[Blind-rollers] Radio programme about blind rollers

[qubit]

Hello Sasha --
Actually, the first comment I agree with -- I think a blind person, walking 
or rolling, should carry a cane to let people know they don't see.
It's the second comment I don't like.  I personally don't move around in 
unfamiliar places without a sighted person to guide or push my chair, as 
using the cane is difficult when I don't know where I am, and the thought of 
descending stairways scare me half to death.
Familiar places I travel in fine.
Sometimes it's hard to be a consciousness raiser when not all blind rollers 
feel the same way -- I mean, people on the list differ on which is easier: a 
manual or a power chair for a blind person roller.  I think comfort with 
travel is another issue where people will differ.  For one thing, people are 
rollers for a variety of medical reasons. In my case, I have brittle bones 
and so incur serious fractures with even a minor spill.  Case in point: I 
was accidently dumped out of the front of my manual chair because of the 
load being out of balance and broke both legs, which required multiple 
surgeries.  Consequently, I can't afford to have even minor accidents when I 
am traveling.  Someone else who is a more athletic roller, could probably 
engage in wheelchair sports and could afford to be more active.
So I guess I'm not as negative toward that broadcast as you.
I will go listen to it though.
I am glad you voiced your opinion as it could result in more understanding 
on their part, and the knowledge that rollers are "normal people" with a 
wide range of abilities.
Take care and keep rollin'!
--le




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sasha Ayres" <sashaallears at yahoo.co.uk>
To: <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 1:31 PM
Subject: [Blind-rollers] Radio programme about blind rollers


Last week the BBC Radio 4 programme for blind people called In Touch did an 
item about blind rollers. A man wanted a symbol to identify himself as blind 
when using his wheelchair independently. another blind roller was telling 
him he should not use his wheelchair independently because it is too 
dangerous. I was appalled by these comments.

It was a UK broadcast but you can hear the programme online by going to 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/intouch. If you don't like the comments about it being 
dangerous, contact the programme and tell them how you do it. I have already 
contacted them to tell them how I use my wheelchair and a cane together 
safely.

Happy listening.

Sasha




_______________________________________________
Blind-rollers mailing list
Blind-rollers at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
Blind-rollers:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blind-rollers_nfbnet.org/lauraeaves%40yahoo.com