I'm Jess, and am new to Redit. I am totally blind, stumbled across this community by chance, and figured I'd join up :)
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I'm a social worker, love spending time in nature, time with friends and family, animals, meeting new people, learning about other cultures, travelling (haven't been overseas yet though), movies that make you think, and am an avid devourer of books. Looking forward to getting to know others here.
King_of_the_Dot5 points2y ago
As a sighted person, welcome! I'm here cause I like to be informed about others and their experiences.
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hi, and thank you for the welcome, it is much appreciated :)
TheBlindCreative4 points2y ago
Welcome!!!! I am also interested in becoming a social worker. Would you be willing to answer a few questions on how you navigate your job as a social worker as a blind person? When working with individuals who are a part of patient populations when safety is a concern, what do you do to stay safe? How do you take HIPA secure notes in an accessible format? I use a screen reader and Braille. I would feel disconnected to have my laptop on my lap with an ear bud in my ear when talking with clients. I imagine that typing with a Braille display would work best. How did you handle issues like employers having concerns about your impaired ability to see facial expressions? Are there any other blindness related challengesthat you experienced in the workplace that I should know about ahead of time?
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hi, and nice to meet you. Awesome username by the way.
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In terms of safety, in my previous role with youth mental health, I had a panic alarm I could press when in an intake session to alert my colleagues to any concerning behaviour, (thankfully, there was no ocasion to use it).
If attending someone's home, I always go with another staff member.
The issue around the inability to see facial expressions is something I haven't quite overcome, yet. Usually I go by the attitude, tone of voice, and energy, but it can be challenging.
In regard to note-taking, yes, a braille display is best, or a laptop (I try and touch type so I don't have to have earbuds in, but I find if I explain to the person why I need to use them, it defuses that disconnected feeling).
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I'm currently working in an office-based, phone role on response and inquiry, dealing with people who are sometimes elevated, general quieries, and more complex ones. It's very varied, but face to face contact is limited.
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I hope this helps you, and please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions.
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What field are you thinking of getting into?
TheBlindCreative1 points2y ago
Thanks for responding!!!
I am still trying to decide. I have a strong interest in medical social work. I am a kidney transplant recipient, and I want to help meet the mental health needs of patients experiencing illness. I am also interested in working in private practice. If I am being discriminated against in the hiring process, I can always work for myself. I also have interests in helping clients experiencing challenges with ADHD and medical related PTSD. I find advocacy work quite interesting. Additionally, I have an interest in bringing the mental health conversation to the Catholic community and other Christian communities at large. I have a lot of interests.
Also, how did you get your technology needs met in the workplace? Did voc rehab help or did HR help coordinate assistive technology needs?
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
You are more than welcome :) That does sound like a lot of interests, and you would be well-versed to work in a variety of fields. The working for yourself path is also a good avenue.
In regard to assistive technology, Job Access over here in Aus assisted with that. It sounds like you have a similar set up over there?
Zeequ3 points2y ago
Welcome, there Are many people here, me i have my sight for now, but i am slowly loosing it, i might not get totally blind but at some point glasses aren't going to cut it. So I joined this subreddit in advance 😁
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hi, and thanks for the welcome! :)
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Lynecia2 points2y ago
Welcome! What are some of your favourite books?
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hi Lynecia,
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Great question. I would say too many to name, however, I definitely think my favourite books of recent times are Phosphorescence by Julia Baird, and The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. What about you?
lcornwell11 points2y ago
well I am new to the reddit seen as well and I have a lot to learn would you please reply back to me and let me know id this goes through ? thanks.
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
It worked, and welcome :)
siriuslylupin61 points2y ago
Welcome from this intermittently active person I’ve been on this sub for a long time different accounts but yeah. It’s a nice one over all. Mostly answer questions. But yeah, welcome and I hope you enjoy this and reddit. Many subs I use this account primarily for typology honestly so I am interested in theoretical psych some people call it woowoo but i would disagree jungian type stuff but yeah. Self development. Fun stuff to delve in theory. But yeah. But welcome anyway and check out other subs probably if you are interested it’s there. Search for it.
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hey :) thanks for the welcome, it's nice to be here. I will definitely check the other subs, too.
siriuslylupin61 points2y ago
No problem. And yes it is. Nice peaceful sub for the most part.
Yeah, reddit can be fun and useful I’ve had some interesting conversations on here.
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
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[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
~~Hi,~~
I can assure you I have 2 friends, both totally blind, who are working in teaching. One works part-time as an aid, and the other is currently working in an advisery role to teachers using braille with blind children, but has previously worked teaching both sighted and blind students. Marking can be a challenge and you'd need assistance for that, or to have the information in electronic format. I hope this helps.
spider_lord1 points2y ago
Welcome. I'm a recent college grad with RP.
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Thanks for the welcome :) Congrats on the recent graduation! what did you study?
spider_lord1 points2y ago
Sure thing. I majored in creative writing and minored in film and media studies
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
That is awesome. Did you enjoy it? and what field are you hoping to get into now?
spider_lord1 points2y ago
Yes I did. Hopefully journalism or marketing.
CosmicBunny971 points2y ago
Hey, nice to meet you! You sound awesome. I’m 23 and live in Australia. I like to listen to audiobooks and podcasts, volunteer, play D&D, cook and write. I’ve justrecently began learning piano and singing, would love to make my own synth wave music or be featured in EDM songs :P I also like to travel and I’m curious about people and cultures.
