[nfb-db] More Travel Questions...

[Janice Toothman]

Hi Kerri,
I don't mean to ignore your questions about cane travel with my inquiry 
about the cards.

I want to applaud your persistence despite your fears of traveling 
alone. I share those concerns. I have found that my guide dog has helped 
with my confidence because she can alert me to traffic sounds that I can 
not hear. However, I have to use my judgment about what to do with her 
information and what my limited hearing, mental mapping and knowledge of 
the environment.

None of us can predict the behavior of others. But if we assume that 
most people want to be helpful (even if they don't know how to be), 
then, we need to take a proactive position to alert others to our needs. 
This is one way in which we can retain our independence and ensure that 
we have control in the situation. However, it is hard to acknowledge our 
own vulnerabilities to stranger due to a combination of hearing and 
vision loss. I think that as a deaf-blind person there might always be a 
certain level of fear when traveling alone. This is healthy because it 
ensures that we don't take undue risks and makes us always vigilant to 
keep up our skills whether it is with a cane or guide dog.
Janice
On 4/12/2013 6:32 AM, Janice Toothman wrote:
> Hi Kerri,
> How do you know how big to make the letters/sign and where do you get 
> it laminated? Do you mind explaining the process? I would appreciate 
> it? I know its probably simple, but there seems to be so many 
> variables to consider.
> Janice
> On 4/11/2013 11:39 PM, Kerri Kosten wrote:
>> Hi Everyone:
>>
>> Scott and others, do you ever worry about the wrong type of person
>> helping you across the street such as a thief or something like that?
>> I had to use the card several times in Ruston, because Scott I can't
>> tell traffic patterns either, and it went fine, but it still scares me
>> a little bit because you never know who is going to come up to you.
>> What if someone tries to follow you?
>> Thanks for all the feedback, and yes Scott I want to definitely keep
>> up my travel skills and keep pushing myself. I am extremely proud of
>> my accomplishments, believe me. I want to see other deafblind people
>> go to LCB and learn to travel the way I did. I am very passionate
>> about travel.
>> I just get scared when by myself in a relatively unfamiliar area.
>> But, all of your feedback is really encouraging me!
>> Janice, you can make your own card. That is what I did at LCB. We
>> wrote it down on two pieces of paper, and then laminated it.
>> Kerri
>>
>> On 4/11/13, Danielle Burton <danielleburton94 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> HHi, Janice. You can just make them yourself. Orather have sighted
>>> assistance with making them if you need to.
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Apr 11, 2013, at 8:29 PM, Janice Toothman 
>>> <janice.toothman at verizon.net>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Scott,
>>>> Where to you get your street crossing cards?
>>>> Janice
>>>> On 4/11/2013 8:21 PM, Scott Davert wrote:
>>>>> Hi Keri.
>>>>> I have said this before, but I think it's worth repeating. Getting
>>>>> assistance to cross the street doesn't mean you are giving up your
>>>>> independence.
>>>>> That said, you should be proud of your accomplishments and 1keep 
>>>>> pushing
>>>>> to make yourself an even better traveler. It's the only way you'll 
>>>>> keep
>>>>> improving. When I'm in unfamiliar areas, I typically use my street
>>>>> crossing card in case I cannot correctly identify a certain type of
>>>>> intersection. There me indeed be times when I could safely cross 
>>>>> based on
>>>>> my own judgements, but at the same time, it only takes one bad 
>>>>> call to
>>>>> ruin things. This is why I always use a card when in a setting I'm 
>>>>> unsure
>>>>> of. I do not think this takes away from my independence at all, 
>>>>> since my
>>>>> ability to hear traffic patterns doesn't exist, and while I am 
>>>>> getting
>>>>> help, I'm deciding when to do it and also where I want to go. 
>>>>> Anyway, for
>>>>> whatever that's worth, those are my thoughts.
>>>>>
>>>>> Take care,
>>>>> Scott
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>> On Apr 11, 2013, at 9:39 AM, Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank you I wasn't trying to be nosy. Year I lost my hhearing on my
>>>>>> right side completely and I was so disoriented that I had a hard 
>>>>>> time
>>>>>> getting around my apartment so I know a little about how it 
>>>>>> feels. Don't
>>>>>> give up on yourself. I've tried going out with just one aide but it
>>>>>> drives me crazy. Last
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sheila Leigland
>>>>>>
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