[nabs-l] Independent Travel At Crowded MajorCollegeSporting Events

Fri Nov 12 07:41:07 UTC 2010

Kerri,

I've just been chatting with my mother, who's a mad sports fan.

She gave me a couple of tips you might keep in mind.  Firstly, if you
arrive at the game as early as you're planning to, a large percentage
of the drunks are going to be in the parking lot, not inside the
stadium.  The people that are going to be in the stadium are going to
be large groups.  For instance, the delegations from each university
along with their marching bands will be setting up.  This means that
you can explore without too much fear.

Secondly, at the ends of the coridoors that divide the sections, there
are usually ushers who will ask you if you know where you're going/if
you need help.  This means that they will be reliable people to ask
about what section you're in etc. and if you get lost, they'll most
probably be quite glad to guide you as that's there job.  The thing it
might be helpful to remember is that if they routinely have people
like this stationed there, sighted people get lost, too; this makes it
much less embarrassing to ask for help, as there'll be loads of
sighted people doing it.

Whether or not you go and the things you do once you get there are
completely your choice; these are just things to keep in mind.
Courtney

On 11/12/10, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi All again:
>
> A couple of things I forgot to mention.
>
> Kimberly...I'm not doing this to learn a route...I don't do route
> travel...I do structured discovery travel...and the reason I am doing
> this is not to learn a route at all but to gain confidence interacting
> with public, drunks, get practice using my cane, and to show myself I
> can do something I want to and to give myself a challenge.
>
> Oh, and as for the drunk guy who called me a "kid"...I may have
> misunderstood his intent or maybe he wasn't as harsh as I may have
> thought...but I guess what scares me so much is that I haven't been
> exposed to public/interacting with strangers much...when I traveled in
> the past (like up until around a year ago) I was always guided
> everywhere, and was always of course with someone so never really had
> to interact.
>
> I know it would be easy to read these messages and tell me to just
> have someone who works at the stadium help me and that would make
> things easy but at the same time I need to give myself the confidence
> and need to get used to interacting with the public...
>
> I really want to do this...just what should I do if I get around the
> wrong/mean/harsh drunk?
>
> I know I'll have my whistle which should scare them away but what
> else? I'll have my iphone but it may be too loud to hear it...
>
> I don't want to over-analyze this so much that I completely scare
> myself out of it but I also want to be as safe as possible...I don't
> want to get hurt, raped, kidnapped, or followed home/stalked...
>
> Am I over-thinking this and scaring myself out of it?
>
> Should I be fine since I'm inside the stadium?
>
> Oh I really want to do this so much...I think it will help me gain
> tons of confidence and show me that I can do things like this...but
> the fear sucks lol!
>
> Kerri
>
> On 11/12/10, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi All!
>>
>> Okay, there may be a problem with my little plan lol...I don't know...
>>
>> I go to a bar every week for karaoke. The bar gets very loud, crowded,
>> and obviously people drink...I do not but others do.
>>
>> I am ashamed to admit this but until recently I had the bartenders or
>> a waitress help me to the restroom door because I was afraid of the
>> drunks.
>>
>> I know a bar is not a stadium but tonight I really tried to simulate
>> the experience I may have at the stadium...instead of having anyone
>> follow me to make sure I made it or having someone who works there
>> help me when I went the wrong way I jumped up, grabbed my cane and
>> tried to just head for the bathroom myself...trying to blend into the
>> crowd and interacting with the people to see what kind of reaction I
>> would get and to try to sort of see how the drunks would be like.
>>
>> The experience wasn't the best. I couldn't take two or three steps
>> without someone coming over, and grabbing my hand to try to help me.
>>
>> I tried to be cheerful and say "I'm good" but it's sort of tricky to
>> get to the bathroom in this bar and so often I was gong the wrong way.
>> If the people would've just left me alone and let me explore I
>> could've found my way...but I could barely take three steps without
>> someone trying to help.
>>
>> Also, once I got really turned around and was at the front door. I
>> didn't realize I was at the door however until someone opened it for
>> me thinking I was trying to go outside. I quickly backed away and said
>> "no I don't want to go outside."
>>
>> Another time I had gotten up and was trying to weave my way through
>> the people and a guy asked in a sort of harsh voice "where you going
>> kid?" Quickly I said "the bathroom" he sort of directed me and luckily
>> I was in the right hallway and knew where to go and so very quickly
>> walked away...
>>
>> But, I don't know how this whole finding my seat on my own thing will
>> go...I am thinking every time I take a step someone will be wanting to
>> help. Drunks like that one that said "where you going kid" kind of
>> scare me...I do look like a "kid" as I'm so tiny I look like I'm about
>> 15...
>>
>> First, how do you tell sighted people to leave you alone and let you
