[nfbwatlk] FW: Mayo Clinic "bionic eye"

[Mary ellen]

Some of you have expressed a desire to help us in Canada.  Commenting on
this story that was aired on one of the most popular radio programs in the
country is simple and would be a very practical way to challenge stereotypes
here.  I realize the same stereotypes exist everywhere, but this story
originated in Canada and is being broadcast on many NPR stations as well as
on the web.

 

From: Mary Ellen Gabias [mailto:president at cfb.ca] 
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 8:26 PM
To: jdunnam at nfb.org
Cc: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List (nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org);
gwunder at nfb.org
Subject: Mayo Clinic "bionic eye"

 

Hi Jennifer,

 

By now you've probably fielded dozens of questions about the video released
by the Mayo Clinic concerning the implant of receptors in the retina of a
Minnesota man.  The video is about as smarmy as it gets.

 

In case you have so far been lucky enough to miss it, I'm about to ruin your
day!  

 

I sent the following message to the CFB list.  It includes a link to a very
popular Canadian radio show called "As It Happens," where the man who
received the implant and his wife were interviewed.  I believe the show is
also broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio and other NPR stations throughout
the United States.  

 

It would be helpful if people who feel moved to do so comment on the tone of
this story.  The producers of "As It Happens" need to know how blind people
feel about being portrayed like this.  Comments on stories are generally
broadcast the following day, so time is short.

 

I very much enjoy "As It Happens" on CBC radio.  Tonight my feelings were
quite different.

 

Below is a link to a story about a Minnesota man who had a "bionic eye"
implanted at the Mayo Clinic.  The "sight" he regained was rudimentary and
artificial.  Rather than seeing objects, he sees light flashes he has to
interpret in order to know what they are.  For example, he sees a vertical
bar of flashing lights, a space, and then another vertical bar of flashing
lights.  He has learned that signifies a door.  

 

The story includes phrases like "in total darkness" to describe blindness.
It also includes a very emotional clip released by the Mayo Clinic where the
man "sees" his wife.  In reality, he was able to determine, since he knew
she was the only person in the room, that a certain arrangement of flashing
lights probably signified her head and shoulders.

 

I invite you to listen to the story, including the clip available on the
site or via YouTube, and then call the CBC Talk Back line with your
thoughts.  

The contact info follows the link.

 

One 

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-thursday-edition-1.2973643
/man-sees-wife-for-first-time-in-10-years-with-bionic-eye-1.2974075

Phone - Talkback:
416-205-5687skypec2c://r/204416-205-5687

Mail:
As It Happens
Box 500 Station A
Toronto, Ontario M5W 1E6

Courier address: 
205 Wellington Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5V 3G7 

 

 

 

It would help us here if 

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