider what we truly want as a
>>>>> person and not a blind person.
>>>>>
>>>>> And a side note, I don't think Lynda meant anything negative by her
>>>>> comments nor was she implying all blind people work in a blindness
>>>>> related field. She was merely detailing her experience and speaking
>>>>> to that experience alone.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bridgit
>>>>>
>>>>> Message: 11
>>>>> Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 22:28:29 -0500
>>>>> From: "Ashley Bramlett"<bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>>>> To: "Writer's Division Mailing List"<stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [stylist] Sending this again: Article
>>>>> showingwhatparentsofblindkids are facing
>>>>> Message-ID:<D073072BEB3F4E1F938EB6B7A6FF190A at OwnerPC>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
>>>>> reply-type=response
>>>>>
>>>>> Lynda,
>>>>> I beg to differ. Have you been to a nfb convention?
>>>>> There are people employed in all walks of life and most scholarship
>>>>> winners have a career aspiration in a non blindness field; they
>>>>> include future teachers, therapists, researchers,  counselors, and
>>>>> doctors.
>>>>> Most blind people I know work either in the IT field as computer
>>>>> programmers or in the government, far from the blindness fields!
>>>>> Read the braille monitor and you will see the wide variety of fields
>> too!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Writers Division web site
>>>>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>>>>> stylist mailing list
>>>>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>> for
>>>> stylist:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.rr.
>>>>> com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----
>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 2012.0.2238 / Virus Database: 2639/5610 - Release Date:
>>>>> 02/17/13
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Writers Division web site
>>>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>>>> stylist mailing list
>>>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> stylist:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/newmanrl%40cox.n
>>>> et
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Writers Division web site
>>>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>>>> stylist mailing list
>>>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> stylist:
>>>>
>>>
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmai
>>>> l.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Writers Division web site
>>>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>>>> stylist mailing list
>>>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> stylist:
>>>>
>>>
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet
>>> .net
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Writers Division web site
>>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>>> stylist mailing list
>>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> stylist:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/penatwork%40epix.
>>> net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Writers Division web site
>>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>>> stylist mailing list
>>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> stylist:
>>>
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet
>> .net
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Writers Division web site
>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>> stylist mailing list
>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> stylist:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/penatwork%40epix.net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Writers Division web site
>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>> stylist mailing list
>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> stylist:
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%40gmai
>> l.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Writers Division web site
>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>> stylist mailing list
>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> stylist:
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink
> .net
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Writers Division web site
>> http://www.writers-division.net/
>> stylist mailing list
>> stylist at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> stylist:
>>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet
> .net
>>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/penatwork%40epix.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://www.writers-division.net/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> stylist:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/llambert%40zoominternet.net
> 