[Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

Sun Dec 16 18:06:32 UTC 2012

Hello Cheryl and everyone,

    While we don't want to push people away if folks are falling and getting 
hurt there should come a time to draw a line in the sand and demand that 
these folks use travel aids and offer to help them improve their techniques 
or get VR services or apply for a guide dog to assist them with this 
endeavor. The question we're really asking is if such individuals refuse to 
learn blindness travel skills, are constantly hurting themselves and posing 
a safety threat to themselves and others, and have repeatedly been offered 
assistance and continue to refuse it when do we draw the line with such 
persons and demand that they improve their travel skills or face 
consequences if they continue to refuse to do so? When is it time for the 
day of reckoning? My own feelings are that if the individual in question 
does not pose a threat to themselves or others in a particular environment 
they can get around by whatever travel method they feel works best for them. 
This particular person uses neither echolocation, a cane, a dog, or a human 
guide. It's this choice that has prompted chapter members  to ask this 
question. Thanks for the feedback.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 7:30 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

I was recently talking with my good friend and President of our Westchester 
Chapter here in NY, he is witnessing more and more blind people not using 
there canes and getting hurt, also I recently spoke to a high school student 
here on Long Island, who we were trying to help her get services in her 
district, since they just moved to a town over from me.
She has a cane but doesn't use it.
She has some sight, I asked her can you tell when there is a whole in the 
street, or like me when I started losing my vision, if the rug on the floor 
was the same as the stairs, could she tell when the stairs started or ended, 
I couldn't wow, that was a learning lesson for me.
She said no, her mother said that the other kids in her other school stayed 
away from each other.
But adults please, I know it is depressing, at times I don't get out of bed, 
and for those of you who know my wonderful husband, Nelson, wont stand for 
it.
Instead of picking on people or pointing them out, keep encouraging them, 
don't push, you will push them away.
Cheryl

Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY State
Leading the Way in Independent Travel!SNG Certified - Accessible Travel 
Advocate!Cheryl Echevarria, 
Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com2012 
Norwegian Cruise Line University Advisory Board Member.Echevarria Travel and 
proud member of the National Federation of the Blind will be holding a year 
round fundraiser for the http://www.NFBNY.org after Hurricane Sandy and 
other resources. Any vacation package booked between November 6 
2012-November 6, 2013 and vacation must be traveled no later than 12/30/2014 
a percentage of my earnings will go to the affiliate.  Also is you book a 
Sandals for couples or Beaches for families and friends resorts vacation, 
$100.00 per booking will go to the affiliate as well.  You do not need to be 
a member of the NFB.org, just book through us.

> From: rforetjr at att.net
> Date: Sun, 16 Dec 2012 07:04:57 -0600
> To: blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane
>
> Some points of observation.
>
> 1.  Perhaps this individual is not willing even to acknowledge their 
> blindness?
>
> 2.  Does this individual even acknowledge that there are other blind 
> people who have seasures and the like and still use canes and or dogs?
>
> 3.  Does this individual have any blindness skills at all?
>
> 4.  Is this individual as hard headed about other aspects of his life?
>
> 5.  Would it be correct to assume that y'all have tried to physically 
> demonstrate the usefulness of the cane?
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray
> Still a very proud and happy Mac and Iphone user!
>
> On Dec 16, 2012, at 6:52 AM, "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com> 
> wrote:
>
> > Good morning everyone,
> >
> >    An who belonged to our Florida Affiliate recently moved to San 
> > Antonio
> > and wishes to join our chapter. This person 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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