[Blindtlk] Inferiority complexwithdisabilityvsnondisabledsociety

Thu Jun 10 00:48:37 UTC 2010

I appologise if this has already been mentioned, I am behind in my reading. 
Mike, normally I would completely agree with you.  I am a graduate of the 
Louisiana Center.  I think Mary's situation is a little more tricky though, 
because she is dealing with two small children.  Getting herself across a 
busy street with no light is slightly risky, but doing so with small 
children... well that is dangerous and a little wreckless.  Mary, I don't 
mean to say that there is not a solution... it just may take a little more 
thinking.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 9:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Inferiority 
complexwithdisabilityvsnondisabledsociety


> Hi, Mary.
>
> I can certainly empathize. It's a bit of a pain without a crosswalk. 
> Nevertheless, where there's a will, there's a way. Put another way, if 
> sighted pedestrians cross more-or-less safely, so can you. I realize that 
> isn't necessarily comforting -- no one wishes to risk life and limb -- but 
> with practice and, admittedly, a bit of chutzpah, most intersections --  
> even tough ones -- can be tackled. It may take some work with a O&M person 
> from the Texas Commission for the Blind but I'd bet they'd do it.
>
> That's not to say a crosswalk wouldn't be nice. But it would be nice for 
> *everyone,* not just you. (smile)
>
> I know some will take what I've just said as meaning that I either have 
> superior training, don't care or both. Both statements would be false. I'm 
> a decent cane traveler but there are many who are better than am I. But 
> practice and a proper mixture of boldness, courage and cautiousness 
> generally will get almost any blind person through almost any 
> intersection -- that and lots of practice.
>
> For many years, I had to cross a four-lane freeway at the bottom of a long 
> hill where the cars picked up speed and were loath to stop at the 
> crosswalk; in fact, there was no pedestrian signal -- just one activated 
> by traffic from the side road I needed to walk up once I'd crossed the 
> street. Although I didn't like it, I got fairly used to waiting for a 
> relatively quiet interval and then crossing one lane at a time, holding up 
> a llane of traffic by boldly stepping out.
>
> Eventually, thank goodness, a push-button signal was installed so 
> pedestrians had equal rights with the cars. But I made it clear I wouldn't 
> use it if an audible sigbnal were installed; it was not.
>
> Incidentally, I am not opposed to audible signals if they beep once and 
> then shut up. But signals that blather on, obscuring other sound are an 
> abomination.
>
> Anyway, there may be no easy fix but with determination, I suspect that 
> you and we together can find a way.
>
> Will you be at the national convention?
>
> Mike
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mari Hunziker" <marihunziker at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2010 6:10 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Inferiority complex 
> withdisabilityvsnondisabledsociety
>
>
>> Hi Mike,
>>
>> The street does not have crosswalk. It is really unsafe without one due 
>> to
>> the traffic pattern. Light traffic at the main entrance of my 
>> subdivision.
>> But heavy traffic with the intersecting street. I have to cross it to get 
>> to
>> restaurants. a gym, etc. Really difficult without a crosswalk and 
>> especially
>> with two young children. Any suggestions on what to do. Plus, Summer is
>> hibernating season in TX. It is extremely hot midday.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Mari Hunziker
>>
>> On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 5:01 PM, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Mary:
>>>
>>> What problems have you crossing the street in front of your subdivision?
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mari Hunziker" 
>>> <marihunziker at gmail.com
>>> >
>>>
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2010 9:43 PM
>>>
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Inferiority complex with
>>> disabilityvsnondisabledsociety
>>>
>>>
>>>  Gary, I haven't had the STRENGTH to respond to Peter's message. I too,
>>>> have
>>>> suffered greatly. I used to receive transportation services here in my
>>>> city
>>>> but a few years ago they built a Park & Ride several miles away. And
>>>> because
>>>> of it I am no longer in the ADA service area. I have become a burden to
>>>> friends, family, and my husband. My kids and I are trapped in our home,
>>>> until some generous sameritan drives us to the store, the park, etc. 
>>>> I'm
>>>> not
>>>> even able to cross the street across from my subdivision. I have
>>>> contacted,
>>>> TXDOT, Travis County, and the city to have them install safe pedestrian
>>>> crossings. They have not taken any action yet. I also was on a 
>>>> committee
>>>> to
>>>> purchase new park playground equipment for the park near my home. The
>>>> board
>>>> of my HOA said it would be in by April. It is now June and they still
>>>> haven't put any playground equipment in at the park. It makes me sad,
>>>> because I do not drive, obviously since I am legally blind. I want to 
>>>> make
>>>> a
>>>> difference in the world but sometimes feel like Peter, inferior to my
>>>> circumstances and environment. It is very frustrating. I want so hard 
>>>> to
>>>> be
>>>> independent but where I live it is impossible to get anywhere
>>>> independently.
>>>> I however, am proud of the fact that I can walk to my son's school, to 
>>>> the
>>>> DQ and Taco Bell and Walgreens near the school as well as a few other
>>>> places
>>>> like the Post Office that are on the same side of the street that my 
>>>> home
>>>> is
>>>> on. How do I get the local governments and other organizations willing 
>>>> to
>>>> make accommodations so that I may become an independent patron of the
>>>> establishments across the street from my subdivision? Oh and by the 
>>>> way,
>>>> cabs/taxi's are extremely expensive to call on just to get across the
>>>> street. Please help!  Please give me some advise.
>>>> Thank you,
>>>> Mari
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 8:21 AM, Gary Wunder <gwunder at earthlink.net>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  Peter, I disagree with your characterization of the notes written to 
>>>> you
>>>>> as
>>>>> arrogant or conservative.  No one has told you to just go do it 
>>>>> yourself.
>>>>>  People have put their hearts into words for you and in thanks for 
>>>>> that
>>>>> you
>>>>> have told us what a small list we make up and how small minded we are.
>>>>>
>>>>> Julie wrote to you a wonderfully constructive message.  The same is 
>>>>> true
>>>>> of
>>>>> Steve and Dave and others.  You have to decide whether you are content
>>>>> being
>>>>> angry and figure out how to channel your anger into something 
>>>>> positive.
>>>>> If
>>>>> you need help convincing Alabama rehab to send you to a Center, we can
>>>>> try
>>>>> to help.  We can't promise results, but we can promise our best 
>>>>> efforts.
>>>>>
>>>>> If your area has no chapter, then we need you more than ever because
>>>>> there
>>>>> is hope the NFB isn't offering which you can bring if you will.  If 
>>>>> you
>>>>> have
>>>>> suffered more than most of us, then perhaps you will have more 
>>>>> compassion
>>>>> than we for people who really need you.  Your inspiration may inspire
>>>>> them,
>>>>> your perseverance may give them strength, and your willingness to give
>>>>> some
>>>>> of yourself to them will make all of us better.  Are you interested in
>>>>> talking about problems and solutions or in just putting us down for
>>>>> extending ourselves to you?
>>>>>
>>>>> Gary
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
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>>>
>>>
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>
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