Through out my life I have had several different jobs. As we all know for the average person, looking for work is extremely competitive. So, you could imagine just how difficult it would be for someone with a disability. For the most part and with the use of visual aids I have been able to learn most jobs that I have applied for. There have been a few that were 'BIG' failures and my feelings were very hurt! We won't focus on those ones because they are not important and as I mentioned before I try only to focus on the things that I can do and except and forget about the things that are beyond my abilities. We all have our limitations!

Believe it or not I love to write resumes and go to job interviews. What a wacko! ay? Aside from actually learning my job I think the most difficult thing is to try to convince an employer that I can do the job. This is difficult because I'm not sure myself whether or not I can do the job. People are so afraid of things that they don't understand and it is just easier for them to hire a "Normal" person.

The one thing that I have learned is that when you have a disability people are FAR less tolerant of your mistakes. I don't know of any one who hasn't made some mistakes when they are learning a new job. When it came to my job for the most part I could never have a bad day or just screw up I had to be one hundred and one percent perfect! People would always use my eyesight as a reason for my mistakes. When this would happen I would have to be very strong and stand up for myself. For the most part any mistakes that I made were not because of my impaired vision but rather just plain human error. I had to let people know that this was a form of discrimination and that I wouldn't put up with it. This of course would make me unpopular with some of my co-workers. At times this would put extra stress on me at work and make me depressed. A fun night out with my friends or even a quite and pleasant evening at home would usually put things in prospective for me. So for the most part I didn't mind negativity from co-workers too much, just ask my husband I do love a good confrontation!!!

When I was sixteen I was offered a summer job in Kelowna as a case-aid worker through the C.N.I.B. (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) Kelowna was several hundred miles from the town we were living in at the time and I was afraid to go to a city that was so far from home. As hard as it was my parents had to enforce some tough love and they made me do it. I thought that they hated me and didn't want me home anymore. I can imagine that my anger and resentment was hurtful to them. Sorry mom and dad! My parents worked hard to make me an independent person and this was a great opportunity for me to gain independence and self-confidence. Not until later did I realize what a wonderful thing they had done for me and just how much they loved me by doing this.

This job was interesting. I worked with two other girls. One was completely blind and the other had about five percent of her eye sight (If I remember correctly). I had several clients who I would visit. These clients were mostly elderly. I had a couple of clients who were young one of them was a great deal of fun. I always loved to see her. The other one made me sad because she was so young and had a child and she just seemed so quiet and unhappy. All of my clients were visually impaired and some were hearing impaired as well. My Job was to inform them of all the services provided by the C.N.I.B. and ask them if they were in need of any sort of assistance. I was also there to just lend then an ear and give them moral support. This was a great deal of fun. Part of our job was learning what sort of work skills we had. I thought this sucked and was pointless. It didn't tell me anything that I didn't already know, that I was artistic!

Something else that we had to do was called orientation. This involved learning how to use a white cane. For one of my co-workers it was a very useful part of the program. I went to a regular school and all of my friends had regular eyesight. I never used a cane to get around and did not intend to use one I was use to getting around on my own. Now and then I would use my monocular to read signs or see traffic lights. I felt that being a young woman and using a white cane would increase my chances of falling victim to predators. So I absolutely refused to participate in that part of the program. Needless to say my actions caused a big stink, that’s just too bad! When I make up my mind to do or not do something it’s a done deal. At one point one of the people in the office said that I should be thrown out of the C.N.I.B. so much for promoting independence, of course this never happened.

Most of my experiences in Kelowna were excellent. I gained more confidence in myself and discovered that I could be independent. I cried when I had to leave. When my parents brought me to Kelowna they made sure that I was settled ok. They helped me learn my bus routes. When they left I cried because I thought that they were two of the cruelest people in the world. Years later I found out that unknown to me they stayed in Kelowna an extra week longer. They kept a safe distance (for someone with my eye sight that’s not hard to do, ha ha!) and made sure that I got around ok. Years later when I found this out I was so touched. It still brings tears to my eyes to know just how much they love me. Thanks mom and dad.

