Category: Daily Living
So, I'm a year away from graduating college, but I don't nearly have the skills to be able to move out of my parent's house. So, I'm planning to go to one of those long-term independent learning centers that everyone seems to be going to. But I wanted to know people's thoughts on the different ones. Right now, I'm looking at either Colorado center for the blind, the one in Louisiana, or in Boston. So I just want to hear people's experiences at any center really, doesn't have to be one of the 3 listed. this will help me figure out which one I might go to. Since this is so crucial to me, I want to make sure i make the best choice possible.
If you're going to do it, do it right. I'd go either CCB, or LCB, because they are
the best at what they do, hands down. the big advantage of either center is
they don't stop with the basics of cooking, or the basics of travel, for example,
as most other centers do. You come out of there with the skills required to cook
just about anything you want because you learn much more than recipes. You
learn how to properly cook from scratch, how to use all kinds of kitchen items
most centers don't cover, and how to deal with cooking large scale meals.
As far as home management goes, you learn a lot more than just cleaning. You
learn how to fix basic to intermediate plumbing issues, how to change/repair
locks, deal with circuit breakers, and more.
Both of these programs also offer instruction in orientation and mobility skills
that go way past rout training. they teach you a lot of methods and systems
that make it possible for you to travel in cities you've never been in before,
cross highways safely, deal with forms of transportation like trains, busses, and
airplanes, etc.
In addition to that, both programs provide you with experiences and challenges
you've most likely never faced before, in what they call confidence building
activities. white water rafting, rock climbing real courses, and more, depending
on the center you pick. You're given the opportunity to take the skills you've
learned and apply them outside your comfort zone.
honestly, at the end of the day, they teach you things most centers won't, push
you harder than most centers will, and don't treat you like a child. You live in an
apartment, not a dorm, buy and cook yor own food, travel in the community
independently every day. Most other centers put you up in a dorm like setting.
Most centers don't put you in an environment where you're forced to learn and
reinforce the skills you've learned, in an actual home environment. That makes
a big difference.
I'm not at all familiar with the center in Boston. Which one is that? I have several friends in Boston, so I could do some asking about it from their perspectives, and post what they say if you'd be interested.
I think both CCB and LCB are good programs. I personally graduated from CCB, and found it very helpful. I would have considered LCB, but I couldn't stand the woman who was the director back when I went through a center. However, I know the LCB director now, and like her a lot.
A big part of what I considered, among the other things listed in the post above, is location. Since I knew I'd want to live in a city, (I don't like small towns at all), I figured CCB would be a better fit for me. It's in Littleton, which is a suburb of Denver. The transit system out there is really good. LCB is located in the little town of Ruston. It is true that the Center takes students into bigger towns and cities for more advanced travel instruction, so you do get some of that, but you don't live it every day as you do at CCB. So it depends if you want the more urban or more rural location. Also depends on if you have a guide dog. CCB is pretty relaxed in it's guide dog policies, because the woman who started it is a dog user. I've been told LCB is not quite as relaxed about it, but again, having never been there, I can't speak to that from experience.
If I think of more, I'll write it, but I respect you for seeking out the training you need.
I agree with James and Alicia. I don't know anything about the center in Boston. I know for you that would benefit in the sense of location because oston is a few hours away from Philadelphia, but I really think going to either LCB or CCB would benefit you more. I highly suggest to do your research, and talk to people from these centers that you are interested. They would be able to explain their programs. And I'd be happy to talk to you about the Louisiana Center for the Blind as well, as that was the center I went to in 2011-2012.
The thing you have to be mindful of is this. There are centers that teach you the very basics, and there are centers that give you tools that you can apply to things outside of what you do during that training. From experience, the second one is much more benefitial to you throughout your life. The first one is a good starting point, but people run in to problems when they come across something that wasn't shown to them. And that is where the centers like LCB and CCB specialize in, teaching the ideas of problem solving as one of the many parts of the Structure Discovery Method.
Best of luck Nick, and let me know if I can help with anything.
Thanks, everyone for the input. The one in Boston is the Carol Center. I didn't actually find anything about an adult program like CCB or LCB on their site, but I've been told they do have one. I guess the thing I worry about with CCB or LCB is that I don't respond well at all to very quick, randomly intense training. yes, i'm no child anymore, but I get overwhelmed very easily with things that are unfamiliar. now obviously this is something I need to work on, but I would want to go to a program that still teaches me everything and is intense, but not so intense that I get overwhelmed two months in. and yes, I prefer small towns, but realize I'm probably going to end up living in a big city, to be able to live close to good publi to be able to go somewhere closer to home, but at this point, I'm focused on the best option education-wise, and less worried about being close to home.c transportation and the like. I would love
Oh god, don't go to LCB they'll except anyone, hence the two hoodlums on this
board that went there. Lol I'm totally kidding. I have heard from someone who
has done the Carol center training, or a little bit of it, and she still came to CCB.
She said they really didn't give her enough independence and CCB gave her
more freedom. I'm with James, Alicia, and Ryan all on this. Like Alicia, I
graduated from CCB and they helped me a lot. If you do get overwhelmed,
honestly, just talk to people, it can really help because I went through that, and
the teachers especially at CCB are for the most part, great at helping you out if
you're overwhelmed. I did both rehab training and center training, and I
personally feel center training benefitted me a hell of a lot more. I also feel like
you get more monitored at Rehab training. At CCB, you have a good bit more
freedom. I know whatever decision you'll make will benefit you most of all
Nickykins. Keep us updated in what you decide to do. Alsso, I'd recommend
calling LCB and CCB and talking to someone at each center about the programs.
