Interviews to Empower Presents: Ricky Richmond

Welcome to this month’s edition of Interviews to Empower. If you have never met him, then prepare to be inspired. Allow me to introduce to you Ricky Richmond who’s motto is "You gotta except  it's all right to ask for help if you need it; even sighted people need help.”

Q: Ricky, thank you for allowing us to interview you today. Tell us a little about yourself and your eye condition.

A: I was born in 1971 with congenital glaucoma and had my left eye removed when it exploded when I was only 3 months old. I didn’t receive a prosthesis until I was 11.

Q: Wow, that’s a lot of time to wait. Can you tell us about how you got your prosthesis?

A: Well, I was attending the school for the blind in WV, and my orientation and mobility instructor, Dan Oates took me to Morgantown, WV to get it. I am very grateful to Mr. Oates for the effort he made in finding the financial support for this procedure and insuring I get my eye which I still have today.

Q: So, you went to WVSB?

A: Yes. When I was 6, my family and I were eating at a restaurant when a lady with a son who was deaf approached us  and told us about the school for the deaf and blind. Later, my mom called and talked to the folks at the school, and they sent a representative out to talk to us. His name was Mr. Boner. My parents were nervous and scared at first, but my 14 years at the school was a good education.

Q: What was it like at the school for the blind?

A: Well, I participated in sports, like swimming, wrestling and track. I was in the show choir, which was called Pizazz. I also played saxophone in the marching band. I got to travel around the state and even go out of state for competitions. Once, the marching band went to Hagerstown, MD to perform in a parade, and another time we went to the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, VA. Another cool thing we got to do was participate in the skiing program. We got to go to Canaan Valley for 3 days to ski. I took Radio at the school, too and piano tuning.

Q: Did you ever go to public school?

A: No. But, I did take a psychology class at Hampshire High during my senior year.

Q: Speaking of your senior year, did you take a senior trip?

A: Yes. We went to Nags Head, NC, where I was first introduced to the beach.

Q: Earlier, you mentioned piano tuning. Can we talk about that?

A: Yes. I took piano tuning from 1986 to 1991 at WVSB. Francis Chillcoat was the instructor. After graduating in 1991, I went to the Piano Hospital and Training Center in Washington State. I lived on the third floor of the administration building at the Washington Schools for the Deaf and Blind. To pay for my room and board, I volunteered my time to help with the children at the school from 6 to 9 every evening. During my training, I learned to tune and repair pianos, though tuning is my strong suit. On Saturdays I traveled to schools and colleges where I tuned 1 to 2 pianos per week. I graduated in 1993 and was offered a position in Alabama, but they didn’t offer enough money, so I came back home to WV. In 1994 a music teacher approached me and helped me get my tuning business started. The blind man who used to cover that area had recently retired, so I accepted the Lewisburg/Alderson area, gratefully.

Q: And, you are still tuning pianos today?

A: Yes, I’m still tuning pianos. I do some minor repairs, as well, but major repairs require someone to bring heavy piano pieces to my house which this, as well as other costs would be too much of a financial burden for my clients. If I cannot repair the piano at the clients home, I usually suggest they just purchase another one, as used pianos can often be less expensive than the cost of restoration.

Q: Is transportation a difficulty for you?

A: No. My clients are real good to give me rides to job sites. I hire drivers, too. I work in homes, businesses and churches. Business has declined somewhat, especially after the devastating floods that hit WV in 2016, but I have had several busy years, and I’m hoping my business will rise again once people in the area have rebuilt their lives; I feel confident this is a possibility.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Spend it with my family and friends. I have 2 older brothers and a younger sister. My mom and stepdad live in Virginia, but they come to visit often. Recently, a friend of mine suffered a stroke. I have learned from him what it’s like not being able to walk, and he has learned from me what it’s like being blind. We help each other. He helps me with things I can’t see, such as drilling wholes in my treadmill and driving me places. I help him by lifting things like bags of dog food into the shopping cart.

Q: You aren’t afraid to ask for help, then?

