WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:01.347 --> 00:00:02.525 ICBVI 00:00:03.637 --> 00:00:06.421 Empowering blind and visually impaired  00:00:06.421 --> 00:00:10.216 Idahoans to achieve self-fulfillment by providing 00:00:10.216 --> 00:00:14.190 quality Vocational Rehabilitation and 00:00:14.190 --> 00:00:18.718 Independent Living Services since 1967. 00:00:20.087 --> 00:00:22.401 Transition Student Topics 00:00:26.394 --> 00:00:28.484 >>April<< So hi Jameson. We're just gonna kick 00:00:28.484 --> 00:00:30.121 right off and get into some questions. 00:00:30.121 --> 00:00:32.133 I just want to say thank you so much, first of all, 00:00:32.133 --> 00:00:33.706 for taking the time to sit down 00:00:33.706 --> 00:00:35.102 with us today and record this video. 00:00:35.102 --> 00:00:35.873 >>Jameson<< You're welcome. 00:00:35.873 --> 00:00:38.442 >>April<< So tell me about yourself. 00:00:38.822 --> 00:00:41.188 Where'd you grow up? Where'd you go to school? 00:00:41.188 --> 00:00:42.852 What kind of stuff do you enjoy? 00:00:42.852 --> 00:00:44.114 >>Jameson<< So my name is Jameson Mayhan. 00:00:44.114 --> 00:00:46.229 I was born and raised in Pocatello, 00:00:46.229 --> 00:00:47.730 but I've traveled quite a bit. 00:00:47.730 --> 00:00:51.802 I graduated high school as of last year, 00:00:51.802 --> 00:00:54.997 at Pocatello High School, and have 00:00:54.997 --> 00:00:57.429 gone on to college. And I enjoy being 00:00:57.429 --> 00:01:00.642 outdoors and doing everything outdoorsy-- 00:01:00.642 --> 00:01:02.113 from hunting, to hiking, to fishing, 00:01:02.113 --> 00:01:04.040 to working on stuff. 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:05.859 >>April<< So definitely a native Idahoan. 00:01:05.859 --> 00:01:06.922 >>Jameson<< Yep. 00:01:06.922 --> 00:01:07.957 >>April<< Very cool. 00:01:07.957 --> 00:01:09.443 So talk to me a little bit. 00:01:09.443 --> 00:01:11.590 Tell me about your eye condition. 00:01:11.766 --> 00:01:12.919 >>Jameson<< So I have what they call a 00:01:12.919 --> 00:01:14.690 linked XY Cone Dystrophy. 00:01:14.690 --> 00:01:17.658 So how I was taught it as a kid 00:01:17.658 --> 00:01:20.541 was I have more use of my rods than my cones. 00:01:20.541 --> 00:01:23.065 I'm completely colorblind. I don't see any color. 00:01:23.065 --> 00:01:26.742 And then I also have asigmatism 00:01:26.742 --> 00:01:28.034 a nystagmus as well. 00:01:29.532 --> 00:01:32.944 >>April<< So you grew up with a 00:01:32.944 --> 00:01:33.905 congenital condition. 00:01:33.905 --> 00:01:34.956 >>Jameson<< Yes. 00:01:34.956 --> 00:01:36.670 >>April<< Anybody else, do you know, 00:01:36.670 --> 00:01:37.721 who has that condition? 00:01:37.721 --> 00:01:38.713 >>Jameson<< I have two uncles 00:01:38.713 --> 00:01:39.908 and I had a cousin. 00:01:39.908 --> 00:01:42.196 And they kind of assisted me 00:01:42.196 --> 00:01:46.195 on the way of getting through this. 00:01:46.195 --> 00:01:47.836 Not kind of being babied or anything. 00:01:47.836 --> 00:01:50.028 >>April<< So they really, you know, 00:01:50.028 --> 00:01:52.403 served as that leaping off point that... 00:01:52.403 --> 00:01:55.436 that being visually impaired doesn't mean 00:01:55.436 --> 00:01:57.334 that you should be sheltered and have 00:01:57.334 --> 00:01:58.703 helicopter parents. 00:01:58.703 --> 00:01:59.203 >>Jameson<< Yep. 00:01:59.203 --> 00:02:00.135 >>April<< Very cool. 00:02:00.135 --> 00:02:02.217 As a result of that 00:02:02.217 --> 00:02:03.566 I would say you're pretty self-aware 00:02:03.566 --> 00:02:05.557 and comfortable talking about your vision 00:02:05.557 --> 00:02:07.189 and accommodations that you 00:02:07.189 --> 00:02:09.143 needed to be successful. 