I worked as a waitress at a nightclub for a while, my boss Harry was a very nice man. To make sure that I didn't miss anyone I would just check my section often. People didn't mind because, they got good service that way. They always had a full drink and a clean ash tray. (Yuck! I don't smoke) It was a great job for a young single woman. but, I wouldn't have the patients to do that kind of work now.

I worked as a computer graphic artist in Alberta for a while, this by far was my favorite job. I love to work on the computer and it was a great way for me to incorporate my art with the technology of computers! My sister was a sign painter and I also worked prepping signs for her for a while. Her friend (my boss) taught me all the computer skills.

The last job that I had before I met my husband was as a teller at one of our local banks. It was an interesting job my favorite task was electronic funds transfers because quite often there was an interesting story that went along with them. During my employment a few incidence occurred regarding my visual impairment that I found rather disturbing.

When I first started work my boss told me that working as a teller would teach me a great deal about people and she was right. I knew there would be flack because of my eyesight, after all who ever heard of a visually impaired bank teller? I predicted that most of the trouble would be from young people and that the older ones would be more understanding, boy was I wrong!!! There were many people who thought that it was great that I worked at the bank and they were supportive and happy with my service. If there was a problem it seemed the older the client was the less understanding and tolerant they became. I would often be referred to in a loud voice as "that blind girl" which was usually accompanied with a pointing finger. I had one woman come up to my station and actually say. ’Well, with you being blind and all I hope that you can do this for me." (It was a very simple transaction) So in a loud voice I told her that I was more them capable of doing my job and if she didn't feel comfortable being served by someone with a disability that she did have the option of going to another tellers station. I made my point and she let me serve her. But my feelings were extremely hurt and I went home that night and had a good cry. There were even times when I would get blamed for mistakes that other tellers made. Some of my co-workers were very helpful and supportive but there were also some that were very unfair to me. But I did make a couple of really good friends there, isn't that right Pat and Alvin!

One day one of my co-workers approached me and told me that her daughter had come home from school very upset. I guess I served their teacher and had made a mistake on the transaction. I have had mistakes made on my accounts by other tellers, as long as it gets corrected I am usually not too upset about it. I don't think the mistake was a serious one otherwise I would have heard about it.

My co-workers daughters' class was discussing a book about a blind woman that they had just read. During the discussion the teacher said to her class, "The ------ Bank has a blind girl working there as a teller and she is always making mistakes, I don't know why they ever hired her."

I could have made this thoughtless woman loose her job if I really wanted to. Instead we decided that it would be far more productive if I actually went to the school and talked to each class from kindergarten to grade seven about vision impairments. I brought some of my artwork and visual aids. My co-worker came along with me to give me a hand. It was one of the best things that I ever did, I think I actually made a bit of a difference. Some of the students even gave me samples of their art work. Curious, the teacher who said that about me called in sick that day. That says a great deal about her character or should I say lack of character?. I ended up talking about my visual impairment to the boy scouts as well as the school on our local reservation. There is where I met a youg student who was visually impaired.

I have discovered that young people are very open minded and quick to learn about people who have disabilities. When I encounter a young person who has a negative or discriminating attitude towards people who have disabilities, I can’t help but wonder if this is because of the negative influence that they get from the adults in their lives. After all discrimination and negativity isn’t something that you are born with, it is something that you are taught. This is why I hope that I can get the chance to speak to teachers and other adult groups or organizations because they are the ones who educate and influence our children..

As I go through my life I have discovered that people deal with their disabilities or with other people’s disabilities in a wide variety of ways.

I have always tried to maintain a positive attitude in dealing with my own visual impairment. However, this can be much more difficult to do then it sounds. Our whole society is so fast paced and geared towards people who have no disabilities that I know some very talented and productive people have been lost along the way. This is even so true for those individuals who have no disabilities.

