[nfb-talk] Fw:Implantedchip'allows blindpeople to detectobjects'

ckrugman at sbcglobal.net ckrugman at sbcglobal.net
Sat Nov 13 14:14:51 UTC 2010


I have to agree with you. While having been born blind I have been satisfied 
with my life there were many choices that I was unable to do as far as 
various career choices and other activities. Examples would be serving in 
the military or being a police officer.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Loren Wakefield" <isaiah5719 at mchsi.com>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2010 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw:Implantedchip'allows blindpeople to 
detectobjects'


>I have to wonder something.  Can any of us who either were born without 
>sight or lost it very early in life, honestly say it has had no impact on 
>what we would have done with our lives?  I'm not sure we can.  I will grant 
>you that blindness is only a characteristic.  However, sight therefore, 
>must be considered the same.  But which of us can say what impact that 
>different characteristic would have had on us.  I bet none of us can.
>
> Therefore, if the chip was a simple implant, and it had no great drain on 
> a financial area, or it would have no side effects, and one could adjust 
> to having it, what then would this different characteristic have on our 
> lives? I doubt any of us can say with 100 percent certaincy whattwe would 
> do.
>
> I sometimes wonder if sometimes it is not just being blind that makes some 
> unhappy, but more are those people happy with themselves in general. 
> Therefore, would having sight make them any happier?  None of us can 
> answer that for ourselves probably, and so maybe we should let other 
> determine whether or not it would make them a happy person to the person 
> making that decision.  I guess what I am not very successfully trying to 
> say is that blanket statements are dangerous things to make, at least in 
> general.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Judy Jones" <jtj1 at cableone.net>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 9:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw:Implantedchip'allows blindpeople to 
> detectobjects'
>
>
>> Hi, John,
>>
>> Some of the limitations you mention with blindness are certainly true. 
>> But I must say, I've never wanted to be an astronaut.  But keep in mind, 
>> that other characteristics have their limitations, just as blindness has 
>> its own. For me, being short is more debilitating than being blind, but 
>> most of society finds it easier to work around limitations of shortness 
>> than the limitations of blindness.  It goes to show that with alternative 
>> techniques when practiced in ANY area of limitation, can level the 
>> playing field.
>>
>> For me, I've been able to work at what I've wanted in my adult life, and 
>> have been very happy and fulfilled, not resigned and accepting.  I truly 
>> love what I do and have done.
>>
>> Judy
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "John Heim" <john at johnheim.net>
>> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 9:10 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw: Implantedchip'allows blindpeople to 
>> detectobjects'
>>
>>
>>> What's wrong with being blind? Well, it limits your job opportunities 
>>> for one thing. I would have liked to have been an astronaut.  You can't 
>>> participate in most organized sports. You can't drive.  You can't pilot 
>>> an airplane.  You can't appreciate Victoria's Secret commercials.
>>>
>>> Of course, I'm not saying being blind is a tragedy. But its more than a 
>>> mere inconvenience.
>>>
>>> PS: If I'm misinterpreting your words, all you have to do is explain 
>>> them. If you calmly and rationally explain your point of view, maybe 
>>> you'll convince some of the people on this list that you're right and 
>>> I'm wrong. But you're not going to accomplish anything by trashing me.
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Gloria Whipple" <fairyfoot at webband.com>
>>> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 4:34 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw: Implanted chip'allows blindpeople to 
>>> detectobjects'
>>>
>>>
>>>> What is wrong with being blind?
>>>>
>>>> Where do you get off in accusing me of saying that you shouldn't have 
>>>> sight?
>>>> If you want the chip, well,  go ahead and get it! I am not stopping you 
>>>> from
>>>> wanting to see.
>>>>
>>>> Quit twisting my words around.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Gloria Whipple
>>>>
>>>> cell number: 509-475-4993
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>>> On
>>>> Behalf Of John Heim
>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 11:06 AM
>>>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw: Implanted chip 'allows blindpeople to
>>>> detectobjects'
>>>>
>>>> Hmmm... This amazes me.  First of all, just because you seem to enjoy 
>>>> being
>>>> blind, that doesn't mean the chip is "stupid". Lots of other people 
>>>> would
>>>> prefer to be able to see.  Its like saying its "stupid" to make 
>>>> paintings of
>>>>
>>>> sunsets just because you don't like them. Well, lots of other people 
>>>> do.
