[stylist] Transportation and help when needed

Wed Jan 29 14:23:27 UTC 2014

Mic is in the NFB and is also hed of the transportation committee in the 
OAB, so every voice helps.
Here's to getting around!
Atty
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 12:03 AM
Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed


> Agree. It depends on where you live in Omaha. And our ever-expanding
> city never accomodates for the growth where transportation is concerned.
>
> Our NFB chapter has discussed sending members to represent us during the
> MAT meetings and other transportation meetings, but as you know, it can
> be difficult encouraging our chapter members to do anything outside
> attending chapter meetings. Although, often these committee meetings
> meet in unbusable locations or happen at times when buses aren't
> running, which always seems to defeat the purpose to me.
>
> Our Omaha chapter has a new member though, and he's already involved
> with Mode Shift, the transit advocacy group I've been speaking about. So
> hopefully he will continue to be a connection with them. I think
> educating the public about an issue often does more than showing up to
> meetings, though I believe every little bit helps.
>
> Des Moines was far worse with their transit than Omaha, and this
> includes the cabs. Ross and I were so happy to leave their because of
> the transportation. Omaha definitely needs to be better, especially the
> bus system though.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Atty Rose
> Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2014 7:48 AM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed
>
>
> We have a transportation committee that meets every week in the OAB.
> They also go to all the public meetings that MAT, our gbus system, has.
>
> Omaha isn't the stone ages but it is not the best ever, transportation
> wise.
>
> Snugs,
> Atty
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
> To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 10:33 PM
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed
>
>
>> What about a task force operating within the Federation specifically
>> dedicated to advocating for better public transit? In Omaha, we have a
>
>> similar organization, made up mostly of sighted people, who are
>> working to advocate for better public transit. With more options and
>> better time-tables, not to mention better routes, they are doing a lot
>
>> to bring awareness to the issue, which also includes pedestrian
>> traffic. Our Omaha NFB chapter has done a few things with them. As
>> blind people, we often want private transportation for free or nominal
>
>> fees, but public transit can be a great thing when you live in a city
>> that understands the importance of it. Omaha has a growing number of
>> transit users, but we are still nowhere near where it should be. But
>> if you are fortunate enough to live near a high-traffic area like Ross
>
>> and I do, taking the bus or calling a cab or even walking to some
>> locations isn't too bad. Being a blind couple, we've always chosen
>> places to live that are near a bus line. The organization here, called
>
>> Mode Shift, advocates for any public transit, which here includes
>> horse and carriage vehicles, pull cabs, bus and taxis along with
>> pedestrian traffic. A similar initiative could be adopted by the
>> Federation.
>>
>> Bridgit
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
>> Donahue
>> Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 7:46 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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