[stylist] Transportation and help when needed

Sat Feb 1 20:27:04 UTC 2014

Peter,
Have you tried writing a letter to the editor of your newspapers outlining
the problem and your suggestions? Sometimes, the press can help when we
can't make much of an impact on our own.
Donna

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter Donahue
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 8:46 AM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Cc: braille at satx.rr.com
Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed

Good morning everyone,

    We've had the same issues here. In a city as large as San Antonio it's
inexcusable that there aren't organizations that operate pools of
individuals willing to assist blind and other disabled individuals with such
tasks as providing transportation particularly in to areas not served by
public transportation or serve as readers. We have snail mail here that's a
year and a half old. Some of the items may be checks which would come in
handy right now.

    I have family members living near by but asking them for assistance is a
kin to opening a nasty can of worms! My sister offered to take one of Mary's
watches in to have some links taken out of the band but wouldn't commit to a
time to return it to her. After an inflammatory conversation she angrily
drove in to town to return Mary's watch. We appreciate their willingness to
help when the spirit moves them but not the catfights that often go along
with it.

    Even in situations when we've offered to pay someone to take us
somewhere we've received 0 response. There are services we could apply for
but must do it in person. Getting transportation to these providers has
become a thorn in our side and we're really getting tired of it! Perhaps the
NFB through the Jernigan Institute and working with our local chapters could
establish a national network comprised of individuals willing to provide
services to area blind persons on a paid or a volunteer basis. We learned
that two agencies in Cincinnati Ohio offer such services to blind persons in
that community. There is an organization in San Antonio that reels in big
bucks but does not offer such a program. One wonders what they're doing with
all the money they rake in besides throwing parties for their members and
benefactors.

    Sorry I know this is a little off topic but it's a situation all too
common and one this organization should address. All the best.

Peter Donahue

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2014 9:40 PM
Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed

> Lynda,
>
> Firstly, my condolences to you and your husband; I hope he feels better,
> and you are able to get some answers.
>
> Unfortunately, in the city, you probably don't want to get in a car with
> a stranger. Omaha is a pretty big city, with about a million people
> living here, and saddly, we have a rather high crime rate, so I'm not
> comfortable getting into cars with strangers. Ross and I have had people
> randomly stop and offer rides, but we don't take them up on this offer.
> And I'm always surprised when women ask Ross because he's a big, tall,
> muscular guy; not someone I would offer a ride to if I were alone, grin.
> I've had people tell me they wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley,
> ha-ha! He's a big teddy bear, but he doesn't look it.
>
> They didn't let you ride in the ambulance? Usually one person can ride
> along. Nonetheless, that's nice you live in a community like that.
>
> My husband and I are both blind, and if we didn't have public
> transportation, I'm not sure what we would do. We do have family and
> friends around, but they are not frequently available to provide
> transportation. My parents and siblings all live here, but my son goes
> days and even weeks without seeing any of them. We've lived in our house
> for almost two years, and we've only met two neighbors, and they only
> speak to us when we initiate conversation. We've spoke with neighbors
> and try to be welcoming and cordial, but I don't know if it's the
> blindness or what, but no one in our neighborhood seems interested in
> getting to know us any better. And we are involved in the NFB here, but
> again, outside of Federation activities, most of our fellow
> Federationist are not people we see socially. And most our personal
> friends are not married and certainly don't have children. It's
> difficult to find a babysitter, even in advance, so we don't often get
> out unless we can bring our son.
>
> So my point being, we would be stuck in our house without public
> transit, grin.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynda
> Lambert
> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 1:07 PM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed
>
>
> Pennsylvania is a very rural state overall. There are no cabs anywhere
> here
> other than in the bigger cities, which are few and far between.  Most
> towns
> in PA are quite small and old - with no public transportation at all.
> Even
> getting the access fan can only take me to a very few places. Without a
> person to drive, most blind folks in PA would be sitting at home all
> day,
> every day.  This state is not only predominately rural, it is mountanous
>
> with long distances between the major cities.  Thank God for my
> wonderful
> husband who patiently takes me to where I need to be. I am so blessed.
>
> On that note, I have to say on Monday when we were having lunch Bob
> collapsed in the restaurant and was unconscious. He was taken by the
> anbulance to the hospital - and I am so very thankful I live in a very
> small
> community where we are known, and where people jump up and begin helping
> in
> an emergency.  When they put him into the ambulance, I was so frightened
> as
> I knew I had no way of even getting to the hospital.  I said to them "I
> am
> visually impaired, and I have no way of getting to the hospital."
> Immediately, a man stepped out from behind me and told me who he is - as
> it
> turns out he is a local pastor, who sees us every morning at the gym. He
>
> said, "Don't worry, Lynda," I am taking you to the hospital and I will
> stay
> with you until family can come."  He did just that - but, when things
> like
> this happen in our life, we become so acutely aware of how different our
>
> life would be without someone to help us.  Bob is recovering, and we do
> not
> yet know what happened to him. He has been at the hospital and drs.
> office
> three times this past week for tests. Things like this make me so
> thankful
> for living in a very small town that is so close to the residents and
> that
> step in quickly to assist each other in a crises.
>
> Lynda
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
> To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 1:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Here's my attempt at being tactile to
> thefolkswhowant
> everything for nothing
>
>
>> If the university is willing to pay, a cab is an option, and this way
>> no person has to take a day or afternoon to drive. Just throwing out
>> options. A bus may be another option, though a bus certainly isn't the
>
>> most convenient option.
>>
>> Bridgit
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lynda
>> Lambert
>> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 7:38 AM
>> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] Here's my attempt at being tactile to the
>> folkswhowant everything for nothing
>>
>>
>> Yes, this is very important. People just do not realize at all that it
>
>> takes something more than just getting in our car and leaving home so
>> that we can
>> be somewhere. Not only is it our time, it is someone else's time.
> When
>> I go
>> to the pottery studio to work, it is an hour long dive each way. Then,
> I
>> am
>> there 3-4 hours working. That is a six hour day for TWO people, plus
> all
>> the
>> expenses involved that April listed.  Not only is it very inconvenient
>> for
>> the person who is taking us places, it is expensive, too.  This is our
>> reality and one that a sighted person would never even think about for
> a
>>
>> second.
>> Lynda
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "April Brown" <aprilbrownshade at gmail.com>
>> To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 6:53 AM
>> Subject: Re: [stylist] Here's my attempt at being tactile to the folks
>> whowant everything for nothing
>>
>>
>>> Hi Donna,
>>>
>>>     I think it's great.  I'd emphasize one line though.
>>>
>>> "I have to get someone else to drive."  Emphasize that you have to
>>> pay them out of pocket for time, gas, and wear and tear on the car.
>>>
>>> Congrats!
>>>
>>> April Brown
>>>
>>> Writing dramatic adventure novels uncovering the myths we hide
>>> behind.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>> te
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>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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