[Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

Mon Dec 17 03:30:32 UTC 2012

I was attending the 1993 National Convention when Dr. Jernigan delivered 
that speech.  I think it was well thought out.  One of the things he pointed 
out is that whether you use a human sighted guide or a cane in the long run 
by itself is not the issue.  The issue is that you understand that you have 
choices and you understand why you are using a particular method of 
mobility.  For example, is it really better to walk into a crowded 
restaurant by yourself and having a sighted person you want to eat with 
screaming at you "over here, over here," while you are trying to hear them 
above the tumult of the dinner crowd, or is it really more independent to 
take that person's arm in that situation and move safely to your table? 
These are things, I believe, for all of us to consider mas we continue on 
our journey.

Mark Tardif
Nuclear arms will not hold you.
-----Original Message----- 
From: Ray Foret Jr
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 10:30 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane

The title you are looking for is, "The Nature of independence".

HTH.

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

On Dec 16, 2012, at 9:22 AM, Diane Graves <princess.di2007 at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> Hi Guys,
>
> Does anyone remember the article Dr. Jernigan wrote about this dilemma? 
> The
> name of the article is escaping me at this time, but I remember that at 
> the
> end, the gist of the writing was summarized by a statement along the lines
> of "whether dog, or cane or human arm" the choice belongs to the 
> individual,
> and the overall objective is to get where you need to go and do what you
> need to do.
>
> In the NFB, we meet people at all levels. Some are newly blind, others re
> blind people who have been sheltered all of their lives, others are people
> that are so independent that they think they could climb a skyscraper and
> survive. (A little over the top there, but you know what I mean.)
>
> Anyway, our job is not to judge them or dictate to them. Our job is to 
> meet
> them where they are and do our best to help them. Whether or not they 
> accept
> that help is up to them. The behavior that you are describing is one 
> reason
> that many blind people don't want anything to do with the federation.  It
> sounds to me like the members are refusing their friendship on the basis 
> of
> his decision. Do you really think that is going to help him?
>
> If one is so uncaring that they would call someone a cab and send them 
> home
> at their expense, then why in the world would they have to take anyone to
> the emergency room? Call an ambulance.
>
> With conditional friendship like that, I'm not sure why anyone would want 
> to
> visit these members or be a part of the chapter anyway. He could,
> incidentally refuse to get into the cab and ride home at his expense.
>
> For the record, I think it is a foolish decision myself, but I wouldn't
> refuse friendship on that basis, any more than I would refuse friendship 
> on
> the basis of whether someone was too thin or too fat, or of another 
> culture
> or any number of other characteristics. When you think about it, maybe
> actually being escorted/lead by a few blind people would teach this guy 
> that
> he could, in  fact, learn to travel himself.
>
> Finally, I would just point out that, while there are a good many sighted
> people who have a healthy perspective about blindness, there are some
> sighted people who have some ridiculous ideas. It may very well be true 
> that
> some crazy neurologist did tell him that a cane might aggravate his 
> seizure
> disorder. You just don't know.
>
> Diane Graves
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [ :blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven
> Johnson
> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 8:37 AM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane
>
> Peter,
> Although I am not an attorney, I am well-versed in the ADA, and with all 
> due
> respect, I do not believe the ADA has any application here as the concept 
> of
> direct threat, applies to Title I, covering provisions of employment; not
> Titles II or III.  It's a choice by this individual to go out into public
> without the use of an aide such as a cane, or guide, but their choice is
> sighted guide.  They are not posing a risk to anyone but themselves, but I
> can assure you that if this person was employed, the application might be
> viable.
>
> Steve
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Peter
> Donahue
> Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 6:53 AM
> To: nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List; Daniel Carr; NFBnet Blind Law Mailing
> List; NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Refusal To Use A Cane
>
> 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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