Wang,
I haven't been outside of the US in quite some time (I was born here and have only
been blind since my early 20's). What gets me is this: why throw away such good
potential simply because of a disability? This is what i feel like, a throwaway.
As for giving up things, I have given up entirely too much as it is. I an now down
to my honor and not much else.
Hawke
"wang.." wrote:
> Hi Hawke:
>
> I really hope that I could do something for you and I believe so.
> Sometimes personality and the certain historical background may become the
> barrier in the life. Whatever VOC said to you doesn't matter, as long as
> you are willing to overcome the problem.
>
> When I was in China, there was no education for the blind after 8th grade.
> I visited several high schools there applyijng for entrence, but I was
> always denied. The only reason was that I could not see the blackboard.
> That's why I had to study most of the high school and college courses by
> myself. When you are expecting a high tech training and a good job, you
> should first think what you can give up. There is no free lunch. So try
> it again! I will definitely pray for you.
>
> You can also write to me personally if you think of anything I can help
> you with.
> Love
> Ren
>
> On Wed, 27 Jan 1999, Hawke wrote:
>
> > Tom, and others.
> > Guys, pardon if it sounds like I am venting, but below is an example of my
> > horror story.
> >
> > Well, you are hearing from at least one. I have been trying to become
> > gainfully employed over the last year (so far, with no success). I am forced
> > to live on a paltry $520.00 per month (my rent takes $400.00 of that
> > immediately). After I get done paying the phone and utilities, I am in the
> > hole by $100.00 (in other words, I ahve to juggle bills every month).
> >
> > I feel like people in general are not willing to take me seriously. I get the
> > attitude that things should be done for me (I have no say in the process), and
> > that I should just sit back and be the "good little blind guy". I DON'T THINK
> > SO!
> >
> > My file with vocational rehabilitation has a number of notes in it indicating
> > the following (from several caseworkers over the years);
> > 1. individual is "out of touch with reality, and may require psychological
> > counselling"
> > 2. individual is uncooperative
> > 3. individual has a poor attitude
> > 4. individual has poor social skills
> > 5. individual has shown a lack of responsibility for his actions
> >
> > And here's the kicker!;
> > 6 individual is a whistleblower (yes, my file actually had this in it!).
> >
> > The basic impression I get from the Voc. Rehab system here in Arizona is that
> > I should do what they feel is best for me, not what I am already qualified
> > for! It was also noted in my file that I refused to learn braille (funny
> > that!). At the time, I was in classes to learn braille at the Az.Inductries
> > for the blind! It was discovered that I suffer additional sensory difficulties
> > (dyslexia) and am unable to learn Braille (they did not mention this anywhere
> > in my file, but I have the written opinion of 3 medical specialists in my
> > possession which indicates otherwise!
> >
> > Basically, the State Voc Rehab Administration has been trying to make me look
> > like a mallingering, goldbricking client who wants nothing more than to sit
> > back and collect welfare. I wish that were so, then I'd make up excuses all
> > day long. Fact is, I want to work, in my trained field of expertice (computer
> > information systems and accounting).
> >
> > I am sure there are quite a few blind (and V.I.) folks who don't have access
> > to the world wide web (or computer technology for that matter) and are going
> > through very similar problems. On top of everything else, they may have had
> > their rights violated in similar manners and don't even realize it. This
> > along with the attitude from Voc rehab that one must first have a job before
> > being issued assistive devices (what a crock! most places will not hire unless
> > you already have equipment AND training in hand) make life extremely difficult
> > for us all.
> >
> >
> > Sure, some have had better luck than others, or have bowed to pressure to take
> > whatever is presented (though not necessarily what the person is skilled
> > for). Frankly, the system is going to need a lot of changes. Until we, as a
> > community, are taken seriously, the above will be more commonplace than not.
> >
> > Hawke
> >
> > Tom Fowle wrote:
> >
> > > I believe lots of blind and otherwise disabled folks in this country
> > > are in the same boat, but we just don't hear about em cause they'r ehidden
> > > away on reduced welfare in back rooms.
> > > Tom
> > >
> > > VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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> > > http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
> >
> >
> > VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> > To join or leave the list, send a message to
> > [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
> > "subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
> > VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> > http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
> >
>
> VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> To join or leave the list, send a message to
> [log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
> "subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
> VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
> http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
To join or leave the list, send a message to
[log in to unmask] In the body of the message, simply type
"subscribe vicug-l" or "unsubscribe vicug-l" without the quotations.
VICUG-L is archived on the World Wide Web at
http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/vicug-l.html
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