00:02:09.143 --> 00:02:11.194 How important was it that you led 00:02:11.194 --> 00:02:13.655 your own 504 plan meetings 00:02:13.655 --> 00:02:15.518 through the years in school? 00:02:15.518 --> 00:02:16.923 >>Jameson<< So I think is extremely helpful. 00:02:16.923 --> 00:02:18.421 Because I'm the only person that 00:02:18.421 --> 00:02:20.234 understands what's going on with me 00:02:20.234 --> 00:02:21.934 in the school setting 00:02:21.934 --> 00:02:23.335 and in the classroom. 00:02:23.335 --> 00:02:24.783 So I know the accommodations that I 00:02:24.783 --> 00:02:29.137 personally need. And it assisted me going 00:02:29.137 --> 00:02:31.257 on to high school and even college 00:02:31.257 --> 00:02:34.060 with still getting that same thing set up. 00:02:34.236 --> 00:02:36.851 And assisting me in college so that I'm not 00:02:36.851 --> 00:02:40.125 stuck trying to struggle through 00:02:40.125 --> 00:02:42.000 college as hard, as much. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:43.150 >>April<< It definitely made you a lot more 00:02:43.150 --> 00:02:45.299 independent. So I'm going to switch 00:02:45.299 --> 00:02:49.088 gears a little bit. Will you talk to me. 00:02:49.088 --> 00:02:50.727 Describe some of the home and community 00:02:50.727 --> 00:02:51.760 trainings that we did together. 00:02:51.760 --> 00:02:53.446 What skills did you most 00:02:53.446 --> 00:02:55.863 appreciate learning that helped you 00:02:55.863 --> 00:02:57.396 with your functional visual impairment 00:02:57.396 --> 00:02:59.238 and performing daily activities? 00:02:59.238 --> 00:03:01.405 >>Jameson<< So I think cooking was one of 00:03:01.405 --> 00:03:03.018 the main things that assisted me. 00:03:03.018 --> 00:03:05.014 Because I bent down and had to get 00:03:05.014 --> 00:03:06.805 close to everything I was work...like 00:03:06.805 --> 00:03:09.351 cooking or cutting. And it just was putting strain 00:03:09.351 --> 00:03:11.164 on my back. And I do a lot of 00:03:11.164 --> 00:03:12.941 cutting of meat and stuff. So that really 00:03:12.941 --> 00:03:15.077 assisted me. And then the assistive 00:03:15.077 --> 00:03:17.793 technology. In every job I've ever 00:03:17.793 --> 00:03:19.825 worked I've had to use either Ruby-- 00:03:19.825 --> 00:03:22.280 a video magnifier--or some sort of 00:03:22.280 --> 00:03:23.954 magnification software. 00:03:23.954 --> 00:03:26.165 So that's always helped me. 00:03:26.165 --> 00:03:28.633 And then I also really enjoyed 00:03:28.633 --> 00:03:29.874 the money management. 00:03:29.874 --> 00:03:32.240 Because before I met you guys I just 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:34.528 money burned a hole in my pocket. 00:03:34.528 --> 00:03:35.645 I just had to go spend it 00:03:35.645 --> 00:03:37.509 >>April<< Had to learn how to take care of that. 00:03:37.509 --> 00:03:38.711 What did you think of shade training? 00:03:38.711 --> 00:03:40.354 >>Jameson<< I really liked it. 00:03:40.354 --> 00:03:42.723 It was...it gave me more of like a 00:03:42.723 --> 00:03:44.053 perspective of 00:03:44.053 --> 00:03:48.646 kind of how people can go through life doing it. 00:03:48.646 --> 00:03:53.208 And if it--if it comes to it, I know what to do. 00:03:53.208 --> 00:03:55.210 If it doesn't, then I'm ok. 00:03:55.210 --> 00:03:57.033 It helped with my spatial awareness as well. 00:03:57.033 --> 00:04:00.330 >>April<< So like using...letting your mind focus 00:04:00.330 --> 00:04:02.199 on your your tactile awareness, 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:03.237 where your body was, 00:04:03.237 --> 00:04:04.648 as opposed to relying on your vision 00:04:04.648 --> 00:04:05.716 which is something that you were 00:04:05.716 --> 00:04:06.924 very used to, right? 