A: No, I’m not. Even sighted people need help, and you just gotta  accept, it’s all right to ask for help when you need it. You have to look at the situation and decide what needs to be done. For instance, I had to have a stove pipe replaced, recently in my wood stove. I had to ask for help from my brothers to get it installed.

Q: We could all take lessons from you in this area. Is there anything else you would like to add?

A: Yes. I just want to say that I have been a member of the At-Large chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of WV since 1994 and have been the treasurer of this chapter since 1998.

Thank you so much Ricky for allowing us to interview you for the blog. It has been a pleasure. And, thank you, faithful readers for being here with us. We hope you have enjoyed this months edition of Interviews to Empower, and we hope you are having an amazing holiday season. Be sure and come back on the 2nd Thursday of December, and the 4th Thursday for another interview to inspire you.

Blessings. 

An Update from Anita

Hello, and welcome to the blog. Anita here this time.

First, let me say that it is my fault we are late at delivering this month's blog. I turned 40 recently, and that means I'm getting old and forgetful, :) and so I left the thumb drive at work. I save the blog post on the thumb drive so I can then insert it into my iPhone and attach the post to an email I sent to S.J. So, my apologies. And, thank you, S.J., for telling me about flashdrives for iPhones. It makes it easier for me to transfer files to and from my iPhone and other devices.

I have been very busy since I last wrote to you here on the blog. For one thing, I attended the annual conference at the American Printing House for the Blind, or APH. While there, I was able to do a lot of networking with other people in the teaching field and with other blind people from all around the world. At the World Blind Union meeting, I happened to sit beside Mark Maurer, former president of the National Federation of the Blind, NFB, and Mark Riccobono, current president of the NFB. Networking is an awesome thing because this gave me an opportunity to speak to these gentlemen on a personal basis, and it was not at a convention. They meet many people, and so I am sure it is hard for them to remember all of the people they meet. But now, I have a stronger voice should I need one pertaining to any assistance I may need from them. Several members of the American Council of the Blind, ACB, were also present at this meeting. Lou Tutt, a member of from AER, was also present. While you are hearing me mention several educational organizations, remember I am a teacher. In your profession, whatever it may be, it is a good idea to attend conferences for networking purposes. This is how you gain a deeper knowledge in your field and a body of support that can prove invaluable in your personal and professional life.

While at the APH convention, I was also privileged to tour the printing house. I was surprised at all I didn't know about what they did, though I should have known it. I worked as a seamstress at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, or BISM, several years ago. APH was similar, though the type of production was different. We discovered how braille and large print books and magazines went through stages of processing before being printed. They used several embossers and printing machines, some of them enormous. We also stopped by the booth where an audiobook for the National Library Service, NLS was in the process of being recorded. To me, this was special because I listen to these books and I recognized the name of the narrator, Jack Fox. Also, I learned that the reader gets paid by how quickly they can accurately record the book rather than by how long it takes to complete the recording. At another place in this plant, we were in a huge room with worktables all around. Silent workers were working to assemble kits, for example, APH has a Jump Rope To Fitness Kit. Each item in the kit has a specific item number, and these specific bins with these numbered items were in another area just beyond this work area. I was also able to tour the APH museum.

While on this tour, I continued to meet people in my field, some blind like myself, but many with vision. While not attending meetings where I was exploring APH products and providing input on products and services, I spent my moments of spare time enjoying Louisville. I enjoyed a nighttime horse and carriage ride through the city streets and dining at The Old Spaghetti Factory. I also did a bit of shopping at the gift shop, where I purchased a horse. No, it wasn't real.