>> explore? I tried to say in a very cheerful voice "I'm good" but that
>> must've sounded very strange to the person when I was usually going
>> the wrong way. How do you tell them without being mean to leave you
>> alone? I don't want to push everyone away...but at the same time I
>> need room to explore if I am going to find my section on my own...
>>
>> Also I did notice that the loud noise got me turned around a couple of
>> times like when I was at the front door and about to go outside which
>> was nowhere near the bathroom.
>>
>> What do I do about any harsh/mean drunks who see me as a "kid" who
>> want to take advantage of me? The bar I was at is very small in
>> comparison to the stadium and there will be many many many more
>> people...many drunk, some not...
>>
>> How is the best way to handle the not so friendly drunks and the fact
>> that I can't take two or three steps without people rushing to help.
>>
>> Like I said...I don't want to push people away and end up getting
>> myself so lost/turned around that when I need help there is noone
>> around...but if I am going to do this I will need to explore...
>>
>> I am just saying...I don't know if this will go as smoothly as I
>> thought...it doesn't seem as if I'll really have the room to just
>> wander around and explore...
>>
>> And the types of people like that guy who said "where ya going kid"
>> kind of scare me...what do I do if I get into a sticky situation?
>>
>> I know this bar is no real simulation to a stadium but it gave me the
>> experience of navigating with my cane in a crowd of people that were
>> drinking and having to interact with people I didn't know...
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Kerri
>>
>> On 11/11/10, Kimberly thurman <kimthurman at insightbb.com> wrote:
>>> Sounds like you have it pretty well planned out.  You're obviously going
>>> to
>>> have to ask for assistance of one sort or another, as you won't know
>>> which
>>> way to go to get to your section without asking anybody.  Stadiums have
>>> such
>>> wide concourses and hallways with ramps, stairs, concessions stands, big
>>> open areas, etc. that I would take any assistance offered me  Taking
>>> someone's arm would probably be a wise idea.  If you were going to have
>>> the
>>> same seat for several games each season like folks with season tickets,
>>> it
>>> might be worth it to learn the exact route to your seat, but if you are
>>> not
>>> going to sit there next time you go to a football game, there's not much
>>> use
>>> in memorizing the route.
>>> On Nov 11, 2010, at 8:34 PM, Kerri Kosten wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Kimberly and all:
>>>>
>>>> Oh my goodness...I have tons of them...I am a huge huge WVU fan and
>>>> write about the team for a local radio station's website...believe me
>>>> I wouldn't wear anything but WVU stuff...
>>>>
>>>> Kimberly since you've been to the stadium before...as long as I'm not
>>>> wandering the parking lots and am inside the stadium...do you think
>>>> it'd be safe/okay for me to try to use my cane and find my own seat?
>>>>
>>>> Can you forsee any huge problems I may not be thinking of?
>>>>
>>>> I'll go early around 10:30...I'll have my Iphone and a whistle...I'll
>>>> get dropped off by the entrance...I'll make sure it's the right
>>>> entrance for the tickets I have which are on the 50 yard line...I'll
>>>> make sure to have two ways to get home...anything I'm not thinking of
>>>> or need to be cautious/make sure of?
>>>>
>>>> If I go in at 10:30 most of the drunks will still be tailgating and if
>>>> it's close to game time like around say 11:30/40ish and I haven't
>>>> found my seat yet I'll just take an arm...
>>>>
>>>> Sound good to everyone? Anything else I may be forgetting/need to be
>>>> cautious of/not thinking of?
>>>>
>>>> Kerri
>>>>
>>>> On 11/11/10, Kimberly thurman <kimthurman at insightbb.com> wrote:
>>>>> Kerry, on a lighter note, just don't wear red and black on Saturday.
>>>>> They're Cincinnati's colors, as well as the University of Louisville's.
>>>>> If
>>>>> you have a University of West Virginia shirt, that would be a good
>>>>> choice.
>>>>> Fans like to help fellow fans.  *smile*
>>>>> On Nov 11, 2010, at 8:07 PM, Albert Yoo wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> get some one to help you to your seat. Are you going to ask some one
>>>>>> to
>>>>>> get
>>>>>> your food and go through the line with you? What is your email
>>>>>> address?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 5:54 PM, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Al:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> They are playing the Cincinnati Bearcats...a team that isn't that
>>>>>>> good
>>>>>>> since they lost Brian Kelly to Notre Dame but Butch Jones is making
>>>>>>> his return...should be interesting.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Albert...just curious...what's your opinion...do you go to many
>>>>>>> sporting events...should I get someone from the stadium to help me or
>>>>>>> use my cane to find my seat?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Just for curiosity's sake...trying to get as many different opinions
>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> can!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Kerri
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 11/11/10, Albert Yoo <albert.k.yoo at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> Enjoy the game Carrie! Who are they playing this weekend?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 4:52 PM, Kimberly thurman
