[humanser] Greetings

Mon Dec 8 02:40:41 UTC 2014

Ashley,

You bring up some interesting points.

I actually would like to start a group for health care professionals
though.  I think that it is possible that those people are out there,
and maybe just don't know where to go or who to turn to for help
brainstorming their questions.  I think that something these divisions
do very well is provide a snapshot of how many Federationists at least
are involved in various aspects of life and/or careers.  Such a group
might give us a better idea of where and how many of these people are
in the medical fields, and what problems they are facing.

I know it is so challenging when I meet a student with a disability
who wants to go to school for music therapy.  They want to ask me what
they should do.  They want to know how to handle certain problems.
There is nothing established yet for these kinds of people to have a
link between active professionals and those who show interest in
entering these fields.  I always feel bad because in those situations
all I can do is provide one perspective, and my problems can't be
assumed to be the same as what someone else might face.  I've needed
to call in professionals to help me, but the generation gap between me
and them is huge.  These are problems I'd like to change, so while I
agree with you that some things we just can't do independently like
assess whether a patient's tonsils are swollen by looking down their
throat, I do see a need for at least a group in the NFB.

I'd love to stay posted on what becomes of this.  If there is a merger
between the Human Services and Health Care in the division then that
would be fine, but if not I'd like to see about setting up a group
provided that no one else has suggested a merger out of a desire to do
the same if a merger falls through.

On 12/7/14, Ashley Bramlett via humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Merry,
>
> Well, interesting and devisive question.
> I'm not a member, but I'll say something as if I join a helping profession,
>
> I am a potential member.
>
> I'd like the name to stay the same. If you do change it, I'd rather it stay
>
> for those in the human service fields such as social work, counselors and
> other types of therapists.
> It looks like half so far want it more inclusive and other half do not.
>
> I would argue against including medical professionals because  as others
> said, their needs are different and their models as well as licensing
> requirements are different.
>
> I think human service field has a lot to conquer without dipping into the
> med field and expanding.
> A division has to have some focus.
>
>
> Besides, is anyone aware of enough blind medical professionals? I sure am
> not. I know that field is visual due to the myriad of charts and visual
> indicators of patients; and, not to mention the number of visual displays we
>
> cannot see.
> I know federationists hate to hear this, but there really are jobs we cannot
>
> do. We cannot be surgeons or general doctors because we have to look at
> patients. For instance seeing a patient's ears or throat. That is visual
> with no alternate technique.
> Of course we can perform some medical jobs. I'd include psychiatrist,
> physical therapist, and maybe even some types of nurses.
> But many doctors have to visually examine patients for signs like color
> change, irritation, and pussiness.
>
> Those fields where you do not have to visually examine patients also are
> doable in my opinion. A blind person could be a nutritionist, dietition,
> personal trainer, and athletic trainer.
>
> But, really, I see no way for us to be doctors.
> I would not even want to go to a blind doctor.
>
> So, all that to say, I really doubt there is enough interest for a division
>
> or even a subdivision of the NFB. If there really enough positions in the
> med field for us to do, I'd like to see and hear more of them, and perhaps
> they'll start their own division someday.
>
> So I hope it stays a division focussed on helping people from the mental
> side of things.
>
> Ashley
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Merry Schoch via humanser
> Sent: Saturday, December 06, 2014 8:48 AM
> To: Human Services Mailing List
> Subject: [humanser] Greetings
>
> Greetings to All Listserv Members,
>
>
>
> Not sure if you notice a pattern, but the majority of messages from me are
> sent out on Sunday mornings as this is my most peaceful time of the week.
> My thoughts swirl around the Human Services Division and the tasks to do.
> Admittedly, there are many times I feel more than overwhelmed and wonder if
> our goals are obtainable.  Then the essence of who I am speaks loudly and
> reminds me this type of thinking will accomplish nothing.
>
>
>
> The Board of the Division will meet privately during the month of December.
> Unlike most meetings this will not be open for membership involvement, but
> I
> will present to our members and listserv the plans so you are informed.
> One of the topics at our meeting is a name change for the division.
>
>
>
> I would like to get immediate feedback from this list an our members
> regarding a name change for the division.  While I attended  the "Leaders
> and Ledgers" seminar at the Jernigan Institute, someone repeatedly referred
> to the division as the "Health and Human Services Division".  Since I have
> received quite a few inquiries from individuals who are seeking to go into
> the medical field and there is currently no division for medical
> professionals, I thought I would put the idea out to you all.  It brings
> more diversity to our division which we have a great deal of now; however,
> physical and mental health (in my opinion) are interconnected on many
> levels.
>
>
>
> Please respond to your thoughts on the name change.  It will mean a
> Constitutional  change and I am seeking input before we go further with the
> idea.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Merry C. Schoch
>
> NFB Human  Services Division
>
> President
>
>
>
> Merry C. Schoch, MSW ISW#6961
>
> Professional Social Worker/Counselor
>
> (813) 523-6573
>
> Merryschoch at verizon.net
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Kaiti