It'd definitely help, and if you wanna talk to any of us about our experiences, on
or off the board, I know I'd be happy to talk to you more. Good luck with your
search.
And, if you come to CCB, as an added insentive, when I'm here or if I'm not
here anymore and I come back to town, I'll come hang out with you.
Thanks, Sam. I'll tell you, knowing some people from the area are added bonuses. I'd get pretty damn restless if there wasn't anyone at all i knew in the area, considering i'll be there for at least 6 months.
I agree with what has already been said, here, and I'll add that the whole point of going to a center such as CCB or LCB, is to take people out of their comfort zones, challenge them in ways that will help give them transferable skills throughout life, and instill a confidence in them that probably wouldn't be there prior to training.
while it can get overwhelming, at times, that comes with the territory, so to speak.
that's why it's important to know that there are people at the centers, as well as here on the zone, who are every bit willing to share our experiences, identify with your struggles, and encourage you that it can, and does, get better.
Yeah, having that option would be a good help. I know it's all about the challenge, you can't gain anything out of it if you don't get challenged, and it's all in how your going to face those challenges. I have always wondered if the people at those centers could do much, i'm about as nervous to do anything new as a small child lol.
that's just it, though. all of us are that nervous, to one extent or another. so, try not to let that scare you too much.
I agree with Chelse completely. I was as nervous as you are when I first started,
you really will come out of it with a lot more confidence than you ever thought
you had.
I know that this wasn't one of Nick's top choices, but I'm just curious. How does Blind Inc. differ from CCB and LCB?
Well, for one thing, I love the cold, but even I think its a little too cold there for
comfort. though thats a miner reason.
I've just heard a lot more mixed impressions of Blind ink, and based on the
experiences of those who I know that attended the program, it wasn't as much
of a positive experience. Its more dogmatic than the other two centers, less
forgiving, and people compare the differences between blind ink and LCB/CCB
more favorably. that being the case, LCB and CCB also differ a bit in the way
they do things.
I honestly don't know that much about blind Inc. Except it's always cold in
Minnisota lol.
It will definetly be interesting to see the difference between LCB and CCB if I get the chance to do my apprenticeship at CCB like I am hoping to. I don't know of anyone who has gotten to see both centers firsthand and I will definetly share my experiences if I get the chance.
It is quite a bit of a change when you begin. If I am not mistaken Nick you are totally blid. In my case, going from traveling with my limited vision to traveling with zero vision was a huge, intimidating step. I constantly felt lost while walking around the inside of the center. A lot of it is psychological though, and you will eventually learn ways to cope with it. You will become a lot better at mental mapping as well as being more aware of your surroundings. The instructors understand that it is scarey at first, and that everyone is a different person. They won't make you jup in to anything that you can not handle even though it may still seem intimidating to you. Trust your insttructors, and more importantly trust and believe in your potential. You might be surprised at what you are able to do. There is nothing better than being independent and free to make choices for yourself.
CCB was great, I just had trouble with the travel thing because of my hearing and because I can't map out routes in my head.
Honestly, I had a positive experience at BLIND, Inc. I think a lot of that depends on who you have for classmates, and yes, sometimes leadership can be a pain in the bum to deal with, but I'm a lot better for going there. I had to leave for medical reasons part of the way through training, rather suddently, and my parents were able to come and get me. I know, I know, not the most ideal way of getting home where independent travel is concerned, but when one has a possible recurrence of seizures, and is tired from being in hospital for the morning, arranging the logistics of getting all of one's personal items home is the last thing on one's mind. winter was cold, but if you dress appropriately, (yes, layers can be an adjustment, but believe me, the cold isn't as noticeable with all that on), it's not so bad. I enjoyed my time there. It was stressful at times, but totally worth everything, including the fight for funding from my state. If you have any more questions, you are more than welcome to contact me via private message, or send me an email when I am not logged in here.
Blind inc. personally was not a good experience. As far as CCB, I've heard too many bad things. LCB seems like its really great though, so I'd recommend either LCB or the Carrol Center.
I agree with the above poster; while I attended Blind, inc in 2007(had a great experience) for the summer program... I went back in 2012 and tried the adult full time program, and let's just say, I had a terrible experience there and do not recommend this center to anyone. I can't speek for LCB or CCB though as I've never gone there. I am not a fan of any NFB centers to be totally honest... I had a friend attend the Carol center before, and she had a terrible experience there, too... but I'd say feel the centers out, and pick the best one for you. Good luck! hope this some-what helps!
If I may ask, what's so terrible about Blind Inc., besides its tacky name?
Well, from my experience, the instructors are rude, they actually wanted me to get tested, because they didn't understand why I wasn't picking up travel quicker--when I explained to them that I haven't had that much O&M they told me that was BS, and that I should be able to pick this up... and+they said that I didn't adopt the NFB philosify whatever that means lol.. look, I have ROP, I'm totally blind, and if you think that you could show me something once, and expect me to get it, your nuts! Thank god I had an awesome roommate though, and we both left within a few months of each other because of how we were treated by the staff there. I honestly do not recommend this program to anyone.