>>>>
>>>> I sure hope you're not suggesting its "stupid" for a blind person to 
>>>> want a
>>>> device that would give them sight. Because that would be stupid. If you
>>>> don't want to be able to see, that's fine with me. But don't you dare 
>>>> tell
>>>> me that I shouldn't want to be able to see.
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Gloria Whipple" <fairyfoot at webband.com>
>>>> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 11:32 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw: Implanted chip 'allows blindpeople to
>>>> detectobjects'
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I think it is stupid.
>>>>>
>>>>> Being blind doesn't stop me from doing things I like to do.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Gloria Whipple
>>>>>
>>>>> cell number: 509-475-4993
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>>>> On
>>>>> Behalf Of Ray Foret Jr
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 9:15 AM
>>>>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw: Implanted chip 'allows blind people to
>>>>> detectobjects'
>>>>>
>>>>> Nope.  My brain's just fine like it is.
>>>>> Honestly, if one adjusts to blindness, why would one want such a 
>>>>> thing?
>>>>> IF
>>>>> not well adjusted, then I suppose one might want such a thing.  but, 
>>>>> what
>>>>> with the programs we have in place, one would think such a chip
>>>>> undesirable.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>>>>>
>>>>> Now A Very Proud and very happy Mac user!!!
>>>>>
>>>>> Skype Name:
>>>>> barefootedray
>>>>>
>>>>> On Nov 4, 2010, at 10:35 AM, Gloria Whipple wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Have no desires for that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Gloria Whipple
>>>>>>
>>>>>> cell number: 509-475-4993
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
>>>>>> [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>> Behalf Of Jennifer Aberdeen
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 5:30 AM
>>>>>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Fw: Implanted chip 'allows blind people to
>>>>>> detectobjects'
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank God!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> This is great news!
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> ____________________________________________________________________________
>>>>>> _______________________
>>>>>> Shop my store for the latest and greatest in beauty and wellness
>>>>>> products!
>>>>>> www.youravon.com/jaberdeen
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Get paid to read email!
>>>>>> http://www.sendearnings.com/?r=ref1487633
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>>> From: "Kenneth Chrane" <kenneth.chrane at verizon.net>
>>>>>> To: <CSDB-ALUMNI at googlegroups.com>
>>>>>> Cc: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 8:21 AM
>>>>>> Subject: [nfb-talk] Fw: Implanted chip 'allows blind people to
>>>>>> detectobjects'
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What do you think about this Article?
>>>>>>> Ken Chrane
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>>>> From: Lela Behee
>>>>>>> To: venetian-blind at googlegroups.com
>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 04, 2010 2:38 AM
>>>>>>> Subject: Implanted chip 'allows blind people to detect objects'
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Though this may not be helpful for those of us who have prosthetic 
>>>>>>> eyes
>>>>>>> and so have no retina, what a very exciting leap forward this is in
>>>>>>> technology!
>>>>>>> Praise our Lord!!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> 2 November 2010 Last updated at 20:49 ET
>>>>>>> Implanted chip 'allows blind people to detect objects'
>>>>>>> By Neil Bowdler Science reporter, BBC News
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Miikka Terho is given the task of reading letters which together
>>>>>>> misspell
>>>>>
>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>> own name
>>>>>>> A man with an inherited form of blindness has been able to identify
>>>>>>> letters and
>>>>>>> a clock face using a pioneering implant, researchers say.
>>>>>>> Miikka Terho, 46, from Finland, was fitted with an experimental chip
>>>>>>> behind his
>>>>>>> retina in Germany. Success was also reported in other patients.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The chip allows a patient to detect objects with their eyes, unlike 
>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>> rival
>>>>>>> approach that uses an external camera.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Details of the work are in the journal Proceedings of the Royal 
>>>>>>> Society
>>>>> B.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Professor Eberhart Zrenner, of Germany's University of Tuebingen, 
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> colleagues
>>>>>>> at private company Retina Implant AG initially tested their 
>>>>>>> sub-retinal
>>>>>>> chip on
>>>>>>> 11 people.