To move on to other things I've been doing since I last wrote to you, I was a foster Mom for about a month or longer. Due to needs of the child, I requested a different placement for the child, but I learned a lot. I also discovered that I live in a supportive community. This world is better than we think it is, if we choose to take the time to dwell on its good. Many friends and acquaintances stepped in to assist me. I had to make unexpected trips to the doctor's office to pick up prescriptions that could not be faxed to the local pharmacy. I had to go to Morgantown  for appointments. I had to have assistance each medicine time because, regardless of my level of vision, this job required two people, the key reason I requested another placement for the child. One day, I had to rely on a driver and friend to drive around between pharmacies and wait while prescriptions were being filled. Also, I had to make a number of phone calls pertaining to the child. Taking care of the child  at home was the easy part, though before I accepted the child, I figured this would be the hard part. Thank you to all who helped me during this time. It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of work. When the right child comes along, I look forward to being so busy again, but I am thankful for my "me" or "Mommy" time in the meanwhile. :)

And, of course, I've been very busy at work. Our first nine weeks just ended, and I think it is the busiest nine weeks I've experienced in my five years at the West Virginia School for the Blind. But it has been fun and rewarding. The children have been busy learning my braille songs and working to build braille contraction knowledge. And, I've been busy planning their work and taking on extra responsibilities this year.

That is a brief snapshot of how I have been filling my days. Currently, I'm sitting on my couch, wondering if my Mom's birthday present is tucked out there in my mailbox. One of my cats, Tiger Lee is lying on the chair arm beside me, and I just heard my Mom get out of bed and wheel herself into my downstairs bathroom. She is spending the weekend out of the nursing home. I am having her a surprise birthday party tomorrow. Sue Smith, who used to be my night houseparent when I was a student at WVSB, owns a bakery. I called upon her to make my Mom a Mario birthday cake as she will only be turning 69 on November 15, which is this coming Wednesday. A breakfast walk to pick up food from the Romney Diner is calling and my cousin, Ruth Ann, who helped me tremendously with my foster daughter is hoping I'm awake to be ready when she gets here after while to take me grocery shopping. So bye until next post.

And, please remember to say "Thank you!" to all the Veterans you meet for what they've done for our country. Also, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, since it falls on the fourth Thursday of the month, our edition of Interviews to Empower will be posted the following Thursday, Nov. 30. We hope you will join us then. Thank you for being with us today, and we’re praying you have a fantastic weekend.

Blessings.

Interviews to Empower Presents Kerri Kosten

Welcome to Interviews to Empower! We’re so glad you came to be with us this week. Our interviewee this time is an inspiring individual who is totally blind, partially deaf and yet does not allow her fears and anxieties to dictate her day-to-day life. Come and meet Kerri Kosten, a sports writer who is blind.

Q: What caused your blindness?

A: I was born prematurely, so I have Retinopathy Of Prematurity.

Q: What about your partial deafness?

A: When I was very young, I became ill. My parents thought and were told it was the flu. However, it was Meningitis, and the high fever that I had left me partially deaf. I only have hearing in my left ear.

Q: I imagine that makes travel difficult, as people who are blind rely on their hearing a great deal. Can you tell us about that?

A: Yes. When I was at the Louisiana Center for the Blind, I was taught to mental map. Basically, I learn directions before I go and remember them so I can map my way back home. This was not taught to me until I received O&M at LCB. Also, I learned to call ahead to ask for bus fare, directions, availability of cabs and such. It is much safer to travel using transportation such as buses, cabs and even Uber, rather than walking, as I do not have to cross as many streets. Another thing to keep in mind is to ask for assistance often.

Q: Speaking of cane travel, when did you learn blindness skills?

A: I learned braille when I was four years old. Today, I can read about 200 words per minute. I didn’t learn good cane skills until I went to LCB.

Q: Did you go to a school for the blind or public school?

A: Both. I attended public school until fifth grade, then went to the WV School for the Blind for a few years. I actually graduated from University High in Morgantown, WV. As a younger student, I liked going to the blind school in Romney, WV. However, when I got older, the city girl in me missed the city. LOL

Q: So, what got you into the world of sports writing?

