[nfb-talk] Rehab center class question

[Michael Freholm]

Thank you for the responses.  Perhaps I need to be a little more 
specific about what I am looking for.  Our state rehab center has 
started a class called Blindness 101.  They are currently dealing with 
such subjects as "how to take your blood pressure" and the like.  I am 
trying to get them to make this more of a philosophy class similar to 
the seminars that Dr. Jernigan had and our NFB centers currently have.
Examples I have in mind right now include: Showing TV clips that have 
blind people in them and then discussing what we think of the portrayal 
of the blind person in them.  SNL's spoof of Gov. Patterson is a good 
example.  Another example is to give an scenario of sighted folks 
over-helping.  Maybe even acting out a scene where a sighted person 
thinks a blind person needs help across the street.  This is something 
we all have to deal with and we either deal with it in a healthy way or 
not and as we all know, the time to decide how we are going to deal with 
it is not when it happens.  It's before it happens.
Our state run center is not an NFB center but I'm hoping we can have a 
positrve influence on the teaching of a positive philosophy of 
blindness.    I'm trying to make a list of ideas to give to them of 
potential topics.  If anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it.  Those 
of you who have attended our training centers probably remember topics 
that were discussed while you were there.  Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Michael Freholm

On 10/14/2011 11:12 AM, Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E] wrote:
> Great message, David.  I forgot the part about mentoring!
>
> Terry Powers
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Evans [mailto:drevans at bellsouth.net]
> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 10:13 AM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Rehab center class question
>
>
> Dear Michel,
>
> I speak to newly Blinded people all of the time.
> One of the things I try to impress upon them is this.
> There are three things that every person facing a disability needs to have.
> They are: 1). they need to have or develop a good positive attitude about life and life in General, so that when Life gives them lemons, they know how to make lemonade and turn those negatives in to positives.
> 2). they need access to good rehab training, adaptive equipment and information that will help them cope and compensate for that disability and, 3). they need to know and have someone who has that disability, who knows more about that disability, and how to live with it, than they do as a mentor and role model.
> If they have these three things, they will likely be successful in spite of that disability.
>
> We all are always learning and teaching at the same time.  We can all learn from both the successes and failures of others and by applying those lessons in our own lives we can cope, compensate and live very successful lives as Blind People.
> The NFB is full of great role models and mentors.  The organization provides us with lots of support and educational information and opportunities to grow as Blind People.
>
> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]"<Terry.Powers at nih.gov>
> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'"<nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 8:45 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Rehab center class question
>
>
>> Someone who is newly blind, needs to be oriented to the long, white cane.
>> They need to learn how to get around and up and down curbs and stairs and
>> not have to grab onto walls.  They need to be exposed to braille and that
>> there is training, for them to learn.  Show them some of the simple
>> measuring devices and cooking tools.  Many have never seen a cane or ever
>> heard of braille.  You are there to help them to overcome their fears of
>> being blind.  Slowly expose them to new items.  You do not want to
>> overwelm them.
>> Just a few thoughts from a low partial, who has been blind since almost
>> birth.
>>
>> Terry Powers
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Michael Freholm [mailto:mfreholm at unbridledaccess.com]
>> Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 8:12 AM
>> To: Talk
>> Subject: [nfb-talk] Rehab center class question
>>
>> Friends,
>> I have been asked to help with some ideas for a class at our state rehab
>> center for the blind.  The class is called Blindness 101.  I have
>> encouraged them to emphasize acceptance of blindness, how to deal with
>> public misconceptions, etc.  From what I understand, this is similar to
>> the seminars at LCB.  If someone who works at one of our centers or has
>> attended one (or for that matter, it doesn't have to be one of our centers
>> but any training center that has a class like this and does it
>> well) can send me a course description and some ideas for the class I
>> would appreciate it.  They have been doing things like "how to take your
>> blood pressure and things like that but I am hoping they will take a
>> different approach.  Thanks for your help.
>> Best,
>> Michael Freholm
>>
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