[nabs-l] Winter weather travel

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Marsha,

First, no one is "super" anything-- that goes for blind people too.
True, some may understand cardinal directions better, and some have an
inate ability to quickly navigate new surroundings, but we are human--
not cookie-cutter versions of one another.

If anyone caused you-- or anyone else-- to feel inferior because of
struggling in nasty, winter conditions, I would assume said person has
never independently traveled in such conditions.

Sighted and blind, we all lose our direction, and we all can become
disoriented.  The true test of good skills is when you refuse to give up
and keep truckin'.

We should work on using any skills and methods available to us.  We
should live as independently as we can-- and by this, I mean pursuing
our goals efficiently, living by our own terms and not what others
direct, and setting a positive example as a blind person, and as an
individual in general.  We strengthen our own lives as well as those
around us when following this path.

This does not mean, however, that you will not make mistakes or lose
focus at times.  Training at an NFB center, or other similar center,
does not ensure a life devoid of mistakes or challenges.  What it does
ensure is that you will be armored with the proper tools, methods,
attitudes and support to help you navigate challenges.

You mentioned an hearing impairment-- this, of course, adds another
dimension to your "skills" used for dealing with weather related issues
when traveling.  It does not mean it is impossible, but it certainly
presents a challenge, and one, I might add, you seem to have overcome.

I have mild neuropathy so Braille is not always efficient for me.  I
have spent the last 8 years being embarrassed by this, but I realized it
is out of my control.  Others can think what they want about the lack of
my Braille reading; I know the truth.  I know Braille, and I use it as
often as I can.

We all learn at different paces, and we all have strengths as well as
flaws.  Anyone implying that difficulty when traversing city streets
during winter,, or other unfriendly weather, is due to a lack of ability
with mobility skills, has their own issues to deal with.

These mindsets-- attitudes-- do not fill people with a desire to attend
a training center, or join the Federation.  They simply turn people off,
and give us rational, open-minded people, a bad name.

Bridgit

Message: 28
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:15:52 -0500
From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'"
	<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Winter Weather Travel
Message-ID: <C60922D15FF745BBAE2D58A416098BC6 at Cptr233>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Great question. Last year I asked this same question, as I am new to the
northeast. And the response I got was that it must be something I am
doing wrong with my mobility. Because as a NFB person, who has just the
best mobility and orientation, I should NEVER get lost, nor never be
disorientated, and it does not matter that there was 3 or 4 feet of snow
on the ground. I should always be able to find my way. *being very
sarcastic
here* and that "if" I were getting lost, maybe I should go to a training
center, where I could get better skills. My point was I was laughed at
because I was getting lost in the snow, the ice, and the high winds. I
guess it should not matter, that I have additional disabilities, like a
hearing loss, and balance issues. Its my fault, and not the snow. I am
sorry guys, it was not my fault all my landmarks were covered up. Now
some of you might say, going to a center is important here, but I do not
fall into needing to go to a center category. I am NOT a super blind
person, nor ever will be. 

Great question. But I also find it funny how so many people are so quick
to judge others who are blind, for skills or things they can't do so
well. I will be happy to see suggestions and little tips and tricks
others have to say about this. 

This was certainly not directed at anyone. Just sayin. LOL

Marsha