00:04:06.924 --> 00:04:07.572 >>Jameson<< Yep. 00:04:07.572 --> 00:04:08.879 >>April<< It just enhanced another skill 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:09.749 and gave you more confidence. 00:04:09.749 --> 00:04:10.575 Would you say that? 00:04:10.575 --> 00:04:11.075 >>Jameson<< Yes. 00:04:11.075 --> 00:04:12.148 >>April<< Super. 00:04:12.148 --> 00:04:14.564 So since you finished in Boise, 00:04:14.564 --> 00:04:16.074 you did some work-related 00:04:16.074 --> 00:04:17.307 training here in Pocatello. 00:04:17.307 --> 00:04:19.060 How did our agency help you with 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:20.285 other employment options 00:04:20.285 --> 00:04:21.791 while you still in high school? 00:04:21.791 --> 00:04:23.645 >>Jameson<< So I started out 00:04:23.645 --> 00:04:25.327 working at Cal Ranch. 00:04:25.327 --> 00:04:28.835 And it's kind of like a ranch store 00:04:28.835 --> 00:04:32.196 where they have kind of feed 00:04:32.196 --> 00:04:34.602 and tools and whatever you kind of need. 00:04:34.602 --> 00:04:38.725 And I started working there doing loadouts, 00:04:38.725 --> 00:04:41.206 and assisting customers with what they needed 00:04:41.206 --> 00:04:42.694 to find. I pumped some propane for 00:04:42.694 --> 00:04:43.895 them. I stocked shelves. 00:04:43.895 --> 00:04:46.363 And they taught me somewhat 00:04:46.363 --> 00:04:48.078 how to run a cash register, not much. 00:04:48.078 --> 00:04:51.146 And then what I really liked about 00:04:51.146 --> 00:04:52.285 the Commission and how they helped me 00:04:52.285 --> 00:04:54.742 is if I was interested in a field 00:04:54.742 --> 00:04:56.609 and I thought I would enjoy it 00:04:56.609 --> 00:04:58.892 you guys assisted me in getting in 00:04:58.892 --> 00:05:01.105 that field to see what I actually enjoyed. 00:05:01.105 --> 00:05:03.535 To see what I want to do with my future 00:05:03.535 --> 00:05:05.242 instead of just trying to guess 00:05:05.242 --> 00:05:06.497 and hoping. 00:05:06.497 --> 00:05:07.831 >>April<< That's it. 00:05:07.831 --> 00:05:10.353 We we did some work experiences with you. 00:05:10.353 --> 00:05:12.613 We worked on career exploration. 00:05:12.613 --> 00:05:14.315 We even explored touring a 00:05:14.315 --> 00:05:15.757 college campus and sort of looking 00:05:15.757 --> 00:05:16.905 at programs there. 00:05:16.905 --> 00:05:19.470 So you had a lot of cumulative 00:05:19.470 --> 00:05:22.462 stuff after you graduated high school 00:05:22.462 --> 00:05:24.670 that helped you narrow down 00:05:24.670 --> 00:05:26.952 what you were gonna do for employment. 00:05:26.952 --> 00:05:29.481 What degree are you seeking now 00:05:29.481 --> 00:05:31.139 and when will you graduate? 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:32.723 >>Jameson<< So I'm seeking a degree 00:05:32.723 --> 00:05:35.700 of an Associates in Diesel Technology. 00:05:35.700 --> 00:05:37.904 So I'll go out and be a diesel mechanic-- 00:05:37.904 --> 00:05:40.098 working on anything from 00:05:40.098 --> 00:05:41.883 big rigs to mining equipment. 00:05:41.883 --> 00:05:45.202 And then that also...I'll get another one 00:05:45.202 --> 00:05:49.029 in that course that helps me work on generators. 00:05:49.029 --> 00:05:50.812 Which also gets me an apprenticeship 00:05:50.812 --> 00:05:52.001 to be an electrician. 00:05:52.001 --> 00:05:56.077 And I should graduate as of next May. So 2021. 00:05:56.077 --> 00:05:59.461 >>April<< Very excited about that. Super excited. 