David.Bond@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.org (David Bond) (04/12/91)
Index Number: 14790
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
What does someone like me do for a living? I wish someone
could tell me how to use the skills I have, now that I am blind,
because I always enjoyed working. Now I am thwarted and
frustrated. I have delved into a number of things, only to end up
at a dead end. I used to be in a partnership designing and
building refrigerated buildings, and then working as a project
manager for a construction company, but these are now only fond
memories. I believe that I will ultimately only be able to work
for myself because I feel that I work best under that condition.
Plus, I am a creative sort of person, and I know I could be
successful in the right field. But for all my creativity and
abilities, I just can't seem to make a go of it now that I am
without sight. I don't think I am "wallowing" in pity, in fact, I
believe that I have accepted my blindness very well. Do some of
you have some advice, opinions, constructive criticism, encouraging
insights or brilliant ideas? I would love to hear from someone
that has perhaps been in my position and come through it. I have
been blind for 3 years now, shouldn't I be earning a living by now?
Things I have tried:
1. Telemarketing.
2. Considered opening a deli restaurant.
3. Considered manufacturing and distributing a food product.
4. Considered going back to school for something.
5. Considered going into computer programming.
6. Considered going into accounting and financial management.
7. Love computers, but don't know about a career in the field.
8. Presently have formed a mail order business, but now on hold for
lack of capital. I am cautiously optimistic about this but
wondering if I can handle it.
What are some of you doing? Is someone perhaps in the mail
order business? Is someone perhaps in the building design,
engineering, or architectural fields?
Signed,
Discouraged...
Also go by: Dave Bond.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!273!210!David.Bond
Internet: David.Bond@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.orgLois.Briggs@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Lois Briggs) (04/12/91)
Index Number: 14792
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
Also an introduction here. I am new to this board but not to blindness.
I don't know anything about you so I'll tell you a little about me.
I'm 49 and have RP. I have light perception and shadows and sometimes
can even recognize the shape of something all according to the proper
light. I don't know what your blindness is from, but if you are
otherwise in good health and reasonably young, my advise to you is keep
trying until you hit on just the right thing. You have a lot of
"considers" in your message. Don't just consider, give them a try in
order of what really interests you. I'm presently tele-marketing for
specialty advertisers. I am doing it from home 20 hours a week and got
into it as a way of learning about computers. The state gave me the
equipment two years ago and in one more year it will belong to me.
Hooray!! That was a big incentive. I do understand your discouragement
though. I know I could be doing lots more but my mobility isn't that
great. I guess I should say my orientation more than mobility. Maybe
several of us should get together and start a company, each contributing
their special skills. It sounds like you have many skills and a good
head to boot. Has BVS been of any help? Type back.
Lois
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89.0!Lois.Briggs
Internet: Lois.Briggs@p0.f89.n129.z1.fidonet.orgChip.Orange@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Chip Orange) (04/12/91)
Index Number: 14793
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
David,
Instead of being discouraged you should be proud of yourself.
Loosing ones sight later in life is by far the hardest way to have to
deal with blindness. The fact that you are trying so hard after only
three years is a very good signb indeed.
Secondly, don't be discouraged about being unemployed. Well, I know
how that must sound but what I mean to say is that I have read about
seventy (that's 7 0) per cent of blind people are unemployed. Even if
you had had your entire life to adapt, it's still{ not an easy thin{g to
become employed.
Almost every state has some programs (such as operating a vending
stand or small restaurant) which I assume you know about. That's
probably the easiest way to become employed. If that's not for you, I
can suggest my thoughts on the matter and what I did that works for me.
I decided early on that an employer would never hire a blind person
for a job when there were hundreds of similarly qualified sighted
applicants. So I decided that I would do something that the average
sighted person could not do in order to cut down the competition. For me
that meant going to college and getting a degree in computer science with
straight A's. That last part is not bragging, it's critical. The one
thing that might sway an employer to hire you is that you are obviously
more qualified than his average applicant, and have proven that.
An underlying premise of this is that you choose some career where
your brain power is emphasized much more than your sight, motor skills,
or ability to process paperwork. While computers and adaptive devices
such as reading systems help a lot, I'm afraid they don't help much when
it comes to drafting plans or reviewing design graphs. I'm not a career
counselor, but I'm trying to say that I beleive your former career is not
a promising one any longer.
Well, I've gone on long enough, but if you'd like to chat further,
leave me a day-time and evening phone number and I'll give you a call
some time.
Chip Orange
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778!Chip.Orange
Internet: Chip.Orange@f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgJim.Homme@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Homme) (04/12/91)
Index Number: 14802
[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]
i have been blind for all my 32.5 years,
and am unable to say i understand your
position fully. however, i would say you
will have to use your brain to make a
living, rather than your brawn, and that
you should find a narrow, marketable
skill. examples would be programming,
law, perhaps teaching design, and some of
the skills you once performed, and now
have fond memories of. there is a good
book called "what color is your parachute"
either on tape, disk, or in braille . i
used it to help me narrow down my
interests. hope this helps. be glad to
talk again.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!89!Jim.Homme
Internet: Jim.Homme@f89.n129.z1.fidonet.org