[stylist] Back from vacation, finished editing a novel, and new troubles

Wed Jul 31 18:35:01 UTC 2013

Hello, April.  

Yes, the cane can be helpful with the issue you described.  I must admit I
have never completely become accustomed to the cane identifying me as blind,
though I do use it when I need to.  Perhaps that self-consciousness nevefr
totally goes away.  

I have begun using an additional device that can be helpful in being aware
of my surroundings as a totally blind person.  It might be worth considering
trying out.  I have a set of ultrasonic sunglasses called the iGlasses,
distributed by Ambutech, which help with obstacle detection at close range,
such as head high objects.  They are supposed to be used in conjunction with
a white cane or guide dog.  It takes a bit of practice to get used to the
vibration feedback you get.  

I've used them to get a better feel for layout in a room or more accurately
trail a wall.  

You still need to pay attention while using these.  I now because I had an
incident at this year's national convention even though using both cane and
glasses.  I was going from the main hotel area over to the exhibit hall and
approached the doorway to the skywalk.  I was cued in on a person's voice
guiding me to the opening but didn't quite make it and smacked into the door
frame head-on, splitting my lip.  I should have had adequate warning both
with my cane and the vibrations from the glasses, but I was so focused on
the guiding voice I didn't pick up on the door frame until it was too late.

I'm still better off having these tools than I would be if I had nothing.  

Perhaps this has been of some encouragement to you.  

Best wishes and have a good day.  

Bill Outman 

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 12:34 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Back from vacation, finished editing a novel, and new
troubles

It's an individual decision, and I know it seems so many *push* a cane, but
in my experience, it improves quality of life tremendously. Partial or
total, a tool like the cane shouldn't be viewed as a badge perpetuating a
wrong idea that we are *different* and incapable, but it's a badge proving
our independence and capability.

My hubby is a partial, and he swears by the cane, and as a total, using the
cane is my choice between sitting at home all day or living my life.
As Robert says, it's not perfect; nothing is, no one is, but it gives us the
ability to move about more freely and confidently once we learn how to use
it. As strange as it may sound, these long, slender canes really help
navigate the world safely for anyone who is legally blind.

My brother-in-law, who is also a partial, refuses to use a cane because he
doesn't want to be identified as *blind*, but instead he bumbles around in
unfamiliar territory, requires assistance when not with someone; people
don't want to provide help often because they have no clue why he needs it.
Even in familiar settings, he's growing less confident when moving about. If
he would use a cane, one, people would have a better idea, not great, but
better idea as to why he needs help from time-to-time, and two, he would
find movement need be less halting and bumbling. This is one example, and
I'm not trying to generalize or insult, but I'm attempting to demonstrate
that a cane isn't a stigma builder but a tool displaying how capable and
confident we can be when walking and moving about.

It helps me find curbs and stairs, poles, people, pretty much any object
within the radius of its arc. Yes, it doesn't catch things like branches or
objects hanging above the cane's reach, but in my experience, I come across
low-hanging objects less than objects the cane will find. And so it doesn't
find low-hanging objects, but this isn't an excuse to forgo it altogether.
At least you're covered 95% of the time. And addressing those low objects,
eventually you adjust to nonvisual travel, and often you learn to avoid
low-hanging objects especially when in a familiar place.

So sorry if preaching to the choir. I really do respect a person's choice,
but in my experience, a cane has improved people's lives whether they have
some vision or none at all. And you can always use a folding or telescoping
cane so if in a situation you wish to not use it, you can fold it right up
and place in a bag or purse, and when feeling it may be handy, boom, right
there to unfold.

Okay, off the soapbox, grin.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Robert Leslie
Newman
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 10:28 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Back from vacation, finished editing a novel,and new
troubles

April

Gee lady your zoo and kid experience --- I'm wondering if you use a white
cane? Not that it as a tool is perfect, or should I say, it is as good as
the person using it.) And I'm saying this with the intent of being sensitive
and respectful --- this blindness can at times --- or should I turn that
around and say, "limited vision at times is just not enough, and can be
dangerous to us and those around us." And so not getting into more of all
this --- question, do you use a cane? 
(We've all had to face and make that choice.)

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of April Brown
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 1:05 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] Back from vacation, finished editing a novel, and new
troubles

Hi all,

     Last week was a vacation, of sorts.  We did go a few places.  

     Then, while looking straight ahead at the zoo, and not down at the
ground, I managed to step on a waist high child who had stepped in front of
me.  An upsetting day for me.  Luckily, the child's mother pulled her away,
and spoke to her, not me.  I was in shock.

      I also had sedation dentistry to fix a multitude of teeth.  My gum are
still sore.

       Yesterday and today, I focused on the final edits for Trails 2.
I also remembered the Clive Cussler Adventure Writer's Competition for
unpublished writers in October.  I can send in Trails 1 this year!  

       I have a few emails I need to respond to, and I plan to work on them
tomorrow.  I have to finish an assignment today. 

Have a great day!

April Brown

Writing dramatic adventure novels uncovering the myths we hide behind.

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