00:05:59.461 --> 00:06:01.755 So during your college career what services 00:06:01.755 --> 00:06:03.847 has the agency provided you so that you 00:06:03.847 --> 00:06:05.583 could be successful in school? 00:06:05.583 --> 00:06:07.744 >>Jameson<< So assistive technology 00:06:07.744 --> 00:06:09.620 was a big thing for me. 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:12.274 Because with the whole Covid-19 00:06:12.274 --> 00:06:15.038 we had to switch over to an online classroom. 00:06:15.038 --> 00:06:16.387 Which was a lot different than going 00:06:16.387 --> 00:06:18.745 there from 7:30 a.m. 00:06:18.745 --> 00:06:20.966 to about 2:30 p.m. every day. 00:06:20.966 --> 00:06:23.610 So switching over to that was really difficult. 00:06:23.610 --> 00:06:26.378 But you guys, with the technology you provided 00:06:26.378 --> 00:06:28.386 and helped me learn how to use, 00:06:28.386 --> 00:06:29.451 it really helped out. 00:06:29.451 --> 00:06:30.929 And then studying skills. 00:06:30.929 --> 00:06:33.561 I never studied throughout high school. 00:06:33.561 --> 00:06:35.995 I never did homework or any of that. 00:06:35.995 --> 00:06:37.888 I just kind of floated on by with the D's. 00:06:37.888 --> 00:06:39.315 You shouldn't do that. 00:06:39.315 --> 00:06:44.094 But you guys helped me with kind of 00:06:44.094 --> 00:06:47.085 getting the skills rooted down. 00:06:47.085 --> 00:06:48.631 So that when I come through college, 00:06:48.631 --> 00:06:50.109 it's a bit easier. Instead of trying to just 00:06:50.109 --> 00:06:51.814 rush and do it all in one night. 00:06:51.814 --> 00:06:52.999 Pull an all-nighter. 00:06:53.216 --> 00:06:55.309 And then the independence of it. 00:06:55.309 --> 00:06:56.998 Taking responsibility for my own things 00:06:56.998 --> 00:07:00.750 and finding time to do what I need to do. 00:07:00.875 --> 00:07:02.829 >>April<< So yeah I definitely emphasize that 00:07:02.829 --> 00:07:03.902 in our work together, right? If I 00:07:03.902 --> 00:07:05.825 made a homework assignment I was 00:07:05.825 --> 00:07:08.569 like... I made sure to keep you accountable. 00:07:08.569 --> 00:07:10.634 Unlike, you know, the low expectations 00:07:10.634 --> 00:07:12.493 that can sometimes take place in high school. 00:07:12.493 --> 00:07:14.014 I didn't have low expectations for you. 00:07:14.014 --> 00:07:16.696 And I believed that you were able to perform 00:07:16.696 --> 00:07:17.647 those duties. 00:07:17.647 --> 00:07:19.246 So. Um... 00:07:20.169 --> 00:07:22.111 As a result of that I would also say that 00:07:22.111 --> 00:07:23.885 you're a pretty independent student. And, 00:07:23.885 --> 00:07:25.363 you know, if I raise that bar you would 00:07:25.363 --> 00:07:26.775 meet me where I--you know-- 00:07:26.775 --> 00:07:29.264 meet me at that expectation level. 00:07:29.264 --> 00:07:30.600 I also have to applaud you because you're never 00:07:30.600 --> 00:07:33.518 afraid to ask for question... ask questions or 00:07:33.518 --> 00:07:36.000 ask for help or look for more information. 00:07:36.529 --> 00:07:38.909 Looking back, was it worth it to apply 00:07:38.909 --> 00:07:41.444 to our agency for Transition Student Services? 00:07:41.444 --> 00:07:43.793 >>Jameson<< So I actually didn't apply. 00:07:43.793 --> 00:07:45.472 I uh... You guys found me 00:07:45.472 --> 00:07:47.289 through somebody named Linda. 00:07:47.289 --> 00:07:49.686 And yes it was. 00:07:49.686 --> 00:07:51.141 Because I had never heard about you. 00:07:51.141 --> 00:07:54.571 And I was about 14 when I was found. 