[Nfbf-l] Attitudes toward Blindness - Argentine student invents 'smart shoe'

Wed Nov 19 18:44:29 UTC 2014

I think no matter if we were born blind or have lost our site we have looked up and the Myron people who have made a difference and I think this is what the national Federation of the blind does.  So, thank you to all those who are positive role models in changing what it means to be blind and living the life they want I believe being introduced to the national Federation of the blind has helped me overcome struggles and has showed positive role models to look up towards. I think if we are able to out reach to young individuals or even older individuals who are losing their site we can make impacts at the beginning which can help them in the long run. Darlene,
No, I have only been blind since 2007 and before that I had 20/20 vision.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 19, 2014, at 1:12 PM, "Darlene Laibl-Crowe" <dlaiblcrowe at att.net> wrote:
> 
> Miranda, have you been blind since you were a child?  I found that those who
> have had their vision lost since childhood are able to do what you do.  I
> admire you for that.  But those who have lived the life of vision and then
> having to depend on the cane are not so free to embrace it.   
> 
> I know when I began training with my white cane at the age of 228, I only
> used it when I needed it...to find objects in unfamiliar territory and when
> I was alone.  Otherwise I used sighted guides as often as possible so I
> couldn't use the cane.  I have met many others just like me who have done
> the same thing and I still know several who are losing their vision as
> adults and do not use it.  They prefer to blunder through wherever they go
> and sometimes getting hurt.  For me it is a necessity as I don't like
> getting hurt...I cringe at pain!  (smile)
> 
> So it is my opinion and I could be wrong that those who grew up blind are
> more inclined to embracing the white cane than those who lose later in life
> especially as adults.  Another factor for me, too, in using a cane...since I
> also have hearing issues, it can be hard using the cane because I can't use
> my hearing to determine traffic flow and etc.  
> 
> Keep on being proud and a great example for us, Miranda!  You Rock!
> 
> (smile)
> Darlene
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbf-l [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Miranda Kilby
> via Nfbf-l
> Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 1:05 PM
> To: Alan Dicey; NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Nfbf-l] Attitudes toward Blindness - Argentine student invents
> 'smart shoe'
> 
> and I live the life I want. Greetings,
> Thank you for sharing this article with the Federation. I find this article
> to be opinion based and not always true. I, carry my cane proudly wherever I
> may go. Therefore, the shoes would not be for me.. My cane not only
> represents Diamme blind but also is an educational tool for those who may or
> may not know what it is and I am a young adult. I show not only my friends,
> family, and my future family that I, a blind person can do anything I want
> if I put my mind to it,
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On Nov 19, 2014, at 2:47 AM, Alan Dicey via Nfbf-l <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Dear Friends,
>> This concept of technical developments in this article is  not new, but a
> few sentences in it disturbed me.
>> And that is why I post this article.
>> I know personally, the attitudes toward the Blind in South America are a
> lot different from those in the States and Canada.
>> See the article and you will see what I mean.
>> With Best Regards,
>> God Bless,
>> Alan
>> Plantation, Florida
>> - -
>> Argentine student invents 'smart shoe' to replace cane for the blind 
>> Argentine student invents 'smart shoe' to replace cane for the blind 
>> Published time: November 16, 2014 Edited time: November 16, 2014 An 
>> Argentine student has invented shoes with ultrasound sensors which allow
> people with visual impairments to walk without a cane. The shoes vibrate
> when the wearer approaches an object.
>> The new shoes for blind people, dubbed 'Duspavoni,' were developed by Juan
> Manuel Bustamante, a student at Industrial College #4, and presented at the
> National Science Fair in Buenos Aires on Friday. He says he worked on the
> project for six months.
>> "I wish Duspavoni, my creation, could get to revolutionize the lives of
> people with sight problems, partial or total visual impairment," he told
> Ruptly.
>> The shoes have three ultrasound sensors placed inside the sole - in the
> frontal, lateral, and back areas. The sensors emit ultrasound waves which
> are reflected by surrounding objects and come back to the sensor. The shoe
> vibrates depending on the distance and position of the objects.
>> "The closer the object is, the more the device vibrates," Bustamante said.
> "If the object is ahead, the tip of the shoe vibrates. If it is on the side,
> the sole vibrates, and if it is behind, the heel vibrates."
>> The device can detect different kinds of materials, people, and animals
> within a 25-inch (63.5 centimeter) radius of the wearer. It is equipped with
> rechargeable batteries which can be charged by a USB cable connected to a
> computer, or even by a mobile phone charger. The time needed for a total
> charge is about five hours. The owner can then use the shoes for three or
> four days.
>> The inventor said the idea for Duspavoni came after a conversation with a
> friend who was losing her vision. He created the shoes to replace the
> traditional white cane with something more discreet, which may create less
> of a social stigma.
>> "She told me young blind people do not like the cane because they feel it
> stigmatizes them," Bustamente told EFE. "The shoes have been conceived for
> young blind people, between 10 and 25 years old, as they are most refusing
> to use the white cane."
>> 
>> http://rt.com/news/206027-shoes-blind-ultrasound-cane/
>> 
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