[nabs-l] Sociaolizing Part2

[Ashley Bramlett]

Gerardo,

Just like with Carrie's question, you need to decide based on the situation 
and balance independence with help.

1. If you cannot cut food and you have no other disability you should take 
time to learn.  Ask a friend to show you.  Is there someone you trust in 
your nfb chapter that can show you privately and not gossip?  I could not do 
this for years.  Finally a rehab teacher came to my home and one thing she 
showed me was cutting food.  Would it be possible to get a teacher from the 
department for the blind to help you do such tasks?  Also you may consider a 
center if your skills overall need improvement.
For now just ask someone to cut your food up that's next to you.
Did you go away to college?  I wonder how you managed without someone there 
to cut your food?

2. Regarding rides, yes do ask if you need it.  Your friends don't know your 
needs;
they may not automatically ask; in other cultures that might be more the 
case but not here.
Some close friends may offer you a ride though.  If you do ask for rides 
offer something in return such as a meal or paying for gas.
Also have alternative modes of transit so your friends don't always have to 
pick you up.  What is the public transit like?  Unfortunately in many areas 
of America it has a lot to be desired.  Is there a door to door service for 
people with disabilities?  Here its called metro access.
For short distances cabs are an option too.

I think getting help is alright but you need a way to do it more 
independently because the same people will not always be there to help you.
For now I get a lot of rides from family because I'm at home.  When I have a 
job I can afford to move out on my own.  But I also have the door to door 
paratransit service, metro access.

Ashley

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gerardo Corripio" <gera1027 at gmail.com>
To: "BlindStudents" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2010 11:35 AM
Subject: [nabs-l] Sociaolizing Part2


> Hi guys: More questions:
> 1.-I unfortunately don't know how to cut food or meat. is it fine to ask
> whoever is next to me to do the favor without letting them feel like I'm
> more burden then a regular person?
> 2.-Regarding rides and the like is it my initiative to ask for it or 
> should
> my friends offer them when they know I'm blind and don't have a car? For 
> now
> all but surely more in the days to come.
> Gerardo
>
>
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