A: When I was fifteen, I listened to a basketball game on the radio. It was my first game, and I found I loved the energy of the game and announcers. After that, my passion for It grew. I was like a kid in a candy store, and I knew I wanted to do something in sports; I just didn’t know what. As far as writing, I didn’t like it, at first. However, I knew that as a blind person, writing about sports was something I needed to concentrate on. So, I majored in journalism at WVU. Then, I wrote for 1440 WAJR on their website. It was a volunteer position, but it taught me so much. I really enjoy putting stuff about sports into words, and I like that a person can do this job whether they can see or not.

Q: Are you still writing for WAJR?

A: No. Today, I write for The Dominion Post here in Morgantown. I research athletes who do not choose to go to WVU, then interview them. I really enjoy this job. It has helped me to get out of my comfort zone. At first, I was very nervous about talking to people I didn’t know. But, now I am more confident and comfortable when interviewing people. I feel that because of this job, I am more mature and patient. I wish all people who are blind could get this opportunity.

Q: You mentioned going to the Louisiana Center for the Blind. What types of classes did you take there?

A: Wow, I did so much, I could go on talking forever. :) It is a nine month program, so I was there from April of 2012 to January of 2013. I took cane travel, shop, computers, cooking, home maintenance, home management and braille.

Q: Wow, talk about a busy schedule. First, because we don’t often hear of blind people taking shop, tell me some of the things you learned in that class.

A: I learned how to use a lot of different tools including a drill press and a ban saw. My final project in that class was to make a set of braille blocks.

Q: How about home management and home maintenance?

A: In home maintenance we were taught things like how to clean, how to take off a door knob and put it back on, how to use a screw driver, how to turn a breaker box on and off, how to shut the water off at the valve of the toilet, how to unplug a toilet, and how to find something that may have fallen down a sink drain.

In home management we were taught how to cook. We made brownies from scratch, homemade pasta, fried chicken in a fry daddy, stir fry in a wok, homemade bread, hand cranked our ice cream, made waffles in a waffle iron…just everything. LOL At the end of the program, I had to make a meal for eight and another meal for forty. I had to write invitations on a slate and stylus, give out invitations, shop for food, cook food and serve the food like a waitress would. My meal for eight was chicken baked in the oven with Italian dressing, peas, green beans, baked potato and salad. For dessert I made a dump cake. My meal for forty was pasta with garlic and herb sauce.

Q: Let’s talk about cane travel and some of the trips you took.

A: Well, we certainly got out and about. We went to a Louisiana Tech game. Then, a friend and I went to Oklahoma to watch the Sooners against the Baylor Bears. We had to plan our trip and figure out bus fare and everything. It was an amazing trip, and both my friend and I are blind. No one sighted went with us. Other activities at LCB were rock climbing, horseback riding, zip lining, trips to the movies, the peach festival and shopping. My last trip was a solo trip from Ruston to Monroe. I went shopping at the mall in Monroe.

Q: What advice would you give to someone new to sight loss?

A: Never give up. Blindness is not the end of the world. Get good blindness training. You can still do all the things you used to, just in a different way.

Q: What would you say to a student who is blind who is just graduating high school?

A: Try to meet as many people as you can. Learn to network. Don’t give up. Get involved with those things you are interested in. Don’t allow anyone to tell you “you can’t”.

Q: Is there someone you look up to?

A: Yes. My O&M instructor at LCB. His name was Roland Allen, and he paved the way for blind O&M instructors. He believed I could do anything, and therefore, I believe I can do anything.

Kerri, thank you so much for allowing us to interview you. Just talking with you inspires me.

To read Kerri’s pieces, you can find them in The Dominion Post www.dominionpost.com

Thank you, faithful readers for being with us today. We apologize that this post is late. But, we will be back on Nov. 9 with more inspiration, so come back and be with us. Want to see us on Facebook? We can be found at facebook.com/adkinsandwells.

Blessings.

