[Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

Sun Dec 16 15:50:02 UTC 2012

Ugh, didn't finish my sentence. A personal decision with personal
reasons behind it.

On 12/16/12, Michelle Medina <michellem86 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I get it. . . I met a blind person at a michigan center who said  he
> wanted to have kids ASAP, because he thought he couldn't play sports
> with them if he couldn't see at all.
> I pointed out that I was blind since birth due to my cleft and I used
> to play sports as a kid. There was no convincing him however, no
> matter how much I hung out with him. I just cross my fingers that he's
> doing fine these days as that was years ago, and we did manage to ride
> a tandum bike right off the porch!!!!! Lol!! Fun times, fun times!!
>
> As to the speciffic use of the cane, I didn't use it in middle or high
> school and I rarely used a sighted guide either. I got around by
> listening very carefully. Thing was, at the time I thought that was
> what made the other kids hate me, when they "saw" my cane. It was only
> later I realized it was my face with all manner of surgeries and
> longer still before I realized it was their stupidity and I was in no
> way shape or form to blame for what they did to me.
> I will also tell you though, that fitting in is a hard thing to shake
> no matter how old you are. I'm heading to Naropa u for schooling in
> Boulder Co and I hope everyday to make new friends. I won't dwell on
> it, but I admit I will hope for it, because who doesn't? Unless you're
> an ogre or something. . .
> As for what someone else brought up about mode of travel, that is a
> personal one to. I've been using my cane for a couple years now, but
> with my move looming ever larger *I leave on January 3rd*, I've been
> using my Dad alot for sighted-guide. It's one more way to be closer to
> him until I leave, so yes, it is a very personal decision.
>
> On 12/16/12, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
>> Good morning, Peter, and all.
>>
>>  From what I here, the late Ben Underwood also chose not to use a
>> cane but relied on echolocation exclusively to get an image of his
>> environment, so, let us not assume that what works for us, ought to
>> work just as well for the next guy because,, as you know, an
>> individual traveler will figure out what works for him and how best
>> to implement such strategies. Personally, I rely on a combination of
>> information that flows through a long, white stick as well as
>> echolocation to further define what the stick tells me of my
>> surroundings. Does said blind person's failure to use his cane make
>> his mobility skills less affective than they are with cane? Can one
>> tell a difference? Personally, I think sending the guy home in a cab
>> without his doing what he came to do is extreme, particularly if he
>> can manage just as well.
>> for today, Carly
>>
>> is totally blind and absolutely
>>>refuses to use a cane. They recently showed up at our Christmas party and
>>>had to be helped in to and out of the meeting room we used for this
>>> event.
>>>Members were surprised when they discovered that this person showed up
>>>without their cane. When later questioned about this the person began
>>> giving
>>>us all manner of excuse. They told us that their neurologist and past O&M
>>>instructors recommended against the use of the cane due to this person's
>>>having seizures. This individual attended Perkins along with a number of
>>>other schools for the blind. I know for a fact that at least while at
>>>Perkins this individual lived in a cottage with another person who also
>>> has
>>>seizures and is one of the best travelers I know. Like this person, the
>>>confident cane user is totally blind and is someone I came to know well.
>>> The
>>>individual in question undoubtedly met many other successful blind cane
>>>users with other disabilities. I myself have seizures and sleep apnea and
>>>use both a cane and a dog depending on the situation.
>>>
>>>     The individual refusing to use their cane has all ready been told by
>>>several members in the area that if they wish to visit them the/she must
>>>bring their cane and use it to get from their transportation in to our
>>>residence and if necessary use the cane during their visit.
>>>
>>>     When attempting to reason with the person in question members have
>>> been
>>>accused of "Bullying" them and have heard all excuses in the book why
>>> he/she
>>>cannot use a cane proficiently. The individual has been told that
>>>neurologists are not qualified to determine whether or not the use of a
>>>travel aid can effect one's seizures. The evidence to the contrary is
>>> over
>>>whelmingly against this horsepuckey. As we also know not all blindness
>>>professionals have true belief in the capabilities of the blind. This
>>>individual obviously had a few such persons in their life to sell them
>>> short
>>>on their ability to travel independently and on the importance of using a
>>>cane or a dog. The individual has been told that if they show up at any
>>> of
>>>our homes without their cane we will call them a cab and promptly send
>>> them
>>>home at their expense something they can avoid simply by listening to
>>> reason
>>>and using their cane whenever traveling. We're busy people. The last
>>> thing
>>>we need to have to do is take someone to the emergency room when we know
>>>that an individual has complete disregard for their personal safety and
>>> as
>>>negligent. It seems like direct threat provisions of the ADA may apply in
>>>this situation where public venues are concerned. The lawyers can help us
>>>wit this one.
>>>
>>>     We want to help this person achieve a higher degree of independence
>>> and
>>>be an active member of our chapter. While we won't prohibit them from
>>>joining us they'll be a more effective contributor to the cause if they
>>>would embrace the alternative techniques of blindness and use them
>>>regularly. Thanks for your help and suggestions.
>>>
>>>
>>>  Peter Donahue
>>>
>>>  "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper."
>>>Isaiah 54:17
>>>
>>>  "While for our princes they prepare
>>>In caverns deep a burning snare,
>>>He shot from heaven a piercing ray,
>>>And the dark treachery brought to day."
>>>Anonymous
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>