[Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

Sun Dec 16 15:55:06 UTC 2012

I've never stepped on a bee (knock on wood), but I have walked on
hooooot sidewalks, stepped in Dog poo and ran over gravel! Lol.

On 12/16/12, Mike Freeman <k7uij at panix.com> wrote:
> Aren't such incidents part of the American experience? (grin)
>
> Mike
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Diane
> Graves
> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 7:45 AM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane
>
> 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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