The Long White Cane

Just about every sighted person has seen one, either on the streets of their hometown, while traveling in a big city or on television. Most folks know without being told that it is a cane used by people who are blind or visually impaired. Some speculate that it will grow out of use before too long, taken over by guide dogs or guide ponies. Some people who are blind think that by using a long white cane they are presenting themselves as disabled. Others embrace it as the tool it is and are even proud of it. But, where did it come from? Why do blind people use it? Why is it still as effective as it was nearly a century ago? Hi, there. S.J. Wells here with you today, and since White Cane Safety, AKA White Cane Awareness Day is October 15, I thought I’d share some of the interesting facts about the long white cane with you, our faithful readers.

History tells us that blind people used all kinds of sticks, shepherd’s staffs and canes to detect objects in front of them. However, the mobility cane we know today didn’t come about until around the time of World War I. A man named James Biggs from Bristol was said to have created a version of the long white cane in 1921 after an accident took his sight. Feeling threatened by a growing population of motorists, he painted his walking stick white so it would be more visible to drivers. Ten years later in February, 1931, Guilly D’Herbemont launched a scheme for a national white stick movement for blind people in France. It wasn’t long until the folks in England got wind of it, and soon they were launching a campaign that basically said persons who carried long white canes would be recognized as having visual impairments.

Meanwhile, in North America, a member of the Lion’s Club saw a blind man walking across the street using a black cane. The Lion’s Club member painted the man’s walking stick white in order to make him more visible. In 1931, the Lion’s Club International began a national program, promoting the use of white canes for persons who are blind. During that time, most folks who used a cane, held it in a fixed, diagonal position in front of them, and it worked primarily to alert sighted folks that he or she was blind. However, when blinded veterans returned from World War II, things changed for the better, as these men were not content to stay home and be cared for. They wanted to rejoin the work force and began using their canes to get around, rather than just carrying them.

In 1964, a joint resolution of the Congress HR 753, was signed into law authorizing the President of the United States  of America to proclaim October 15 of every year to be White Cane Safety Day. President Lyndon B. Johnson was the first to proclaim the October 15 as White Cane Safety Day. No longer was the long white cane just a symbol of a person who is blind but a tool to assist them to live as independently as they so wished.

Once made of wood, canes are now made of several materials ranging from aluminum, graphite, fiberglass and sometimes a mix in between. Whether they are rigid or folding, folks now can order them in other colors rather than white. Some patterns of color symbolize a difference between blind and blindness with a hearing impairment. Whatever the material, whatever the color, the cane does not define the one using it. Rather, the person defines the cane. As a chef uses his/her favorite knives to slice and dice, just as a car mechanic prefers the tools in his/her own tool box to get the job done, just as a minister uses his/her favorite version of the Bible and reference books to get the message out to the congregation, so a person who is blind uses his/her cane to navigate the world around them.

If you or someone you know needs a white cane, the National Federation of the Blind has a form on their website that you can fill out and get one for free. Just go to nfb.org,  and you’ll find it. If you want more information than I’ve provided here about the long white cane, be assured that Google is speech friendly, so go on your own internet search. If you’re not sure on how to use your cane, the NFB also has articles explaining how. Don’t be afraid to try new things or to ask for help. People who are blind and familiar with the cane will be more than happy to share their knowledge.

So, this coming Sunday, October 15, remember the long white cane, and use yours to show the world that, like those veterans returning home from war without their sight, you aren’t going to sit back and let others do for you anymore; you’re a force to be reckoned with.

Thank you for being with us today. We hope you’ll come back on October 26, as we have an interview to inspire your socks off. Ever heard of a blind woman who writes about sports? Well, you have now. Mark your calendars and be sure to come back in two weeks. Also, don’t forget, we’re on Facebook at facebook.com/adkinsandwells/

God bless.

Interviews to Empower Presents Robin Ayers

Hello and welcome to another edition of Interviews to Empower. We’re so glad you are with us today. This month’s interviewee worked at the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind for thirty years. Her advice is applicable whether you have a disability or not, and her experiences will give you a smile and encourage you to keep going. Come with us as we introduce to you, Mrs. Robin Ayers.

Q: What made you decide to work with students who are blind or visually impaired?

A: A position came open, and I was the only one on campus who could fill it. I was asked/talked into taking it.

