[nfb-db] More Questions About Street Crossings

[Janice Toothman]

Hi Kerri,
I know that it difficult to think that using cards might hinder your 
independence. However, the primary question at intersections is "what 
action(s) do I need to take to keep myself self? If this means that for 
busier intersections you rely on sighted assistance via cards; then It 
is ok because you will have reached you destination unscathed. 
Alternately  you could look for different routes to your location that 
minimize your encountering busy intersections.  It may take planning and 
some thought. However, I have come to accept that as a deaf-blind (uses 
hearing aides) individual there are things that we need assistance we. I 
strive to be as independent as possible, provided either my safety or my 
guide dog's is not at risk. Although I realize that different people 
accept different levels of risk, but I choose to be cautious.

I do want to applaud all that you have learned at the Louisiana Center 
and it sounds as if you have an excellent and supportive O&M trainer. I 
hope you find the right combination that works for you. I know cards 
identify us as needing assistance but they offer us a chance to continue 
to be independent. Also, it can be an opportunity to talk to the sighted 
person about blindness/deafness or hearing loss.  I always try to 
educate the people I meet about what the blind, deaf-blind can do.
Janice
On 10/18/2012 4:59 PM, Kerri Kosten wrote:
> Hi Everyone:
>
> I have a few more questions about street crossings and getting assistance.
>
> In my last message to this list a few months ago, I said I was a
> student at the Louisiana Center for the blind and had been struggling
> with using my hearing to cross some of the busier streets.
> Well, after everything has been said and done, here is the situation.
> It looks like there are streets that I can definitely use my hearing to cross.
> However, there are streets (mainly streets that are busier) that I
> won't be able to cross independently mostly because I only have
> hearing in one ear and can not tell which street is moving.
> So, here are my questions.
> What methods do you all use for getting assistance across busier streets?
> What are my options exactly when it comes to this?
> Today, my travel instructor and I discussed ways for me to get
> assistance. Because there really aren't a lot of sighted pedestrians
> who walk the streets in Ruston, my instructor suggested using the
> cards.
> I really hate to use these cards though. It makes me sick to my
> stomach to think about holding out a card saying I have hearing loss
> and need help crossing the street.
> Is there any other way besides these cards?
> What is using them like? Are they effective and does using them give
> you independence and freedom to travel that you otherwise wouldn't
> have?
> When drivers stop to assist you, are they usually the
> Oh-let-me-help-this-poor-blind-person type or are they understanding?
> How did you deal with all this emotionally? I hate hate hate the idea
> of having to potentially use these cards.
> I guess this sort of thing is also hard for me because I have
> relatively good hearing in my left (good) ear. So, this has made me
> feel my entire life like I have pretty good hearing. Now, all of a
> sudden all these issues are coming up regarding my hearing, and
> crossing streets and it's hard for me to deal with the fact that my
> hearing really isn't that good unlike I have thought my entire life.
> Travel is very important to me. I am really beginning to like it and
> am doing extremely well at it. My street crossings are usually
> perfectly straight. I am great about staying on the sidewalk and am
> good about getting through parking lots. My mental mapping which has
> been a problem is getting better. I've gotten to do a lot of things in
> travel which has really built my confidence. For example, A few days
> ago, my instructor and I went to the Louisiana Tech campus and walked
> around. I had never been on the campus before but had to find several
> buildings and then things inside the buildings and I had to do it
> based on asking directions, following the directions, and exploring.
> It went wonderfully! I loved it and am now excited about going to
> college when I graduate from the center. I want to use my cane and
> walk to my classes. I am now also walking home from classes.
> Previously, I took the van but now I have to walk home like the rest
> of the students. I don't walk by myself, but I still have to walk, try
> to make the decision on crossing the streets, mental mapping, and
> figuring out whether I am at the street or a parking lot/driveway. I
> am saying all this because I really like travel and want to continue
> to do it when I leave the center.
> If I am going to have to get assistance on a lot of streets, will this
> hinder my being able to travel with my cane, problem solve, mental
> map, and all the things I am learning here?
> Can a person with hearing loss be a good traveler and go anywhere
> similarly to the way someone who is blind without hearing loss can and
> learns to do here?
> I want to continue to use these skills once I leave here and I guess
> now I'm unsure because it looks like I am going to have to get
> assistance crossing some streets and I am not used to this.
> So far, I have just been traveling with either my instructor, or other
> students and trying to make the best decision I can. But, I've been
> asking my instructor a lot of questions because I will be graduating
> from here in a few months.
>
> Thanks so much! I am so glad to know I am not alone in this. Like
> Kathy Miller says, I strongly believe through leadership, and
> education, we can do anything through the power of the federation.
> Even though this has been a very tough emotional adjustment for me,
> and there have been some rough times, I am so happy I chose this
> center and will be graduating from here. I am also so happy I have the
> instructor I have. He/she is a huge mentor/role model to me and it has
> been this person I have expressed many feelings and emotions with that
> I would never talk to anybody else about because they would not
> understand!
>
> Thanks!
> Kerri
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-db mailing list
> nfb-db at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-db_nfbnet.org
>