>>>>>>>> <kimthurman at insightbb.com>wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Kerry, okay!  That's great.  I'm breathing a sigh of relief.  I was
>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>> concerned about you girl.  I guess I had a picture of little old
>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>> wandering that crazy parking lot all aone and it made me frightened
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> you.
>>>>>>>>> Odds are you would probably have even survived that, but why?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I think you have it figured out, and which ever method you choose,
>>>>>>>>> enjoy
>>>>>>>>> yourself.  You're definitely a brave girl.
>>>>>>>>> On Nov 11, 2010, at 3:00 PM, Kerri Kosten wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi Kimberly and All:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Okay let me clear a few things up.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Kimberly I appreciate your concern so very much.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I am not going to go wandering through the parking lots; I want to
>>>>>>>>>> go
>>>>>>>>>> to this game for the game and do not plan to tailgate either
>>>>>>>>>> before
>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>> after the game. So, I will be nowhere near the parking lots...they
>>>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>>>> a perfect recipe to be raped...you have a bunch of rowdy crazy
>>>>>>>>>> drunks
>>>>>>>>>> all in one area...I'm not gonna get lost in that mess.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I dont want to go to this game alone to prove I am independent or
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> practice my self-defense/screaming techniques with a drunk...I
>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> do this alone to prove that I can in fact go to crowded events and
>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>> not need to wait around for feel-sorry-for-the-blind-girl sighted
>>>>>>>>>> people.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I have to disagree Kimberly about the couch burning...we only do
>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>> for big major wins and I do not agree with that at all...it makes
>>>>>>>>>> our
>>>>>>>>>> school and the state of West Virginia look very bad.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I will have my cell phone and a whistle; I have also made
>>>>>>>>>> arrangements
>>>>>>>>>> to be dropped off and picked up at the stadium entrance and have
>>>>>>>>>> two
>>>>>>>>>> arrangements to get home. Like I said I do not plan to wander
>>>>>>>>>> around
>>>>>>>>>> the parking lot at all; I want to go to the game to enjoy the
>>>>>>>>>> game.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I know I will need assistance to my seat...I don't plan to just do
>>>>>>>>>> this entire thing without asking a single person for help...what I
>>>>>>>>>> haven't decided is whether I will call the stadium ahead and have
>>>>>>>>>> someone who works at the stadium escort me to my seat (similarly
>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>> asking for assistance at airports) or whether I will use my cane
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> ask random people along the way "excuse me what section is this?"
>>>>>>>>>> "Section 102" Okay...I need to keep going; I need section 145...
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Since this is my first game I am leaning toward just having
>>>>>>>>>> someone
>>>>>>>>>> who works at the stadium help me...but the adventurous side of me
>>>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>>>> loves loves loves structured discovery cane travel wants to do
>>>>>>>>>> otherwise...
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone again!
>>>>>>>>>> Kerri
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On 11/11/10, Ashley  Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>> Joe,
>>>>>>>>>>> That's right.  That's why I haven't gone to huge events like the
>>>>>>>>>>> one
>>>>>>>>> Kerry
>>>>>>>>>>> spoke of alone.  Instead I started small by going to school plays
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> concerts and out to eat.  Later I may attempt large things with
>>>>>>>>> thousands of
>>>>>>>>>>> people.  I think you need to build up confidence.  Otherwise as
>>>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>> say
>>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>>>>> might have a rotten time and get so frustrated in the process.
>>>>>>>>>>> So
>>>>>>> its
>>>>>>>>> fine
>>>>>>>>>>> to build up to independence with no guides.  Maybe a few times
>>>>>>>>>>> use
>>>>>>>>>>> assistance.  Then you'll be familiar with the layout and next
>>>>>>>>>>> time
>>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>> alone.
>>>>>>>>>>> Someday I'd like to attend a concert or play with thousands such
>>>>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>> at
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> Verizon center but I'm going to work up to that goal.  Even when
>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>> do
>>>>>>>>> go, I
>>>>>>>>>>> might go with a blind friend and we can figure out things
>>>>>>>>>>> together.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Ashley
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>>>>
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