December 2007 Issue

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From Ken Stewart, Warwick, NY:

The New York Times obituary in the October issue about "Joybubbles: The Peter Pan of Phone Hackers" raised a question for me. It mentioned that he was abused in a school for the blind and was pressured by his mother "to live up to his 172 IQ".
In those days, how was such a precise intelligence score established when there was no way, I believe, to replicate the testing conditions for a blind subject versus the general population? A timed test could have been independently read in braille for the verbal portion, but what about when vision was required for graphics presented in the performance portion of the test?
I was reminded of my own public school experience with group-administered IQ tests. In the sixth grade, with the test paper pressed up against my nose, I was able to do well, but it was slow going and I did not finish. In the 12th grade, I struggled mightily with the tiny print, but gave up after just a few questions, put down the pencil and folded my hands.
To this day, I wonder if the permanent student records at the Charles E. Gorton High School in Yonkers show that a pupil named Kenneth Stewart had a tested IQ of 11 or 12! I'd enjoy learning about other Ziegler readers' experiences with group-administered intelligence tests during their schooling.

From Franek Kozorowski, Hartelpool, England:

The October issue of the Ziegler was once again not only entertaining but also informative. The views of Stephen King on audio books were most interesting. I prefer braille, but audio books are often more easily accessible. Here in the U.K. as well as commercially available material the RNIB produces audio books in the DAISY system, which uses adapted CD's that can be played on special players. One DAISY CD can hold a whole book that would take up to 12 commercial CD's. The DAISY system is also being used in Belgium. Thank you also for including the Chuck Ayers and BlueGrind web sites. I have accessed them and found them good. Finally, are there any readers in the Ukraine--and in particular Lviv? Please contact me at franek__kozorowski@yahoo.co.uk.

From a reader in Louisiana:

Sarah Presley, the blind Peace Corps worker in October's Readers Forum, sounded like she had an interesting story to tell about having served in Morocco. I think she is the second person I know of who has done this. The first was mentioned in a recent RFB&D newsletter as having served in the Dominican Republic.
There is a book here if enough blind people have served in the Peace Corps. With my Spanish, they'd want me, but with my age and my health, they'd toss me out.
As to the article on mediums, I have never felt James Van Pragh is real. I just don't. I think Sylvia Browne may be or may think she's real. But she is horribly expensive, $700 for 20 minutes, and her son, Chris Dufranes, is a mere $400. I think it could be misconstrued as a clever racket to manipulate the New Age credulity of a public that has been conditioned since the 1960's to think of mysticism and occultism as the highest callings one can aspire to. I'd want several mediums to report on me and compare the output to see if they were, in fact, on the right track. But that costs money and the New Age ain't cheap--try going to Deepak Chopra's place in La Jolla or to see Dr. Andrew Weil. It's a money game for the upper-middle class so they don't feel too guilty about being born lucky--and no more.

From Nicola Stowe, Sydney, Australia:

My first dog was a black Labrador named Marina. I thought of her as I read the August Ziegler. When I was making the transition from special school to mainstream school, I read to her all through the Christmas holidays. I don't think she understood much, but I was glad to have her listen. At least she didn't criticize me when I stumbled over unfamiliar words, or sigh rather loudly when the book I was reading was boring!
Thinking about Marina, who was a companion dog from Guide Dogs Victoria, made me think of my other two dogs. Marina saw me leave for school each day and come home in the afternoons. She was always there and always went away on holidays with us too!
When Marina got older she became deaf. One day Dad let her out for a run and she couldn't find her way home. Mum found her and called, just at the wrong time and she was run over by a truck. I'm so glad we now have laws that say you must not let dogs loose like that!
My sister wanted very much to have another dog, but I was clear about one thing: I wanted a guide dog when I was old enough to have one, so we had to wait. For a few years there was no dog in the house.
When I was 17, Harriet, a bouncing black Lab, came into my life. She signified my independence. I had just lost considerable amounts of hearing in both my ears. I wanted so much to walk to and from school, and Harriet enabled me to complete my high-school years with safety and independence. For the first time in my life, I could walk to the local shops without my little sister having to come along too!
Now, of course, there's Jarrod. Well, he skipped school, moved from home, and made a transition with me as I learned about my new hearing aids, and now he's at university. Jarrod is the opposite of Marina. If he thinks I've been reading or studying too long, up comes a paw, right across my braille. Smart dog, he knows how to make me relax!

