[humanser] volunteers

[Sandy]

Ericka,

You may help with the  phone discussions.  Yes, older folks are really 
frightened and come from a generation where the thoughts about disability 
were not as they are today.  My mom, born 1918, said people were some times 
hidden away.  My grandma, who died years back, felt uncomfortable in her 
nursing home because people would see me visiting and ask if she was related 
to me.  My aunt phoned my mom, explained this, and said I could not go to 
see her at the facility.  Sadly, when near death, I was not permitted to be 
there.

For many years I went to a support group here that is called Vision and 
headed by Mass. Association for the Blind.  I was not new to blindness, but 
found a place to share ideas and also maybe to learn.  We met, and group 
still meets, once a month for discussions and some speakers; it is not 
social.  Currently the woman running the group also runs another group that 
is oriented toward putting together food baskets, making blankets, etc.  Her 
idea is to do service, and the group is for blind adults.  This woman became 
blind from diabetes as an adult.  Anyway, probably MAB is a good resource as 
they used to have resource lists of publications and such of interest to 
group leaders and members.


Best,


Sandy

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Ericka Short" <ericka.short at wi.rr.com>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 12:57 PM
To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [humanser] volunteers

> Why  are people focusing  mostly on kids?  I know their lives are before 
> them and I'm not saying they aren't important.  It just seems like  the 
> NFB has felt they won't be interested or are to set intheir ways/beliefs 
> to be worth it.  That's hooey.  I'm glad you want to focus on them too. 
> They are more scared than  the younger generations to go blind.  People in 
> their 40's and younger are more used to seeing us as people because of all 
> the work the NFB has done.  The older ones don't have that image and we 
> need to help them too.
>
> If I lived closer to you I'd help out!  Seniors and newly blind are my 
> passion.  When I get some other things figured out here I'm going to 
> start a support group for those newly blind and their families.  There's 
> nothing for us here.  One small group of multiply disabled gather for 
> social time but not a real support group.  People haven't feel welcome and 
> it doesn't meet their needs.  My group would have speakers and not just 
> social activities like bingo.
>
> Ericka J. Short
> 262-697-0510
>
> "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13
>
> "No hand is too small or too big to do good in this world." EJ. Short
>
> _______________________________________________
> humanser mailing list
> humanser at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> humanser:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/sandraburgess%40msn.com
>