00:07:54.571 --> 00:07:58.942 And I really was kind of struggling 00:07:58.942 --> 00:08:01.339 doing everything. And I never noticed 00:08:01.339 --> 00:08:02.591 how bad I was struggling 00:08:02.591 --> 00:08:04.425 until I met up with you guys. 00:08:04.425 --> 00:08:06.041 And you, about halfway through high school, 00:08:06.041 --> 00:08:08.377 started helping me a lot more. 00:08:08.377 --> 00:08:09.602 And we were meeting once a week 00:08:09.602 --> 00:08:12.023 for three years there. 00:08:12.023 --> 00:08:16.555 And that really helped me because I... 00:08:16.555 --> 00:08:18.653 School is hard for me. 00:08:18.653 --> 00:08:19.866 Because I just didn't care about it. 00:08:19.866 --> 00:08:21.140 But I had somebody pushing 00:08:21.140 --> 00:08:23.290 me in the background and making me 00:08:23.290 --> 00:08:24.840 go through it instead of just dropping out 00:08:24.840 --> 00:08:26.159 like I was planning on doing. 00:08:26.159 --> 00:08:27.930 >>April<< You don't know what you don't know. 00:08:27.930 --> 00:08:29.106 And when somebody gets in your corner 00:08:29.106 --> 00:08:30.189 and meets you where you're at, 00:08:30.189 --> 00:08:31.570 and then gives you opportunities, 00:08:31.570 --> 00:08:33.004 it's a big, big deal. 00:08:33.004 --> 00:08:33.571 >>Jameson<< Yep. 00:08:33.571 --> 00:08:35.135 >>April<< So last question. 00:08:35.135 --> 00:08:37.922 Any final words of wisdom for that student 00:08:37.922 --> 00:08:40.042 who's never worked with our agency? 00:08:40.042 --> 00:08:41.622 >>Jameson<< I'd say go for it. 00:08:41.622 --> 00:08:44.800 You may not know, I mean as she said, 00:08:44.800 --> 00:08:45.875 you don't know what you don't know. 00:08:45.875 --> 00:08:48.133 And I thought I would personally never 00:08:48.133 --> 00:08:51.080 really use them as assistance. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:53.231 Because I thought I was just gonna be by myself 00:08:53.231 --> 00:08:54.904 and make things happen. 00:08:54.904 --> 00:08:55.836 And what I needed, 00:08:55.836 --> 00:08:57.635 I needed, and I could just provide myself. 00:08:57.635 --> 00:08:59.990 But there are certain things that you just 00:08:59.990 --> 00:09:01.191 don't know about. 00:09:01.191 --> 00:09:02.216 You're not educated on. 00:09:02.216 --> 00:09:05.893 And say April is, or somebody else is 00:09:05.893 --> 00:09:06.929 that you work with. 00:09:06.929 --> 00:09:09.704 And they can help you so much. 00:09:09.704 --> 00:09:11.183 I wasn't gonna go. 00:09:11.183 --> 00:09:12.741 I was gonna drop out and just go install 00:09:12.741 --> 00:09:13.939 carpet for a living. 00:09:13.939 --> 00:09:16.142 But then having the Commission there 00:09:16.142 --> 00:09:17.232 to help me, push me. 00:09:17.232 --> 00:09:18.882 I'm now going to college to get 00:09:18.882 --> 00:09:20.126 two different associate's degrees 00:09:20.126 --> 00:09:22.520 in working on diesels. 00:09:22.520 --> 00:09:27.891 So I say go for it and I hope for the best. 00:09:27.891 --> 00:09:30.138 Because it's gonna end out well for you. 00:09:30.138 --> 00:09:32.725 >>April<< The more you invest, the more you 00:09:32.725 --> 00:09:34.376 take care of your goals, 00:09:34.376 --> 00:09:35.715 the more we're gonna support you. 00:09:35.715 --> 00:09:37.508 So Jamison thank you so much 00:09:37.508 --> 00:09:38.342 for being part of this and I 00:09:38.342 --> 00:09:39.130 appreciate you today. 00:09:39.130 --> 00:09:39.863 >>Jameson<< Your welcome. Thank you. 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:43.216 >>We hope you enjoyed this video. 00:09:43.216 --> 00:09:47.600 For more information see our website at: 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:54.145 www.icbvi.idaho.gov 00:09:54.850 --> 00:09:58.015 Or contact our office at 00:09:58.015 --> 00:10:03.070 (208)334-3220.