Q: Some folks give strange looks when we say “Home EC”. Did they call it that when you were the teacher?

A: By the time I took the position in 2000, the name had changed to Family and Consumer Sciences.

Q: What changes did you notice over the years in what types of things you taught?

A: The basics of clothing construction and meal prep became less the focus as more emphasis was placed on nutrition, family management, and careers. Essentially, the focus seemed to shift from teaching mostly in-home tasks to including more outside the home needs. 

Q: What were some of the challenges of teaching children who could not see like you?

A: 1. Remembering to walk in each student's shoes to determine his/her needs and how to teach them

2. Placing enough labels in Braille around the classroom

3. Giving directions more accurately. For example, telling someone that something is to "the right of the doorway" rather than "over there" 

Q: What were some high points during your time at the school for the blind?

A: Omigoodness. Senior dinners prepared by the kids for their selected guests, Preparation for the Superintendent's Tea/Open House, which started in November, successful meals prepared and served by ProStart students, a totally blind student learning to use a paring knife safely, another student trying to bake his pizza upside down on the oven rack, construction of individual pillows sewn by hand, production of nutritious goodies to stock the school store

Q: What advice would you give to new teachers of the visually impaired just coming out of college?

A: Get to know your students well. Craft your lessons meet their individual needs as much as possible. Focus on what the CAN do rather than what they CANT do, and focus on those strengths.

Q: What advice would you give to parents or caregivers of children who are blind concerning home economics or daily living skills?

A: They should be expected to take care of their own needs just like any other kid. Just adapt the environment so it makes that possible. This old thing of "if she just sits in the chair all day and behaves herself is all that's expected" is bullhockey! Parents doing everything for the child just doesn't cut it. Those parents will not likely be around forever and that child, who is then an adult, better be able to fend for himself! One of my biggest fears was that some situation would occur where the parents couldn't get to the kid, like a flood or snowstorm, and the child would just sit there and starve to death!

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to students today?

A: Learn to do as much as possible for yourself. People aren't always going to be around to help you. 

Robin, thank you so much for allowing us to interview you. We truly enjoyed reading your answers. And, thank you, faithful readers for being with us today. Remember, we’re still on Facebook, so come over to facebook.com/adkinsandwells/ and join the discussion.

Note: Beginning today, Sept. 28, 2017, we will no longer be posting once a week. Instead, we will be posting entries on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month. If you have a question you would like us to address, contact us via the blog or send an email to adkinsandwells@gmail.com and put “question” in the subject line. If you know of an individual that you would like us to interview, someone who will encourage those of us who are blind or visually impaired, let us know. As always, be encouraged to try new things and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Have a fantastic weekend, and we’ll see you back here on Oct. 12.

Blessings.

Be an Overcomer

Hello. Anita here, and this week we’re going to talk about challenges and overcoming them.

Recently, I have become a new foster mom. It has been a challenging and rewarding experience. I have learned that being a mom involves way more than just watching the child. I have already made so many phone calls and accompanied the child to an appointment. Due to confidentiality, I will not share with you any details about the child in this blog. But, I do want to tell you about the key challenges and how I have overcome them as a blind person.

One challenge is dealing with the misconceptions about the capabilities of the blind. And, I will not share a lot about that on this blog for privacy reasons. But I will say that the social worker and my home finder have done an excellent job at holding high expectations for the blind. They have entrusted me to care for a very special child. They are not the ones who have presented this challenge. However, as a caregiver, I need and want to know their concerns. I told the social worker to feel free to ask me any questions. I am an educator, and I do want what is best for the child. One of their concerns was that the child tends to be active and run a lot. When the social worker expressed this to me, I explained that I had locks on my doors that can only be opened with a key. This assured her the child would be safe with me. I also talked with her about other ways I will keep the child safe, including using a bear that she wears like a backpack. It has a leash, which I put on my wrist. At church and other places out of my house, it will keep her from running away from me.

