[Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

Sun Dec 16 15:55:25 UTC 2012

It's called hot summer days!! Smile.

On 12/16/12, Michelle Medina <michellem86 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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>