[NABS-L] Spatial Orientation Experiences

Thu Aug 1 02:45:29 UTC 2019

Hi Amy,

I think this is a really interesting discussion. I was also born blind, though I could see light and colors when I was younger. When I think about how to get around, I don't literally see images in my head, but I also don't use words to figure out where to go. I imagine myself walking, but it's from the first person perspective. For example, when I think about going from my dorm room to the cafeteria, I remember myself walking out the door, turning left when I find the intersecting sidewalk, walking straight uphill, then veering slightly right, then going downhill. So I'm basically reliving the memory of walking the route. This definitely doesn't happen right away, though, and I have to practice a lot of times before I can remember what to do this clearly. I've found that, since being on a college campus and frequently needing to get to places I haven't walked to with my O&M instructor, I've started to pay more and more attention to not only landmarks, but also changes in the paths (uphill, downhill, etc.) and LOTS of sound cues. The rest of my method involves getting lost and asking directions a bunch of times until my mental map/memory of that new route starts to develop. 

I hope this explanation made some sense. Best of luck to you. I know how frustrating O&M can be sometimes.

Cheers!
Emmie

> On Jul 30, 2019, at 9:28 AM, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Amy,
> I think talking about this is very helpful. I've just sent you an email off-list... Hope it worked.
> Thanks,
> Vejas 
> 
>> On 30 Jul 2019, at 05:16, Amy Albin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org <mailto:nabs-l at nfbnet.org>> wrote:
>> 
>> I guess the reason I'm so curious is because I think my spatial issues
>> are not simply caused by total blindness, not something experienced by
>> everyone totally blind since birth.
>> 
>>> On 7/30/19, Amy Albin <amyralbin at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Thanks for your answers, Vejas. It does seem like we have similar
>>> challenges.
>>> 
>>> I just am really curious if people think the same way I do. So, Vejas,
>>> is what I described the same way you think? I'm just curious. Like I
>>> really can't do any mental imagery at all.
>>> 
>>> Thanks for the answers.
>>> 
>>> And outlets have been hard for me too.
>>> 
>>>> On 7/29/19, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> Hi Amy,
>>>> Yes, I had trouble with all of that.
>>>> Some things are still rather challenging, but I've learned to live with
>>>> it.
>>>> Sometimes I just have to "play around" with something to get it to work.
>>>> For
>>>> example, I find plugging things into outlets can be hard. I just try
>>>> different outlets of various angles until I get it.
>>>> Hope this helps,
>>>> Vejas
>>>>> On 29 Jul 2019, at 18:19, Amy Albin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks, Vejas.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Also, out of curiosity, did you have trouble as a kid with things like
>>>>> buttoning, tying shoes, etc?
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On 7/29/19, Vejas Vasiliauskas via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> Hi Amy,
>>>>>> I'm also totally blind and had always had issues with spatial
>>>>>> orientation.
>>>>>> I find it difficult to create mental maps. Tactile maps aren't helpful
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> me because I can't translate the page into my mental map, although if
>>>>>> they
>>>>>> work for you that's great.
>>>>>> What helps me is to write a route down. For example, this week I have
>>>>>> an
>>>>>> intensive program on a campus I have been to, but that is in a building
>>>>>> I
>>>>>> haven't. My mom and I went to the campus ahead of time and did it a
>>>>>> couple
>>>>>> times. I took intensive notes on what to do and where to turn. This
>>>>>> way,
>>>>>> even though I can't necessarily remember the whole route yet, I still
>>>>>> have
>>>>>> the notes that I can rely on.
>>>>>> Of course, if you get lost you can always feel free to ask for help if
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> can't find it, but this can really maxime your independence and boost
>>>>>> your
>>>>>> confidence.
>>>>>> Hope this helps,
>>>>>> Vejas
>>>>>>> On 29 Jul 2019, at 15:19, Amy Albin via NABS-L <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Hi All,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I know that spatial orientation has been discussed on here before, but
>>>>>>> I was just curious if anyone’s experiences are similar to mine. I’ve
>>>>>>> been totally blind since birth.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> So the way I am, I can't make a mental map. I think in words rather
>>>>>>> than pictures. So for instance, if you told me to imagine I'm facing
>>>>>>> my desk, then asked where is my bedroom door. I don't actually imagine
>>>>>>> the desk and how I turn to get to the door, even though I've lived
>>>>>>> here long enough I do it automatically. Instead I think, hmm. I know
>>>>>>> the desk is on the west wall, and the door is on the north wall. North
>>>>>>> is to the right of west, so therefore the door is to my right.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> It's like instead of just picturing my bedroom, I have to solve a
>>>>>>> logic puzzle in my head, and I do it completely verbally. So if that
>>>>>>> is for my tiny bedroom, you can imagine how it is for a big hotel or a
>>>>>>> college campus. And then, well, the campus zig zags. So you can't just
>>>>>>> walk north, or make sensible 90 degree turns at actual defined
>>>>>>> corners. It's north, west, back north, now a little northwest... So
>>>>>>> then I just follow landmarks. But when I do left and right, I don't
>>>>>>> get the full idea because left and right change relative to the
>>>>>>> person, so I'd much rather use cardinal directions.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I compensate by learning routes and taking notes I can study like a
>>>>>>> cookbook recipe. Like:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> 1. Leave the student center at the back exit.
>>>>>>> 2. With the door behind me, walk forward and to the left, diagnol
>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>> 10
>>>>>>> feet.
>>>>>>> 3. Follow the benches on the left. It's one bench, a garbage can, then
>>>>>>> another bench... And so on.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> But when I'm writing that description of a college campus, I'm not
>>>>>>> really picturing myself walking out the door and doing that, or if I
>>>>>>> am, the image is extremely dim. It's all the words that I wrote that
>>>>>>> are the way I think about it.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I am working with a wonderful teacher to help me learn spatial
>>>>>>> concepts. However, if anyone has similar experiences and/or
>>>>>>> suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Thanks in advance!
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Best,
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Amy Albin
>>>>>>> 
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