What they did not tell me was that the child takes a great deal of medication, and more importantly, that it requires two people to ensure she takes the medicine—one to administer it and the other to hold her hands so she does not grab the syringe or push away the person trying to give her the medicine. If they had told me this before I accepted her, I would have told them to find another placement for her because I live alone. Fortunately, my pastor, his fiancee, and my cousins are assisting me with this. The social worker is exploring other options, as well.

Even though this challenge is not related to blindness, I wanted to share it with you because it is important that, as blind people, we know our strengths and weaknesses. We need to know when to take on a challenge and when to say no. Really, this is the case, regardless of vision. Knowing who we are and our talents and strengths will enable us to be productive and will also enable us and others to stay safe. If we lack confidence or feel we are incapable, we should consult others in the blindness community for their input on how we can do a task we really want to do. It is probably possible, but blindness training may be necessary before we can accomplish it. Our other option is to teach ourselves, which I love to do. But, be sure safety factors are considered and adhered to before self-discovery occurs.

To give an example, my brother and I taught ourselves many years ago how to walk to a nearby college. One of us would wait at a point while the other walked further and explored. If someone were injured, the other person would be able to call for help. Also, this helped us to always find our way back to the apartment we lived in at the time. Experimenting with techniques and tricks we think of is a great way to conquer new skills. But, accepting our limitations is also important. Considering other factors that require a "no" answer to performing an activity is important, too. Here are some questions to help you determine if you should try an activity and conquer barriers related to your blindness.

1. Why do I want to do this activity? If the answer is to help others, because I would enjoy it,  or because it is necessary, then you should probably figure out a way to do it. If the answer is pride, you may still be able to conquer the challenge, but be careful. Pride alone should not impact your decision.

2. Do I have the skills to accomplish this goal? If not, then conduct some research to learn how and where you can get the necessary training. It might be a blindness training center, like the one at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland or the Louisiana Center for the Blind. Or, it might be a week-long visit to a blindness rehabilitation training center in your state. Or, maybe it is an online tutorial or a friend or family member that can give you some pointers and walk you through the steps of a given task. Most important, be informed and weigh your options so you can select the best one.

3. Finally, is fear keeping you from conquering the challenge? If so, then you will need to build confidence. Confidence is built in small steps. A training center can help with this, but, consistently doing things for yourself will be the most beneficial.

You might also think about how to start an activity. For example, before using the table saw, I asked my instructor to turn it off and unplug it. This way, I knew I could explore it without it turning on. After that, I felt more comfortable in using it because I had a mental picture  of what it looked like. Learning other prevention steps and safety techniques is also important. For example, I lacked confidence in frying foods. For safety, I asked a friend and some family members to be with me in the kitchen and to show me how much grease to pour in when frying potatoes. I received a little experience and built confidence with this in a training center, as well  and then more after practicing at home. I also found online safety tips.

So, what challenges are you facing? What are you going to do to overcome the ones that matter to you? Yes, with determination and the right tools and techniques, you can do it!!! Have fun trying!

Have any examples to share about overcoming challenges? Drop us a comment below. We’d love to hear your story.

Beginning in October, this blog will be changing to a twice a month blog, rather than once a week. With school starting back and with both of us busy with new projects this year, we want to concentrate our efforts on bringing you informative posts that will help and encourage. We feel the best way to do this is to post only twice a month. Until then, though, we’ll be right here, posting every Thursday.

And, speaking of every Thursday, be sure and come back next week for another edition of Interviews to Empower. We have an interview all ready for you. Until then, have a fantabulous weekend, and hop on over to facebook.com/adkinsandwells/ and “like” our page.

Blessings.

After the Convention and Some Other Stuff

Hello and welcome to the blog. Anita here with you this week, talking about independence, the WV NFB convention, some technology and anything else that pops out of my head. LOL Read on; we’re going to have fun.

