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Re: Cafeteria Dilemma - College Freshman


 

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I am not an O&M but as a VRT and a person who is visually impaired, it was always my goal that people do as much for themselves as possible. Not only because it gives them the opportunity for increased choice and independence but also because as a side benefit it can offer increased opportunities.
I have worked with blind people who think that it is okay to shovel food into their mouths with their hands for example regardless of what they are eating and if they make a mess ¡°so what i am blind.¡± These are professionals working with newly blind people. What they did not know is that when they may need to look for work they may be invited to a lunch interview well that interview starts with how well can you navigate through the door confidently and eat and not just your skills. ?I bring this up because in college you practice life skills mostly outside of class.

What if this person wants to go into different places in their community they can either stand there and be dragged along for the ride or they can pick up their dogs harness handle and tell it to ¡°find the counter¡± at least. And if they made it to college they can help brainstorm: messenger bag, backpack, cloth bag with big handles, small tray held in one arm while using dog and following person or having dog heal etc. they should contribute try a few ideas out to see which works and some might work better depending on what they are going to be eating.

Amanda?

On Aug 30, 2023, at 3:17 PM, Julie Henry <jhenry@...> wrote:

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She is hesitant. But I think she can be more independent than she is. I like the bag idea.? The cafeteria is laid out the same each day, but items are different.? For example the ¡°Special¡± for the day is always the first section as she walks in. Then there is pizza and across is the salad station, then the yogurt station, then the desserts.? She can ask the person serving what there is and ask for that specific item since no one serves themselves.

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Julie

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Julie Henry

O&M Specialist

411 W. Front | Tyler, TX | 75702

O: 903.590.4356

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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Dona Sauerburger via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 5:14 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [OandM] Cafeteria Dilemma - College Freshman

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Caution, external email.

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Some people ask that it be put in a bag, like for take-out, or maybe she can bring a cloth bag to be filled.

Is she wanting to go get everything herself?? That would seem to be a challenge for a blind person, most people I know ask for assistance to get all the food and find an empty chair.

On 8/30/2023 5:44 PM, jhenry@... wrote:

Hello!? I am an O&M instructor with a client in her first year in college.? Her main mode of travel is with a guide dog.? She is struggling in the cafeteria due to not being able to carry everything. When I was working in public schools I had my students use hard plastic cafeteria trays with the indentions for the different pieces of food and a round indention for the cup.? Is there a different way?? Or should I introduce a hard plastic tray for her instead of carrying her plate, salad bowl, silverware, and drink cup.? Right now she is not being independent. She stands there, they come to her, ask what she wants, gets it for her, and then walks her to her table. I am thinking I can have her do it all on her own (except the serving -- no one serves themselves there) if she had a hard tray.? Thoughts?

Thanks,

Julie

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-- Dona ------------------------------- Dona Sauerburger, COMS Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist for the blind Maryland


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Vargo and Amanda Stine

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