[nagdu] I think this point is importent forcross-posting:Re:[nabs-l] Blind man sues Wienerschnitzel overrun-in with tree

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Julie,

Agreed!  I'm suddenly remembering that I'm afraid to go out in the winter
with a head cold unless I'm wearing a really thick woolly hat for padding,
because it ends up I do nothing but bang my poor stuffed up head on things
because I don't those slight changes in acoustics.

Which is not to say I'm not perfectly capable of the occasional head banging
without having to have a cold to do it.  But when I have a cold, I can
hardly bear to *think* of going for a walk around the block without using
the guide dog.  /smile/

Anyway, it will be interesting to get more facts for discussion of how to
handle such situations as individuals...  There's a time to realize you ran
into a tree because you didn't know it was there.  Then there are times you
run into a tree when you had a reasonable expectation that it wouldn't be
where it is...  /smile/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 5:15 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National hasew.ssociation of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] I think this point is importent
forcross-posting:Re:[nabs-l] Blind man sues Wienerschnitzel overrun-in with
tree

Cheryl,

No, not exactly.  A cane when used properly does nothing in the way of 
detecting or avoiding overhead obstacles.  There are really only two ways to

avoid overhead obstacles as a cane user: notice the change in auditory 
feedback or smack into them and remember to go around the next time.  The 
article does state that the man has some hearing loss.

I am not going to express an opinion of whether or not the man should pursue

the lawsuit or what impact that might have on the future of blind people.

I think we need to be very careful about harshly judging others.    How can 
we possibly know what is right for this man?  If he was injured and unable 
to work, are his kids going to be hungry because of this accident?  Would it

make a difference if he had asked for the branch to be trimmed previously 
and his requests were ignored?  Would it matter if there are laws about 
sidewalks being clear for *all* pedestrians?  What if the man doesn't have 
insurance and the only way to get medical treatment paid for is through his 
legal action?

Again, I am pleading for empathy and understanding before judgment and 
criticism.

Julie



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