I’m tired. But that's a good thing, because it helped me realize, taking a toddler bed to my basement by myself might not be a wise decision. Fortunately, I know when to forge on with endless determination and when to wait for someone to help me. I haven't always known that, and even now, I will still unwisely do things I really shouldn't. For example, while waiting at High Street, I take a chance and cross before I confirm a standstill has occurred. I'm not intentionally walking out in front of a moving vehicle, but at the same time, I'm taking a risk. I know when it is and isn't safe to cross a street, but when I'm in a hurry, the Lord continues to protect me, for which I'm thankful. But what I'm trying to say to you is that many times it is when we get in a hurry or tired of waiting for someone else that we tend to make errors. Still, my motto is: I am glad to accept assistance with this activity, but since no one is offering or available, I will conquer it on my own. I hate waiting on other people to do things for me, and I try not to rely on others for activities I can safely do on my own, if I can avoid it. I do ask for help when I need it and accept assistance on occasion in order to respect someone who is only trying to be kind. I will also accept it to open a door that will allow me to develop a relationship that will give me the opportunity to teach a lesson on blindness.

That might sound radical, but I just did return from the West Virginia State National Federation of the Blind convention after all. :) My favorite parts of the convention were seeing my friend, Shannon, meeting Peggy Hoy who is editing and assisting with putting “Ducking into UEB” on Create Space, and exploring the technology exhibits. I also enjoyed the reception and saying hello to acquaintances and friends.

I enjoy learning new skills, and I especially love playing with new technology. The newest version of the BrailleNote was on display, and I was given the chance to sit and play with it for a while. Because I heard it was an Android-based device, I arrived with the notion I didn't want it personally or professionally. But I have an open mind, which is a great thing. It feels like a BrailleNote Apex, but the keyboard lifts up to reveal a touch screen, which provides a visual display for instructors, and a fabulous touch keyboard for its blind users, like me. Surprisingly, this keyboard is quite accurate and I could braille fast with it. Don't worry; it still contains physical keys for those of us who still prefer that method, but the touch keyboard is quieter, and thus, means the romance  novel you are writing during a boring history class is less likely to disturb the other students. :) That reminds me of my Kutztown University teacher from many years ago saying, "Geography lives, amen." I don't remember his name, but I did think he was friendly. While he lectured, I wrote a story about two guys in Southern WV who were trying to solve a crime. He never noticed, or he never said so if he did. But I received a d in the class, and not a dime for that never-published story. To get back on topic, I loved the BrailleNote Touch, and I plan to share information about it with the school where I teach.

The goal of blindness organizations is to advocate for and conduct legislative work to benefit its members and also nonmembers who are blind. My least favorite part of the NFB convention was sitting in the general sessions. This is partly because the speakers are ones who are regular presenters and because I am not the right audience for the remaining presenters as they were geared toward people interested in attending blindness training centers. I am a strong advocate of these centers, but information in these speeches were not relevant to me. Some of the speakers also talked about the legislative process, and I am not as interested in that process as some, even though I know and value the work done by our organization since it has provided me with many freedoms I would otherwise not have. If you want more information about the National Federation of the Blind, visit their website, nfb.org.

I bring up this convention because I just attended it. Also, the American Council of the Blind convention is coming up soon. And, after reading about the activities, I am not sure I will attend. It will have a technology time also, but I will be at work during that time. I might join them for dinner that evening, but as I am about to foster a little girl, that decision to attend is not as likely as it would have been a couple of weeks ago. Still, I would like to go since it is right here in my hometown. I want to know more about how NFB and ACB are alike and different, and this would give me that opportunity. Both organizations benefit the blind, but they have some different views on things. I like to learn and to be informed, and so I may just stop in and see how the ACB impacts me.

If you are interested to learn more about the ACB Convention in WV, some info is provided below.

Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Mountain State Council of the Blind’s annual convention at the South Branch Inn, 64 Heritage Circle, Romney, WV 26757; phone (304) 822-2444

For questions about the convention or MSCB, please call (304) 933-9540, or email Donna Brown at dandmbrown@atlanticbb.net or president Kevin Maynus at president@mscbwv.org

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Thanks for being with us today. Drop us a comment or question below. We would love to hear from you. Until next time, have a blessed weekend.