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hey :) nice to meet you. I also live in Aus, and I'm 36. What sort of books do you enjoy reading, and your music aspirations sound awesome too :) You mentioned travelling, have you been overseas as of yet?
CosmicBunny971 points2y ago
Oh nice! Which state? I just finished Skyward by Brandon Sanderson, and just started on the sequel. I like young adult romance, but I need more sci fi in my life :P I say I like to write but I haven’t written much in a few years honestly. And yeah, I’ve been to America 5 times (My mum has a Disney obsession LOL) and Japan twice :) If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hi :)
I'm in Queensland, and you?
They sound interesting, I haven't read either of those.
I'm currently reading All our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton. Highly recommended.
I haven't been overseas yet, but if I could travel anywhere, I'd probably say India at the moment. What about yourself?
Also, what was the highlight of your trips to the US and Japan?
CosmicBunny971 points2y ago
Same! I’ll have to check that book out. For me, I really liked shopping in America :P and the Disney parks of course. And the food. For Japan, definitely the food and exploring the cities. As you can probably tell, I’m all about that food. Going to India would be really cool!
blackberrybunny1 points2y ago
Hi Jess. I'm Molly. I'm 52. I hate spending time in nature, because I hate hot weather. I am from Florida. I dread the summer coming. I love cold weather. I do love animals though! I have 2 cats and a beagle. My beagle is Napoleon, and he's about to turn 7 years old. He's my heart. I'm also married, to a wonderful man, and we're celebrating our 19th year anniversary this Halloween.
I love learning about other cultures. I was a Sociology major in college. I always wanted to visit India, and I love Indian food. My heritage is 80% German and the other 20% is mostly Irish and a sprinkling of eastern European too. My mother is from Waibstadt, Germany. We love to cook German food, though it is bland compared to Indian food!
I also love books. I read a lot. Off the top of my head, "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Varghese was amazing! I also love Rohinton Mistry's books. Also, a series by an Irish woman named Martha Long was one of the best set of memoir books I've ever read! The first one is called, "Ma, he sold me for a few cigarettes," and it details the horrible gripping life of a young girl growing up in the despair and poverty that was her life in Ireland. Absolutely page turning!
I'm pretty boring, actually. I spend a lot of time online. I do have some vision, but I've been legally blind my whole life. We are so lucky to live in this time, when we have this wonderful technological advances in our lives.
Welcome to our group!
[deleted] [OP]2 points2y ago
Hi, Molly :)
Lovely to meet you. Your reading and love of Indian food resonate with me as well. When is Nepolian's birthday? I hope he has a happy one, and I'm sure he will.
Congratulations to you and your husband on 19 years, that's awesome! :)
How long have you been a part of this group so far? It's very welcoming :)
blackberrybunny1 points2y ago
Hello again! Lovely to 'meet' you as well! Napoleon's birthday is April 1st. He's my little fool. I can't believe he's almost 7! It's scary as hell too. One day I will have to say goodbye to him. It's going to kill me. I was never able to have kids, so he's my heart and soul. Well, besides my husband, who gave Napoleon to me as a gift. When I got him, he was about 3 months old and soooooooo cute! I guess I've been a member of this group for about a year, maybe two? There are so many interesting groups on reddit... It's easy to get lost on here for a few hours every day. I forgot to mention that when it comes to books, my most favorite topic is post-apocalyptic fiction. But not about zombies! I love to read about nuclear post-apoc. I had to read the book, "Earth Abides" in the 7th grade, and from then on I was hooked... But there is so little post-apoc fiction and movies. I also enjoy a good pandemic kind of book too. But I never thought I'd actually be living in that scenario!
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Hi again!
Yes, I completely understand your feelings toward Nepolian. My Astra was my guide dog from 2009 till 2016, and I kept her as a pet afterward. She passed in September, and it was so heartbreaking for Mum and I. She was our baby. She was nearly 14.
In regard to books, I have some recommendations for you then! Have you read the Tomorrow When The War Began series by John Marsden, or The City We Became by N. K. Jemesin? Both excellent Sci Fi and Pandemic related books, respectively. The Tomorrow series is for young adults, but I thoroughly loved it as a teen, and would read it again now 20 years later.
blackberrybunny2 points2y ago
Hello friend! I'm really sorry to hear about your Astra passing... it is SO difficult... words cannot even console. Almost 14 though--that is a good long life. I bet she was one heck of an amazing guide dog, and friend. I bet she was gorgeous too! I have gone straight to Amazon and put those books into my cart. I can't believe I have never heard of these series before! I spend a lot of time at amazon looking up books, so thank you so much! When I was looking for "Tomorrow When the War Began," there was a movie-- with the same title. I am not sure if it is from the book? I haven't had a chance to check it yet. It takes place in Australia. I am probably going to watch it too. It's a cold cloudy day here in Florida today. We are not expected to have a high much more than 50 F, which is very uncommon here. It's a great day to stay inside with a cup of hot tea, and a good book, and a good movie too! So thank you so much for those suggestions. I am off to make some breakfast now. Have a wonderday day! -Molly
guitarandbooks1 points2y ago
Nice to meet you and welcome to the sub!
[deleted] [OP]1 points2y ago
Thank you very much. I like your username by the way.
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