[nfb-db] NFB-DB Hi Angelina

Wed Apr 22 17:43:59 UTC 2015

Hi Danielle.
TO be honest, just like Marsha, I didn't get serious about it until I
was having trouble locating people to ask for assistance. One morning,
while rushing to get to a train on time, I tried to use my hearing, as
there appeared to be no foot traffic around, and almost got hit by a
car. The car ran over my cane, but thankfully, not me. There were
people in the area, but I couldn't hear them. The one advantage to
doing this is that when people are passing by, you may not always hear
them, though they may see your card. Thus, you may get assistance
faster by using the card. But if you're finding that you do ok
listening for passers by, and that works for you, keep doing that.
This was also what I started doing when I had a bit more hearing, but
I started forcing myself to use the card before my hearing decreased
further, and only through continuing to use it, have aI grown a bit
more comfortable doing so. I still don't like the idea of having to
using the card, but I'd rather use a card and get out and about, than
staying home because I am not comfortable using what will work.

Scott

On 4/21/15, Danielle Burton via nfb-db <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Anjie,
> I am Danielle Burton from Kentucky. I am a student at Morehead State
> University studying Elementary and Special Education. I am totally blind
> with mild to moderate hearing loss. I wear hearing aids in both and am
> currently working my first guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the blind. I want
> to say welcome to the list and I'm glad you're seeking information. I cannot
> always cross streets independently either. I will often ask passersby for
> assistance in crossing the street when I am having trouble hearing. I have a
> street crossing card but I don't use because I am not comfortable with it.
> Although, I confess I've been in situations where I thinI should have used
> it. I do have a question for everyone myself. For those of you who do use a
> street crossing card how did you come to feel comfortable with this method?
> I was shown once how to use the card by an O and M instructor but havent
> used it since.
> Danielle
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Apr 21, 2015, at 9:35 PM, Cheri via nfb-db <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Anjie, thank you for keeping everyone apprised of your situation.  When I
>> was supposed to go to the doctors office that does the tests for vertigo
>> and balance issues, I canceled my appointment.  At that time they told me
>> it was a $400. co pay.  I didn't feel the tests would benefit me because I
>> already had balance problems
>>
>> My husband went just last year and they said he had vertigo and wanted him
>> to go for treatment at a Brooks rehab, but he didn't feel it was
>> necessary.  He told me they put him through tests that measured how much
>> fluid is in the ear and made him walk on different surfaces that had
>> measuring devices inside of them.  This is if you have dizzyness, migrains
>> and issues relating to your balance.  I myself have to use a cane that can
>> steady me and keep me from falling.  I usually don't go out any more
>> without my husband.  When I get to the store I always use the shopping
>> cart to hold onto.  I should go for the treatment, but other people who
>> went told me the treatment is only temporary and you have to keep going
>> back.  They told me at the time that if I came for the test that
>> medication might be ale to help, but a physical therapist who helped me
>> with balance treatment said it wouldn't help me.  I was told by a
>> Nuerologist that balance depended on hearing.  I don't know that he is
>> right either.  Because a lot of people have hearing loss don't have
>> balance issues.
>> All I can say is go for the testing and see what they tell you  Be sure to
>> wear tennis shoes.  I hope that you get the right kind of help.  Keep us
>> informed.  Praying for a positive outcome Anjie.  xxxx Cheri
>>
>> In a message dated 4/21/2015 8:57:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>> nfb-db at nfbnet.org writes:
>> Thank you everyone for your replies and words of advice. I met with my VR
>> counselor today and will be seeing an Otologist hopefully in the near
>> future. I have been writing differences I have noticed in my hearing since
>> I am a bit nervous about this upcoming appointment.
>> Last week I worked with a Mobility Instructor who encouraged me with being
>> okay to ask for assistance crossing streets that I am not confident about
>> due to not hearing certain types of cars. This sort of goes against what I
>> learned in training, but I want to do what it takes to stay alive and be
>> safe.
>> I will be sure to let you know what I find out at this Otology
>> appointment. What typically happens that this type of appointment?
>> Thanks lots. :)
>>
>>
>> -Anjelina
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>>> On Apr 21, 2015, at 4:38 PM, Marsha Drenth via nfb-db <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Cathy,
>>> Your so correct, the NFB needs to accept that there are alternatives. And
>>> that those alternatives are not a bad thing, nor will they defeat the
>>> independence that you have, or that the NFB promotes. So blind persons
>>> use their hearing to cross streets, great, but deafblind persons can not
>>> do the same. So we use alternative methods, either by getting help, using
