[nfb-db] More Questions About Street Crossings

[Marsha Drenth]

Carrie, 

I am very much in the same place as you. I recently recieved my third guide dog. I have choosen to use a guide dog, because I also have blanace issues. While at the guide dog school, I saw even more of the need for me to cross street safely. My O&M person, and now the guide dog school suggested that I need to use the cards. I have been visually impaired much of my life, a cane user for eons, very independent. The difference with me is that my hearing loss is progressive, and over the summer has gotten worse. To even function, I wear hearing aids and use a FM system. We have a part of us that wants to be independent, but another part that says we should be safe. Its emotionally draining and difficult to come to a reasonable answer. In my case denial is a great thing, but then when you come to being hit by a car, because you didn't hear it, denial goes no where else. I guess what I am saying, while I have sahred this all with you, your going to have to do what is best for you. If your traveling on a college campus likely there will be others around who do not mind  helping you. If there are local business around, the busy intersections, who you can ask to help you across then that is another method. Independence means you do what you need to do, in the way that fits you, while you keep safe. What independence is to another blind person is not what is not independence to us. And the same goes for a deafblind person. 

Hope all that made sense? If you have other questions, please ask away. 


Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone 
http://adventureswith2feet4paws.blogspot.com 

On Oct 18, 2012, at 4:59 PM, Kerri Kosten <kerrik2006 at gmail.com> 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
> 
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