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

Wed Nov 27 16:22:09 UTC 2013

On 11/27/13, Mariya Vasileva <mkvnfb94 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Ashley.
> I am in the same boat as you are. i went to the Louisiana Center last
> summer to do some STEP training, and because of my family being so
> uneducated about blindness, I to have not been able to travel on my
> own and do all the things that I was taught, however, I will talk to
> my mentor and a few federationists to help solve this problem. I do
> want to tell you that route travel is a good way to problem solve and
> work through situations I agree. I believe that if you get some people
> from this wonderful organization to assist you and help you get
> through this time you will get back the independence and self
> confidence that you have gained from the center, and if you come in
> contact with the right people, like Dr. maurer, then we as a whole
> organization will get you to where you need to be, I promise you.
> Sincerely,
> Mariya
> P.S. If you need anymore assistance or words of wisdom, you can contact me
> back.
>
> On 11/26/13, Andrew <andrewjedg at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi I myself  can identify with you a bit. I live in the country with
>> no transit or busses or anything like that I  live out in the middle
>> of nowhere.  I actually have to count on my family to take me places
>> or somebody to drive me places to take me into town and things. I
>> find that very frusterating as it keeps me from doing all I really
>> would want to do it is not like I can go down a street to a coffee
>> shop.  I don't have streets here it is just long gravel roads.
>>
>>  I  can't really be independent while living in the country.  You
>> people in the states are very  lucky to have the big training centers
>> Canada does not have that at all.  I been considering moving into a
>> big city for these reasons brought out by people on this list.  and so
>> I can have a life of my own and things.
>>
>> On 11/26/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> justin,
>>> I like to do the same thing. It combines route travel with exploration.
>>> Once
>>> I know the environment, I'll go a little off course to see what is
>>> there.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: justin williams
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 8:03 PM
>>> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...
>>>
>>> Once I know an area, I do like to wander around and look at the side
>>> trails
>>> just in case I get entangled or a little off the path so that I know
>>> what
>>> happened and how to correct myself if this occurs.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley
>>> Bramlett
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 7:47 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...
>>>
>>> Kerri,
>>> I think Cindy had some excellent points.
>>> I wanted to add a little more and respond to these questions.
>>>
>>> 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?
>>>
>>>
>>> My response:
>>> I have not been to a nfb center and don't plan to but I might try an out
>>> of
>>> state center.
>>> However, as I have spatial challenges, I anticipate always needing
>>> guidance
>>> in mapping out routes I'll do over and over, no matter how much training
>>> I
>>> have. To some extent, I think I will be a route traveler for sake of my
>>> sanity and time. Discovering new ways takes more time and I feel that
>>> going
>>> unfamiliar places outdoors is scary. I mean, you have the whole world
>>> out
>>> there. Sure I'd go out and stroll around if I had the time and knew it
>>> was
>>> a
>>> fairly safe area. But if I need to get to say, a doctor's office, I'm
>>> not
>>> going around to figure out what is around it. I'd probably follow a
>>> route
>>> that someone showed me or gave me directions to. For me, I believe route
>>> travel would be the fastest and less nerve racking thing.
>>>
>>> Sighted people use routes too. They often take the same route to go to
>>> work
>>> or the same store all the time.
>>> So, learning a route to work or a grocery store is fine, nothing wrong
>>> with
>>> that.
>>> I would use a reliable friend or family member, or if that doesn't work
>>> I'd
>>> ask a mobility instructor.
>>> Many instructors  will let you discover more and problem solve. If you
>>> intend to do a route over and over, having a mobility instructor assist
>>> in
>>> orientation is helpful. Do you know how you learn best? If writing down
>>> directions helps you remember it, then either you or the instructor can
>>> do
>>> that. If you learn well with maps, your O&M instructor can make a map of
>>> the
>>> area.
>>>
>>> I have used the O&M service from our vr agency, dept for the blind and
>>> vision impaired or DBVI.
>>> All instructors but one were fine.
