[Blindtlk] Eye Polking.

Fri Apr 29 04:08:51 UTC 2011

Yeah, but I'm not getting my hopes up, either. I predict that, even if
this car becomes legal and drivable in my lifetime, I'll be too old to
drive it when that time comes anyway. Unless I retain good health into
a ripe old age of course, but that's for the Lord to decide.

On 4/28/11, humberto <humbertoa5369 at netzero.net> wrote:
> I would wish that the blind driver challenge car that was debuted
> at the Daytona International speedway would be readily available
> and that legislations have passed so that we are able to drive a
> car without having to become sighted and learn to be sighted. I
> wish that this could happen really soon, and that blind people
> will be able to drive a car everywhere possible, and get to work,
> shop, and just have the freedom of driving! I believe that we
> don't have to become sighted if we want to drive; just watch how
> technology is growing in an area that it is growing now. So, I
> think one day, this Blind Driver challenge car would be on sail
> and so we can purchase it just like a sighted person would buy a
> car, and drive! not only that, but test drive the car before
> purchasing it so we have an idea of what it's like to drive the
> vehicle with innovative interfaces and technologies that can
> bridge the information gap, and make us make driving decisions,
> just like sighted people make driving decisions.
> Well, this is what I had to say.
>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>>From: Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com
>>To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>Date sent: Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:51:44 -0400
>>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Eye Polking.
>
>>I definitely agree that the best part of having sight is to be
> able to
>>drive. You don't have near as many issues with reliability (i.e.
> is
>>your Paratransit system going to get you there on time? How about
> a
>>cab driver, and what if you can't afford that?) And if you live
> in a
>>rural area, forget all that entirely. It really is an
> inconvenience,
>>the only real disadvantage we face as blind people. Sighted
> people say
>>"yeah, but at least you don't have to deal with traffic, the
>>possibility of getting in an accident, or gas prices
> skyrocketing" to
>>which I say, "try being unable to get to an important job
> interview,
>>and not just one, because that could happen if your car breaks
> down,
>>but watch many opurtunities pass you by." The car is a powerful
> thing,
>>and unless you live within walking distance of stores, your job
> and
>>your house or apartment, it does present a huge challenge.
>
>>On 4/28/11, Sherri <flmom2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Basically, I agree with Mary. The most difficult part of being
> blind is
>>> transportation and getting from point A to B in an efficient and
>>> cost-effective manner. If I could see, I would want it just for
> the reason
>>> to drive. We need to hurry up with the car that blind people can
> drive. Then
>>> we need to get the legislation through so we can drive it. Not
> in my
>>> lifetime, I'm afraid!
>
>>> Sherri
>
>>> Please check out the link below and help blind people in your
> local area
>>> achieve their dreams by visiting
>>> http://www.raceforindependence.org/goto/Sherri.Brun
>>> Thank you.
>
>>> Character is the side of yourself you choose to show the world.
> Integrity is
>>> what you do, what you say and how you act when you think no one
> is paying
>>> attention.
>>> Sherri Brun
>>> flmom2006 at gmail.com
>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Mary Mc Gee" <mmcatitude at gmail.com
>>> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2011 3:35 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Eye Polking.
>
>
>>>> Hi, All;
>
>>>>            I've read with interest all the posts about
> blindisms.  I'll
>>>> hold to my opinion that they're behaviors that should be kept to
> the
>>>> privacy
>>>> of our own homes.  I perhaps should explain why.  And, by the
> way, there
>>>> are
>>>> behaviors that are acceptable among close friends that are OK
> and
>>>> blindisms
>>>> may be in that category.
>
>>>>            From my experiences, we're already considered objects
> of fear,
>>>> strange, weird, incompetent, etc. by the sighted world, or at
> least by a
>>>> good deal of it.  Therefore, we must do whatever it takes to
> dispel those
>>>> misconceptions.  It may not be just or right, but the world is
> sighted and
>>>> the behaviors that constitute fidgeting in sighted people are
> accepted
>>>> whereas blindisms are not acceptable.  The very fact they're
> called
>>>> "blindisms" is a stereotype and it may be somewhat of an
> accurate one
>>>> because I've never seen a sighted person poke their eye or spin
> around.
>>>> Sighted people click pens, tap feet, twirl bits of hair, pace
> back and
>>>> forth, pick fingers, cross and uncross their legs, and any
> number of other
>>>> things.  The fidgets are unlimited and, believe me, I've seen a
> lot of
>>>> them!
>
>
>>>>            Sighted people closely scrutinize us because they
> expect less
>>>> from us than they do from other sighted people.  Since we expect
> equality,
>>>> we must accept equal responsibility and part of that
> responsibility is
>>>> behaving is a socially acceptable manner when in public.
>
>>>>            I've actually had people tell me they've forgotten I
> can't see
>>>> much because I "don't act like a blind person".  When I've asked
> what's a
>>>> blind person supposed to act like, they say things like, oh, you
> know, you
>>>> can't find your way around, you have those weird habits like
> poling your
>>>> eyes.  I've also had people say I'm not really blind because I
> "act too
>>>> cool" to be blind.  The misconceptions are still out there, like
> it or
>>>> not.
>>>> And, we want to emphasize our similarities to the rest of the
> world rather
>>>> than our differences.  Therefore, we must promote a positive
> image.
>
>>>>            I may as well through this into the mix:  If I had a
> sure-fire
>>>> chance to have normal vision, I'd take it in a New York minute
> because I'd
>>>> like the freedom of driving!  Yes, I can function, work, and pay
> taxes,
>>>> but
>>>> I know I'd have a higher quality of life if I could drive.  So,
> I'd have
>>>> the
>>>> procedure, then head straight to IDOT and take drivers' ed!  But
> I repeat:
>>>> It would have to be sure-fire cure or I'd opt to stay the way I
> am.
>
>>>> Sincerely,
>
>>>> Mary L. McGee
>
>
>
>
>
>>>> NOTICE:  This E-mail (including attachments) is covered by the
> Electronic
>>>> Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. Sections 2510-2521, is
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>>>> are hereby notified that any tetention, dissemination,
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> Thank
>>>> you.
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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