>>>>>>> Some noticed no improvement as their condition was too advanced to
>>>>> benefit
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>> the implant, but a majority were able to pick out bright objects, 
>>>>>>> Prof
>>>>>>> Zrenner
>>>>>>> told the BBC.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> However, it was only when the chip was placed further behind the 
>>>>>>> retina,
>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>> central macular area in three people, that they achieved the best
>>>>> results.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Two of these had lost their vision because of the inherited 
>>>>>>> condition
>>>>>>> retinitis
>>>>>>> pigmentosa, or RP, the other because of a related inherited 
>>>>>>> condition
>>>>>>> called
>>>>>>> choroideraemia.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> RP leads to the progressive degeneration of cells in the eye's 
>>>>>>> retina,
>>>>>>> resulting
>>>>>>> in night blindness, tunnel vision and then usually permanent 
>>>>>>> blindness.
>>>>>>> The
>>>>>>> symptoms can begin from early childhood.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The best results were achieved with Mr Terho, who was able to 
>>>>>>> recognise
>>>>>>> cutlery
>>>>>>> and a mug on a table, a clock face and discern seven different 
>>>>>>> shades of
>>>>>>> grey.
>>>>>>> He was also able to move around a room independently and approach
>>>>>>> people.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In further tests he read large letters set out before him, including 
>>>>>>> his
>>>>>>> name,
>>>>>>> which had been deliberately misspelled. He soon noticed it had been
>>>>>>> spelt
>>>>>
>>>>>>> in the
>>>>>>> same way as the Finnish racing driver Mika Hakkinnen.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Three or four days after the implantation, when everything was 
>>>>>>> healed, I
>>>>>>> was
>>>>>>> like wow, there's activity," he told the BBC from his home in 
>>>>>>> Finland.
>>>>>>> "Right after that, if my eye hit the light, then I was able to see
>>>>>>> flashes, some
>>>>>>> activity which I hadn't had.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Then day after day when we started working with it, practising, 
>>>>>>> then I
>>>>>>> started
>>>>>>> seeing better and better all the time."
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Soon Mr Terho was able to read letters by training his mind to bring 
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> component lines that comprised the letters together.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The prototype implant has now been removed, but he has been promised 
>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>> upgraded
>>>>>>> version soon. He says it can make a difference to his life.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "What I realised in those days was that it was such a great feeling 
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> focus on
>>>>>>> something," he says.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Even having a limited ability to see with the chip, it will be good 
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>> orientation, either walking somewhere or being able to see that
>>>>>>> something
>>>>>
>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>> before you even if you don't see all the tiny details of the 
>>>>>>> object."
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Electrical impulses
>>>>>>> The chip works by converting light that enters the eye into 
>>>>>>> electrical
>>>>>>> impulses
>>>>>>> which are fed into the optic nerve behind the eye.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It is externally powered and in the initial study was connected to a
>>>>> cable
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> which
>>>>>>> protruded from the skin behind the ear to connect with a battery.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The team are now testing an upgrade in which the device is all 
>>>>>>> contained
>>>>>>> beneath
>>>>>>> the skin, with power delivered though the skin via an external 
>>>>>>> device
>>>>> that
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> clips
>>>>>>> behind the ear.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> This is by no means the only approach being taken by scientists to 
>>>>>>> try
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> restore some visual ability to people with retinal dysfunction - 
>>>>>>> what's
>>>>>>> called
>>>>>>> retinal dystrophy.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A rival chip by US-based Second Sight that sits on top of the retina 
>>>>>>> has
>>>>>>> already
>>>>>>> been implanted in patients, but that technique requires the patient 
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>
>>>>>>> fitted
>>>>>>> with a camera fixed to a pair of glasses.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Charities gave the news of the latest work a cautious welcome.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> David Head, of the British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society, said: "It's
>>>>>>> really
>>>>>>> fascinating work, but it doesn't restore vision. It rather gives 
>>>>>>> people
>>>>>>> signals
>>>>>>> which help them to interpret."
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Peoria Blind Center
>>>>>>> www.peoriablindcenter.org
>>>>>>> Here is the name of the group on facebook: PeoriArea Blind People's
>>>>>>> Center.  Your friends on facebook are going to have to get on
>>>>>>> their facebook account and search for the group's name to join, or 
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> see
>>>>>
>>>>>>> what we are about.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -- 
>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>>>>>> Groups
>>>>>
>>>>>>> "venetian blind" group.
>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to 
>>>>>>> venetian-blind at googlegroups.com.
>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>>>>>>> venetian-blind+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com.
>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/venetian-blind?hl=en.
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfb-talk mailing list
>>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfb-talk mailing list
>> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfb-talk mailing list
> nfb-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-talk_nfbnet.org 





More information about the nFB-Talk mailing list