From Robert Herman, Port Orchard, WA:

I want to thank you for a wonderful magazine. The March issue with all the history is certainly a keepsake.
In the August issue, "A Letter Home from Camp" really tickled my funny bone. I also found the article, "Applying Research to Appliances," very interesting and thought- provoking. Much of what was discussed does not necessarily pertain to blind people. It was nice to see that Toni Eames was interviewed for the article. However, I can't help but wonder why "research" is needed. Appliances and gadgets don't necessarily have to talk to be useful to blind people. Back in the 70's, Sears sold an electric alarm clock with big raised numbers. It had a plastic covering over the face that could be snapped on and off. The easiest stove to operate that I ever owned was a 40-inch range made by General Electric. The burners were push-button. In fact, the oven was set for bake, time bake and broil via push buttons. The oven temperature also was easy to set in that the knob used to set the temperature pointed. I don't think microwave ovens necessarily have to talk to be useful. The first microwave oven I ever owned had pointed knobs. When the oven was off, the knob pointed straight up and down. It worked much like a clock.

For example, if you wanted to cook something for 15 minutes, you turned the knob till the points were sideways. Wouldn't it be cheaper to make appliances like that instead of having to design talking ones?

From Bette Minall, Charlotte, NC:

The comments in the Ziegler refresh my mind. This magazine keeps me thinking, reasoning and laughing.
The praise that was heaped on the little robovacs that freely scoop up dirt without being directed and then hop back on their base to recharge motivated us to acquire one. When the machine finally arrived, we were thrilled to watch it operate. It ran around in circles for five minutes, upended itself, twirled twice and died. The replacement works a little better.
But the whole incident made me think of my youth. We were nine in our family with at least seven bushel baskets of wet wash to hang up on clothes lines weekly. Before sending the clothes through the Kenmore, we often scrubbed extra-dirty garments on a scrub-board. But, pegging the clothes on the lines outside involved bending, stretching and shaking out pieces. Then, of course, there was the starching and ironing--no easy task.
When a family member had a birthday, there was the beating of batter with a wooden spoon, mixing and stirring.
The Hoover was a heavy machine that had to be hauled upstairs and down. We often took rugs up and beat them outside with a stick to free them from dust. We scrubbed floors on our hands and knees. Women frequently made the family's clothes using treadle machines. Then they knitted, crocheted and did other handiwork. We often pulled wagonloads of groceries home from the store. Or we pulled friends around in a wagon.
I am sure that there are many other tasks you remember that took energy and muscle. This brings to mind the call for ways of exercising by the blind. Now we have to have treadmills, gyms and personal trainers. No father or mother ever thought of needing more physical activity--they got it just by living.
As our little vac scooted around, I laughed, thinking we do not even want to vaccuum, or get up to turn on the radio or TV, or to beat batter or knit. These activities keep our muscles in shape. When did we get so soft? A social worker for the blind once told me that blind people want to be pampered and carried around on a pillow. I bristled at that remark. But now I am beginning to wonder.

From a reader in Tennessee:

I have noticed complaints from people who published their names in the Pen Pals section and then got letters asking for donations. Maybe they need to write to some of those rich television preachers and ask them for a donation. They have more money than we will ever have. The majority of blind people have to scrape and save to get what they need. If they have a job, they don't make much. The blindness community needs to realize that nothing is free.
I am also writing to say that my talking microwave played out on me over a week ago. It was still under warranty. At Wal-Mart I got a new one that had buttons and a dial that is tactile. The display is digital, which stinks. I did make some markings, and you can count clicks with the dial. If necessary, I can use my braille timer in order to keep from burning my food. It seems like anytime anything is marketed to the general public it does not stay around for long. I strongly believe that ACB, NFB and the AARP need to get together on this matter of accessible appliances.

From Kishia Mason, Aurora, CO:

As a child, I was very sheltered by my family. They did not know how to teach blind children such skills as home care, and so with good intention they did these tasks for me. Although I have become slightly more independent after attending a program for training in daily-living and job skills, there are many areas, such as self-advocacy and preparing meals, that I need to develop before I can live independently. I realize that my family will not always be able to take care of me, nor should they be expected to, as I am now an adult.