>>> I mentioned my O&M growing up last email; my instruction growing up was
>>> real
>>> route based and I was not encouraged to problem solve and did not
>>> analyze
>>> intersections.
>>> However, as an adult, I have had more success. The worst part of O&M was
>>> the
>>> frequency. I received it a few times per month in my community; they
>>> have
>>> too many to serve to teach you more consistently.
>>> Instruction was more helpful. I feel that instructors were more open to
>>> teaching me what I needed and how I learned best. The downside was one
>>> of
>>> them told me to rely too much on my vision.
>>> I was shown techniques to ride our WMATA subway system called the metro.
>>> The
>>> instructor explained the layouts of different types of stations and gave
>>> me
>>> a braille guide of stations which shows which line stations are on.
>>> She told me to listen for our stop and if I could not hear it, I'd ask
>>> someone which stop we were at. She told me that most times color lines
>>> alternated, but to be sure of the color, I'd have to ask someone.
>>> She had me interact with the public and fellow riders just as I would do
>>> alone. I had to take responsibility for finding the right train and
>>> getting
>>> off it and out of the station. I also learned more about crossing
>>> streets
>>> including pressing buttons to activate those pedestrian walk signs. She
>>> also
>>> oriented me to college. There is more, but those are highlights. I was
>>> also
>>> shown how to use the metro to go to a few internships.
>>> If you want more info on this, I can explain.
>>>
>>> So to answer your questions, yes and yes. I have done mostly routes, and
>>> I
>>> have used agency O&M instruction.
>>> I don't think all problems disappear after training. If O&M is a hard
>>> skill
>>> for you, it will always be that way. But you can still travel, just may
>>> need
>>> you use other ways.
>>>
>>> I also wanted to add something about sighted people. You said sighted
>>> people
>>> don't have to be shown anything. I believe that is inaccurate. Sighted
>>> people use guidance too. Some have better spatial memories than others
>>> just
>>> as blind people do.
>>> Its just not obvious because sighted people see maps which represent
>>> miles
>>> of space on paper. They also see signs.
>>> Sighted people might have a friend show them where building y or x is.
>>> They might go out and find it  if they know the general area and then
>>> read
>>> numbers to locate a specific address.
>>> My mom has gone out to find places before she has appointments so she
>>> knows
>>> where it is in order to find it quickly with time pressure.
>>> Sighted people also ask for directions a lot in new environments.
>>> So while they may not have as much hands on guidance as us, they
>>> certainly
>>> use some guidance.
>>> Its via maps or verbal directions or computer directions. Also sighted
>>> and
>>> blind people can use GPS which is almost like someone showing you where
>>> building y is because GPS gives you turn by turn directions.
>>> Its not like all sighted people know where everything is and just take
>>> off
>>> and go. No, not at the beginning at least. They have to use tools to
>>> help
>>> them out too.
>>>
>>> How is the public transit in your area? II f its bad, I hope you can
>>> move
>>> soon to be more independent.
>>> Meanwhile remember other ways to travel and don't be so hard on
>>> yourself.
>>> You could use paratransit if that exists. You could use taxis. You might
>>> be
>>> able to get a driver from a community club to drop you off somewhere
>>> like
>>> a
>>> strip mall while you shop. Check with the lions clubs; then take your
>>> driver
>>> out to lunch or something as payment.
>>>
>>> Could you take a taxi to that dollar store you mentioned? I know cabs
>>> are
>>> expensive, but once in a while you might be able to afford it.
>>> It sounds like you feel trapped and I know how that can e. When I was at
>>> college, I used the campus shuttle to get to the metro station and from
>>> there I went to the mall or nearby restaurants. When I came home, I
>>> missed
>>> the freedom I had; I cannot walk to a bus stop as it’s a dangerous busy
>>> road
>>> with no sidewalks. I can use paratransit and taxis though.
>>> I think you'll be fine. Just try and get out as much as possible so you
>>> can
>>> practice your skills.
>>> HTH,
>>> Ashley
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Kerri Kosten
>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 3:26 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] Need Some Encouragement/Some Travel Questions...
>>>
>>> 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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>>
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>