[NABS-L] Spatial Orientation Experiences

Tue Jul 30 13:28:09 UTC 2019

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> 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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>>>>> 
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