[nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...

Wed Nov 27 07:08:50 UTC 2013

It's alll in getting done what you need to get done, at a minal risk, 
githt? In the end, it's the ends that ought count, not the means?
for today, Car
408-209-3239

t 11:03 PM 11/26/2013, Anjelina Cruz wrote:
>Good morning Carly,
>I like your can-do attitude! Even though your methods of seeking out
>information may be seen as unconventional for some, it works for you
>and you are still able to accomplish what you want! This is how I
>define independence.
>
>On 11/27/13, Carly Mihalakis <carlymih at comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Evening, Kerri,
> >
> >          Your post did speak to me for a reason that, I became brain
> > damaged 10 years ago before attending a training center here in the
> > San Francisco Bay Area. A feature of brain damage, for me, has been
> > unreliable street crossings and short term memory problems so, I
> > cannot retrace my steps or know how many city blocks I have traveled.
> > For me, this wasn't cutting it for too long. My partner happens to be
> > a budding teacher of the visually impaired and, for us, It just isn't
> > practical trying to get our schedules to jive, so I have figured out
> > traveling "Turkey" style, after learning from some friends who worked
> > in Turkey about getting people on the street to help you travel.. So,
> > like when I need to cross streets or figure out where I currently am,
> > or simple features of the rout, I just grab someone happening to be
> > in the vicinity. I grab their shoulder, asking them the information I
> > am after. Now, I realize people may get up in arms, but for me, it
> > works like a charm.
> > And, you hear blinks, all the time say, part of what makes them a
> > strategic traveler is, knowing when to recruit ol' Sighty's help...
> > for today, Car
> > 408=-209-3239
> >
> > PM 11/26/2013, Anjelina wrote:
> >>Good evening Kerri and all,
> >>Kerri, I don't think you have to apologize for your post. Your
> >>frustrations with travel is blindness related, and as other have
> >>said you are not the only one who struggles. I will not repeat what
> >>has already been so eloquently stated, however I would just add
> >>every situation is highly individualized. There is not a cookie
> >>cutter method of success for all NFB center graduates. What wors
> >>best for you is ok. If you use a mobility instructor for
> >>orientation, then go for it!
> >>I can only empathize with how your hearing loss impacts your travel,
> >>so I will not say I understand. You have made it past training. You
> >>have goals, and by posting here you are doing something about your
> >>frustrations. Remember you are not alone and training is not a magic
> >>pill to the bla moments of blindness or hearing loss.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>-Anjelina
> >>Sent from my iPad
> >>
> >> > On Nov 26, 2013, at 3:26 PM, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > Hi Everyone:
> >> >
> >> > I hope it's okay for me to post this. I have debated for a long time
> >> > whether to post about this but I feel like everyone else is allowed to
> >> > post on topics such as family issues and other things so I figured I'd
> >> > post my frustrations.
> >> > I really just want some encouragement, and to know whether I am the
> >> > only one going through this.
> >> > I am totally blind, and in addition to my blindness I have severe
> >> > hearing loss. I can hear sounds and can communicate with people and
> >> > such, but I can't tell which direction sounds are coming from.
> >> > Basically, my hearing really affects my travel.
> >> > Last year, I graduated from the Louisiana Center for The Blind. I
> >> > really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed cane travel class. I enjoy
> >> > using my cane and traveling.
> >> > Anyway, because of my hearing loss, and the fact I am not that great
> >> > at mental mapping, I did a lot of routes in training. My instructor
> >> > told me when I returned home if someone (anyone) showed me where to go
> >> > around my area I'd be okay.
> >> > To make a long story short, I returned home and things didn't happen
> >> > as they were supposed to.
> >> > I guess I just feel frustrated because I don't feel like I get to use
> >> > my cane that much. Sure, I can go to the mall, or a game or somewhere
> >> > indoors and to get directions from people but where I am not getting
> >> > much practice is outdoors like walking from city block to block and
> >> > crossing streets.
> >> > Another thing that frustrates me is when I do finally get someone to
> >> > show me something I love it because I get to really use my cane and
> >> > then I have to wait a week or more to be able to go out there again.
> >> > For example, there is a Dollar General store located across the street
> >> > from me. The problem is first though that this particular street is
> >> > extremely busy. I am unable to cross busy streets or lighted
> >> > intersections without assistance because of my hearing loss. I
> >> > arranged for someone to help me cross the street. However, I forgot
> >> > one thing. This dollar general has a huge parking lot that is open and
> >> > has no landmarks and I can't hear the echos from the building.
> >> > I had a friend on Saturday walk with me to the dollar General just to
> >> > try to map it out and see how big the parking lot was. With this
> >> > friend, I was able to use my braille compass, and work on mental
> >> > mapping and such just like I was taught in training. Well, my friend
> >> > can't help me again for another week or so.
> >> > I just wish I got to work on the things such as using my braille
> >> > compass, and mental mapping, and really using my cane like I was in
> >> > training more often. It really brings me down when I get to do this
> >> > type of thing for a day, and then I can't do it for another week or
> >> > more.
> >> > I guess I just wondered am I the only one in this situation?
> >> > I know on this list nobody else likely has hearing loss but is there
> >> > anyone else who doesn't get to go out and travel much?
> >> > Have any of you been to training and then afterwords not really been
> >> > able to do as much afterwords?
> >> > Is anybody else on this list also a route traveler or who has to stick
> >> > primarily to someone showing them where something is first?
> >> > Does anyone on here have to use a local mobility instructor to show
> >> > them where things are? If so, what was your experience?
> >> > As I said, I hope it's okay for me to post this. I usually try not to
> >> > post rants, or negative threads, but I just feel
> >> > frustrated/discouraged sometimes because I feel like I am the only
> >> > one. It seems like everyone else who graduates from NFB centers are
> >> > able to get right out there and travel completely independently
> >> > without having to depend on anyone to show them anything. Everyone
> >> > around here is sighted, and so drives, and I guess sometimes I just
> >> > feel like I am the only one who struggles with travel. I feel like
> >> > with sighted people they don't have to be shown anything, or are
> >> > limited in where they can drive. It seems like everyone else who
> >> > graduates from NFB centers are able to just use their hearing to
> >> > travel everywhere. I guess sometimes I just feel
> >> > frustrated/discouraged because I feel like I am the only one and so
> >> > wondered if others were also in a similar situation where you struggle
> >> > with travel or don't get to get out there and use your cane that much.
> >> > Thanks, and this is the only negative post from me I promise!,
> >> > Kerri
> >> >
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>
>--
>Anjelina
>
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