I think one of the most important things to remember is that no matter how difficult or impossible things get you always have to believe in yourself. For me believing in myself has helped me through many difficult times but, it isn’t easy to do. Having the support of your spouse, family member or close friends can be such a big help. They usually can see to good things in you that you may over look.

Knowing your rights is very important. Quite often I have had people treat me as if it is my fault that I am visually impaired. Because of others ignorance (lack of knowledge) they can be very cruel. Don’t allow their actions or words to anger you or make you feel like you are less of a person. We have to remind people of our rights and try to educate them. When I worked at the bank not a day went by where I didn’t have to explain my visual impairment to someone. Some would ask polite questions and others would be so rude and say things like, “Boy you sure are blind. Why don’t you get some glasses?” After a while this really got annoying and tiresome and sometimes I felt like giving some of them a good smack! Instead I would just smile and put up with it because I knew how important it was to educate people.

You also have to understand and accept that there are some people in the world who have a big chip on their shoulder and they may never change. Don’t allow these people to have a negative effect on you. Just move forward, maybe some day they will do themselves a big favor and get it!?

NEVER allow people to tell you what your limitations are or what you are capable of doing. This is a very personal thing that only you can discover for yourself. In doing this it is also important to be very honest with yourself. If you are confronted with something that is beyond your capabilities, accept it and focus on the many things that you can do.

Never be ashamed to ask someone for help. This is probably one of the most difficult things that I have to deal with. I sometimes strive so hard to be independent that at times I tend to overwork myself and become very stressed. As someone with a visual impairment it is very important to strive for independence. I must remember that it is equally important to exorcise some humility and not be afraid to ask someone for help when I need it. Not only are you doing something positive for yourself but you are also doing something nice for someone else. I have found that in general most people love to help out others it makes them feel good. I know I sure feel good when I can give someone a hand!

Modern technology has made it so much easier for people with disabilities to function in everyday life but If anyone asked me, "what is the most difficult thing to deal with when you have a disability?" I would tell them, "dealing with the ignorance of others." That is why education is so important!

I would like to focus on my career as an artist. I really want to get my work out to the public beyond Creston that is why we designed the website. Some day I would also like to publish a book of all my work and the stories that go with them as well as some family history and information about my visual impairment..

To date I have sold work in England, Germany, Japan, the United States and Canada. I have had articles written about me in our local paper. My work has been featured on various websites and I did a telephone interview for a magazine. One day I would love to do a radio or television interview and discuss my work and what it is like to live with a visual impairment.

I used to be ashamed to tell people about my eye sight I didn't want to associate it with my art. I wanted people to like my art for what it is and not because the 'blind girl' did it. Some time ago someone told me that I should share my vision impairment with others, especially in regards to my artwork. So I took their advice and that is why I am telling you my stories today. (Thanks Jeff! - owner of the first gallery that displayed my work)

I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to read these stories. I am sharing some of my experiences with you to give you some insight as to what life is like for someone with a visual impairment. I also hope that some of my stories will encourage others with disabilities to never give up. I feel that I have been very blessed and I am very thankful for my life and all of the experiences, both good and bad, that I have been through because they have made me who I am today. I still have such a long ways to go! I am also very thankful for my artistic abilities because I feel that they are a true gift. Most important, I am thankful for all the wonderful people who are in my life!

Last year I was honored by having an article written about me in Vol.19, Winter 2004 issue, of The Canadian Blind Monitor that is a publication created by (AEBC) The Alliance For The Quality of Blind Canadians. (Formerly known as (NFB: AE) the National Federation of the Blind: Advocates For Equality)

I would like to give special thanks to Sara for writing such a wonderful article and thank you to the creators of the Canadian Blind Monitor for including me in their interesting and informative publication!

To become a member of AFBC, subscribe to the Canadian Blind Monitor or obtain a copy of Vol.19 Winter 2004 issue (limited number of copies available) please call: Toll Free: 1-800-561-4774 or E-mail: info@blindcanadians.ca

Also don’t forget to drop by and visit the website at: www.blindcanadians.ca