>>> a street crossing sign, taking a different route, or getting a ride to a
>>> location. None of these things are bad, none of these things means a
>>> deafblind person is less independent. We use SSP's, for communication and
>>> guiding, again different from what blind persons do, but still the same
>>> in doing what we need to do.
>>> I know I am preaching to the choir here... I'll get off my soap box for
>>> now. LOL
>>>
>>>
>>> Marsha drenth
>>> email: marsha.drenth at gmail.com
>>> Sent with my IPhone
>>> Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone.
>>> As such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate
>>> errors. Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary.
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Apr 21, 2015, at 11:03 AM, Cathy Miller via nfb-db
>>>> <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Angelina:  Welcome!  I am very glad to have you here among us.  I am
>>>> Cathy Miller, from Louisiana.  Coping with hearing loss has been a
>>>> traumatic experience for me, but more than that, it is a journey.
>>>> Congratulations on the courage to reach out to others like yourself.
>>>> I'm so glad you found us!
>>>>
>>>> I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age 18.  I got my first
>>>> pair of hearing aids in my mid-20s, but all they did was make the
>>>> muffled speech louder, so they were        not the answer for me.
>>>> Several years later I received a pair of digital hearing aids which
>>>> helped a lot more, except when there was background noise.  It was a few
>>>> years later that I walked in front of a car while crossing the street.
>>>> I was not hit, but the driver was extremely angry with me and yelled and
>>>> called me some horrible names.  I knew it was time to do something
>>>> different and stopped crossing the street alone.  This story has a happy
>>>> ending, as I received cochlear implants, which make life bearable and
>>>> often wonderful.  Although I still cannot understand speech in noisy
>>>> environments, I design my lifestyle so that hearing in a noisy
>>>> environment is no longer a necessity.  It was difficult to realize that
>>>> I needed accommodations, and that no one was going to give them to me.
>>>> I had to learn what I needed and demand to have them.  If someone has
>>>> something to tell me, they do it under circumstances that are
>>>> accommodating.  After all, I drilled two holes in my head in order to
>>>> hear you; the least you can do is speak up.
>>>>
>>>> So, back to crossing the street.  One of the things that folks in the
>>>> deaf-blind division of the NFB are promoting is the use of Support
>>>> Service Providers  (SSPs).  These are persons trained to help us to
>>>> perform our daily routines without putting ourselves in harm's way.
>>>> With training from O&M specialists such as those found at NFB training
>>>>      centers, many deaf-blind folks still cross the street
>>>> independently; but if that is not what you believe is right for you,
>>>> then you may have an alternative.  orientation and Mobility specialists
>>>> are great, and they push us beyond our comfort zones, helping us to
>>>> retain our hard won independence.  But ultimately the decision is yours,
>>>> and although I encourage you to learn to cross the street if you feeel
>>>> safe, if it's not for you, you are the only one who can say no.  Just
>>>> know that we deserve alternatives.  Go to the Helen Keller National
>>>> Center (HKNC) website and find the regional representative who serves
>>>> your state.  Talk with that person about whether the training offered at
>>>> HKNC is right for you.  Scott Davert is one of the national
>>>> representatives, and we are extremely fortunate to have him among us.
>>>> Remember that the NFB deaf-blind division exists for folks like you who
>>>> want to share their experiences and develop best practices among peers
>>>> who live in the trenches.  As you walk this journey, please consider
>>>> sharing your successes and your challenges with us.  I hope that others
>>>> will return the favor.  You will find lifetime friends among us.  We
>>>> will meet in orlando in July and hope that you can join us there.
>>>> Please tell us more about yourself.
>>>>
>>>> Cathy Miller
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>
>>>>>> On Apr 18, 2015, at 7:00 AM, nfb-db-request at nfbnet.org wrote:
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>>>>> Today's Topics:
>>>>>  1. Newby to the list (Anjelina)
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>> Message: 1
>>>>> Date: Fri, 17 Apr 2015 17:58:52 -0400
>>>>> From: Anjelina <anjelinac at att.net>
>>>>> To: "nfb-db at nfbnet.org" <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Subject: [nfb-db] Newby to the list
>>>>> Message-ID: <D251A95F-67E1-4416-8F4D-32655EA8E2E0 at att.net>
>>>>> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=us-ascii
>>>>> Good day list,
>>>>> My name is Anjelina and I am new to the list. I am interested in
>>>>> learning more about deaf-blindness. Over the years I have noticed some
>>>>> hearing loss in my right ear which I have been able to compensate for.
>>>>> A few weeks ago I had a near run-in with a car while crossing a busy
>>>>> street which really startled me since I didn't hear the car. If you all
>>>>> don't mind, can you tell me a bit about your hearing loss and how you
>>>>> have coped with it?
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>> -Anjelina
>>>>> Sent from my iPad
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