[stylist] Transportation and help when needed

Wed Jan 29 18:23:53 UTC 2014

Mickie Saltsmen.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 12:07 PM
Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed


> Mic? Not sure who that is. They must not be part of the NFB Omaha
> chapter. Are they members of the affiliate or a division?
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Atty Rose
> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 8:23 AM
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Transportation and help when needed
>
>
> 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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