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

Jeanette Fortin jeanette at fortin-home.com
Sat Nov 6 02:46:24 UTC 2010


judy, being short for sure has it's limitations, most folks think you are 
younger than you are and the world is built for taller folks, i only find 
that being blind is a bit of a nuidsance, but i have done pretty much what 
i;'d like except for currently, employment is the issue i am dealing with 
now, but that is due to a lack of training, jeanette
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Judy Jones" <jtj1 at cableone.net>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, November 05, 2010 8:26 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
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
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