[NABS-L] Spatial Orientation Experiences

Thu Aug 1 13:36:28 UTC 2019

Hi Emmie,

Yeah, thanks for responding!

On 7/31/19, Emmanuelle Lo via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Amy,
>
> I think this is a really interesting discussion. I was also born blind,
> though I could see light and colors when I was younger. When I think about
> how to get around, I don't literally see images in my head, but I also don't
> use words to figure out where to go. I imagine myself walking, but it's from
> the first person perspective. For example, when I think about going from my
> dorm room to the cafeteria, I remember myself walking out the door, turning
> left when I find the intersecting sidewalk, walking straight uphill, then
> veering slightly right, then going downhill. So I'm basically reliving the
> memory of walking the route. This definitely doesn't happen right away,
> though, and I have to practice a lot of times before I can remember what to
> do this clearly. I've found that, since being on a college campus and
> frequently needing to get to places I haven't walked to with my O&M
> instructor, I've started to pay more and more attention to not only
> landmarks, but also changes in the paths (uphill, downhill, etc.) and LOTS
> of sound cues. The rest of my method involves getting lost and asking
> directions a bunch of times until my mental map/memory of that new route
> starts to develop.
>
> I hope this explanation made some sense. Best of luck to you. I know how
> frustrating O&M can be sometimes.
>
> Cheers!
> Emmie
>
>
>> On Jul 30, 2019, at 9:28 AM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L
>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Amy,
>> I think talking about this is very helpful. I've just sent you an email
>> off-list... Hope it worked.
>> Thanks,
>> Vejas
>>
>>> On 30 Jul 2019, at 05:16, Amy Albin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> <mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>>>
>>> I guess the reason I'm so curious is because I think my spatial issues
>>> are not simply caused by total blindness, not something experienced by
>>> everyone totally blind since birth.
>>>
>>>> On 7/30/19, Amy Albin <amyralbin at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> Thanks for your answers, Vejas. It does seem like we have similar
>>>> challenges.
>>>>
>>>> I just am really curious if people think the same way I do. So, Vejas,
>>>> is what I described the same way you think? I'm just curious. Like I
>>>> really can't do any mental imagery at all.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the answers.
>>>>
>>>> And outlets have been hard for me too.
>>>>
>>>>> On 7/29/19, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Amy,
>>>>> Yes, I had trouble with all of that.
>>>>> Some things are still rather challenging, but I've learned to live with
>>>>> it.
>>>>> Sometimes I just have to "play around" with something to get it to
>>>>> work.
>>>>> For
>>>>> example, I find plugging things into outlets can be hard. I just try
>>>>> different outlets of various angles until I get it.
>>>>> Hope this helps,
>>>>> Vejas
>>>>>> On 29 Jul 2019, at 18:19, Amy Albin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks, Vejas.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Also, out of curiosity, did you have trouble as a kid with things like
>>>>>> buttoning, tying shoes, etc?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 7/29/19, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> Hi Amy,
>>>>>>> I'm also totally blind and had always had issues with spatial
>>>>>>> orientation.
>>>>>>> I find it difficult to create mental maps. Tactile maps aren't
>>>>>>> helpful
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> me because I can't translate the page into my mental map, although if
>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>> work for you that's great.
>>>>>>> What helps me is to write a route down. For example, this week I have
>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>> intensive program on a campus I have been to, but that is in a
>>>>>>> building
>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>> haven't. My mom and I went to the campus ahead of time and did it a
>>>>>>> couple
>>>>>>> times. I took intensive notes on what to do and where to turn. This
>>>>>>> way,
>>>>>>> even though I can't necessarily remember the whole route yet, I still
>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>> the notes that I can rely on.
>>>>>>> Of course, if you get lost you can always feel free to ask for help
>>>>>>> if
>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>> can't find it, but this can really maxime your independence and boost
>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>> confidence.
>>>>>>> Hope this helps,
>>>>>>> Vejas
>>>>>>>> On 29 Jul 2019, at 15:19, Amy Albin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I know that spatial orientation has been discussed on here before,
>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>> I was just curious if anyone’s experiences are similar to mine. I’ve
>>>>>>>> been totally blind since birth.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> So the way I am, I can't make a mental map. I think in words rather
>>>>>>>> than pictures. So for instance, if you told me to imagine I'm facing
>>>>>>>> my desk, then asked where is my bedroom door. I don't actually
>>>>>>>> imagine
>>>>>>>> the desk and how I turn to get to the door, even though I've lived
>>>>>>>> here long enough I do it automatically. Instead I think, hmm. I know
>>>>>>>> the desk is on the west wall, and the door is on the north wall.
>>>>>>>> North
>>>>>>>> is to the right of west, so therefore the door is to my right.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It's like instead of just picturing my bedroom, I have to solve a
>>>>>>>> logic puzzle in my head, and I do it completely verbally. So if that
>>>>>>>> is for my tiny bedroom, you can imagine how it is for a big hotel or
>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>> college campus. And then, well, the campus zig zags. So you can't
>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>> walk north, or make sensible 90 degree turns at actual defined
>>>>>>>> corners. It's north, west, back north, now a little northwest... So
>>>>>>>> then I just follow landmarks. But when I do left and right, I don't
>>>>>>>> get the full idea because left and right change relative to the
>>>>>>>> person, so I'd much rather use cardinal directions.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I compensate by learning routes and taking notes I can study like a
>>>>>>>> cookbook recipe. Like:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 1. Leave the student center at the back exit.
>>>>>>>> 2. With the door behind me, walk forward and to the left, diagnol
>>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>>> 10
>>>>>>>> feet.
>>>>>>>> 3. Follow the benches on the left. It's one bench, a garbage can,
>>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>> another bench... And so on.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> But when I'm writing that description of a college campus, I'm not
>>>>>>>> really picturing myself walking out the door and doing that, or if I
>>>>>>>> am, the image is extremely dim. It's all the words that I wrote that
>>>>>>>> are the way I think about it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I am working with a wonderful teacher to help me learn spatial
>>>>>>>> concepts. However, if anyone has similar experiences and/or
>>>>>>>> suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Amy Albin
>>>>>>>>
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