[Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

Sun Dec 16 15:50:13 UTC 2012

Well, truth to tell, I can walk on pretty much anything;  yeah.  Trust me, that makes the cane even more necessary;  helps in avoiding broken glass and such.

Sincerely,
The Constantly Barefooted Ray
Still a very proud and happy Mac and Iphone user!

On Dec 16, 2012, at 9:44 AM, Diane Graves <princess.di2007 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Ray,
> 
> You must have some really tough feet. LOL I can't imagine being barefoot
> anywhere accept my house--unless I was at a pool or something, of course.
> Guess I stepped on a few too many bees as a kid, or walked on a few too many
> hot sidewalks. LOL
> 
> Diane Graves
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ray Foret
> Jr
> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 10:35 AM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane
> 
> And for me, the combination of using a cane and being barefooted (when
> possible) is a help.  Now, of course, I think it seems to be the case that
> we're all saying pretty much the same thing.  Seems to me that everyone who
> has posted on this topic seems to be of the view that force is most
> definently not the way to go with this.
> 
> 
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray
> Still a very proud and happy Mac and Iphone user!
> 
> On Dec 16, 2012, at 9:23 AM, 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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