I am hoping readers will have some advice on this matter. Please note that I do not agree with the philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind and do not wish to participate in its training programs.

From Mildred Frank, Ormond Beach, FL:

The first certified Vision Aide class was held Nov. 16 at the Daytona Beach Community College in Florida. I hope anyone reading this letter will attempt to influence colleges that have certified nursing assistant programs in your community to add the Vision Aide certified course. This can start a nationwide accessibility movement for trained help from home-care agencies or for trained individuals wishing to to be employed by a blind person privately. When you are ill and in need of assistance, it is not the time for a person to have to train paid help.
Daytona Beach Community College is using for its curriculum the book, Access to Information for the Blind: the Vision Aide Manual, written by Mildred Frank. Other colleges could do the same. The registration fee of $40 includes the book, which will be presented to the registrants at the beginning of the four-hour class.
The manual can also be self-taught, and it is available from Maxi-Aids. It includes a chapter explaining how, with the addition of the tactile labeling kit, one can inexpensively label the items used daily. If an audible and raised-letter system is desired, the Voxcom could be added.
Peel-off raised letters can be adhered to the card for easy identification.
Maxi-Aids also offers a professional kit that includes the manual, the Voxcom, identifying bumps and dots, peel-off raised letters, braille labeler, and a good deal more for the instructor's use.
I believe all certified nursing assistant programs would be happy to offer the Vision Aide class for continuing education. Anyone reading this article should ask that this be done. This program is not a threat to what blind services is offering. It will only enhance the opportunity for low-vision and blind people to acquire trained assistance.

From Marvin Price, Springfield, IL:

It seems that often people refer to those who are blind as being visually impaired. I always thought that visually impaired meant that you once had vision and you lost it or else what vision you have is not as good as when you were younger. I've known of some people who are so ashamed of the fact that they are blind that they will not use the word blind. According to my way of thinking, this is foolish. I don't think anybody likes being blind, but there is no sense in being ashamed of it. Some people are so ashamed that they won't vote--for fear of a person marking their ballot the way they don't want it marked. All sighted people are not that way--any more than all blind people are. Sometimes I wonder if using the words "visually impaired" is just another way of being politically correct. In any event, I don't like those words. Of course, it's possible I don't understand the meaning of the words. If I'm not correct, please respond to this letter.

From Benton Snow, West Hartford, CT:

I would like to tell you of the death of one of our great blind poetesses, Mary Brunoli, on Sept. 22. Ziegler readers will remember her by a poem published in the magazine several months ago, entitled "Louis Braille: A Man Ahead of His Time." I know all deaths are listed in the magazine, but I thought Mary might be important enough to include more. She was a wonderful poetess, and entered some of her poems in the National Federation of the Blind poetry contest. One, "The Bus Exhaust," was a winner.

From Boris Topalovich, Zagreb, Croatia:

I came across the Ziegler about 30 years ago while I was studying English and German at the university. I've read it ever since and, all this time, I especially appreciate the editors' careful choice of articles from numerous American sources. I'm sure that many blind people all over the world benefit from reading this valuable publication.
Although I've been using a PC and surfing the Internet for almost 10 years now, I still prefer reading the braille edition of the magazine. The active use of braille is the main prerequisite for acquiring and preserving the literacy of each and every blind individual. You can't learn spelling and punctuation by mere listening and, therefore, the braille code will remain an important tool in the education and everyday life of the blind. Nobody can ignore the increasing role of various new media anymore, but braille will for sure withstand technological innovations and even improve their versatility. This is what all of us should have in mind while duly preparing for Louis Braille's 200th anniversary in 2009.

From Zuhra Asker, Alzarga Almoshrita, Jordan:

Truly and honestly the great and most compassionate philanthropist Mrs. William Ziegler has been a God-sent gift to blind and visually impaired people all over the world. A noble person devoting all her life for the well-being of the blind cannot be forgotten. May God bless her soul and may she rest in peace.

My thanks and appreciation for sending me the Matilda Ziegler Magazine, as it is really very interesting and I enjoy reading it.