Readers' Forum

From Jake Joehl, Evanston, IL:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:05:00 +0000

I completely agree with the people who have written about assistive technology's being so expensive in this country. I can't help wondering why these companies feel the need to drive up prices so much. It's true that the companies need to make a profit, but a lot of us are living on limited incomes. Then there is the added problem of vocational rehab agencies that are unwilling to cover the costs associated with purchasing technology, unless a "consumer" has a full-time job.

I wonder if any Ziegler readers have heard of Klango, a company in Poland that has developed a free software package that contains a vast array of features. These include a multimedia player that is very versatile, games, a built-in clock and alarm, plus a whole host of social-networking and educational features. To learn more about this software and download it, visit klango.net.

I totally agree with the readers who have said that the American Council of the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind need to work together in harmony. I often wonder why these two groups can't just grow up and stop acting so immature. If they were to reunite, more positive things would happen. I've often heard it said that those of us with visual impairments make up the largest group of people with disabilities. If other disability groups are working together and have done so for a long time, why not the blindness "community?"

Finally, I'd like to briefly describe a situation that took place just this weekend. My family and I went to Arizona for a wedding. On our way to the security line at Chicago's busy O'Hare International Airport, an employee who saw my cane as well as those of my sister and brother offered to take us through the employee line. So, we followed her through and thanked her. While this may seem like a small thing, this woman was doing us a huge favor. Those who have been to O'Hare, especially on a Friday evening, know just how busy it can get.

Favors such as this are often under-appreciated by the blindness community, if they are appreciated at all. As a matter of fact, this type of thing is often frowned upon by certain unnamed people in the blindness community. I can't help but wonder why this is. Don't those people have any sense of gratitude? I don't let pride and dignity get in the way of my feelings toward others, and it is very perplexing to me that some do let their pride and dignity overpower them.

From Dave Hutchins, Kansas City, MO:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:04:00 +0000

I just wanted to comment on what Sue South said in the June edition about accepting help in airports. I truly agree with her. Also in the June issue, I want to reply to Tom Lykins about people being too proud for airport assistance. It's too bad there are still lots of people who think they are superblind, that they can do anything and everything and brag about it. The technology we have today is great, and I wish they had as much when I was in high school. But there are still lots of blind people who would rather have someone read to them in a restaurant than to take advantage of
the latest technology.

I realize the items are expensive, but the National Federation of the Blind has a technology loan that folks may apply for, and I believe it still is at 3 percent interest. Let's all try to swallow our pride. Things will go a lot smoother with less negativity.

From Ed Fedush, Garfield, NJ:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:03:00 +0000

I spent a good part of the morning reading my braille copy of June's Ziegler. I bought the Louis Braille coin in the enclosed capsule and found it worth the money. I'm still a bit confused about the different types, but not being a coin collector and wanting to be able to "finger" the coin and have others do so, that capsule was my best investment.

I also read, with interest, the first article on gene therapy. Dr. Bennet and I spoke years ago because I wanted to be considered for her research as a guinea pig. However, I had no current eye report, was not about to pay for one out of my pocket, and did not want to have my insurance possibly jeopardized by paying for a "qualified condition." The University of Pennsylvania was unwilling or unable to stake me to it, so I gave up--perhaps wisely so, since I'm not sure of the real derivation of my optic atrophy. My age doesn't help now, either. Dr. Bennet was a very charming woman who was pleasant, cordial and kind. Some of her quotes from the article show me her talented articulation.

From James Elekes, Surfside Beach, SC:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:01:00 +0000

I am responding to Lucia Marett's June 2009 Readers Forum letter. For purposes of full disclosure, my political ideology is and has been since registering to vote in 1976 "conservative." During my professional career, my success can be attributed to conservative values culminating as a Presidential Appointee to the U.S. Access Board (2003-2007).

Ms. Marett's comment, "If we all united, we could affect legislation that could help us to find employment...." suggests she prefers to have the government or its representative identify appropriate career tracks for blind individuals seeking employment. These mechanisms already exist. The jobs don't pay well and provide little chance for the individuals' professional or personal growth. She continues, "This legislation would foster "real acceptance and real integration." In other words, leaving personal responsibility to government.

Her assessment that her employment history is not her own creation raises a major question. If the responsibility to succeed is not yours, then whose responsibility is it?

Despite my ideological disagreements with Ms. Marett, I wholeheartedly agree with her statement, "Performing adequately is not sufficient." No one who desires to do the minimum and just get by can hope to be successful.

To legislate hiring practices--forcing an employer to hire an individual because of visual disability--begs one employment fundamental: What does the individual bring to the organization, enhancing the cost-effectiveness, efficiency or bottom line of the entity?

Ms. Marett should realize employment is not about the individual, it's all about what the individual contributes to the organization's ability to excel.

We are not entitled to a "support system," as Ms. Marett would have us believe. We are however, entitled to engage the public/private sectors, academia and other non- governmental organizations to determine their needs, develop a skills set, and network with others in the general public and disability community to determine what are the most effective attributes we should develop to be successful in our daily lives. Then, market those skills with focus and determination.

Let's not forget that the initial ADA (1990) and ADA Amendments (2008) were signed into law by conservative Presidents. Are there conservative shortcomings? Of course, just as those that exist with liberals or libertarians. Rather than point a finger of guilt, realize that 1. mechanisms exist for our success, 2. these means won't be layed before us, and 3. we are responsible to establish and achieve outcomes. These realities are no different for other minorities or the general public.

[Editor's Note: Read the complete career narrative of James Elekes at esight.org/view.cfm?x=2010.]

From Victor Schmidt, Silver Spring, MD:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 15:00:00 +0000

As I write this, I am angry about what is happening to my country. I did not vote for Obama, and I want him to fail. Yes, I said it! I want him to fail. If he and his thugs get their way, there will be no more talk radio--remember the war of words aimed at Rush Limbaugh. If Obama's ideas are so good, then he should debate Limbaugh and stop hiding behind his friends in the liberal media. I like my talk shows, and no one is going to tell me who I can and cannot listen to.

Because Obama is bent on taxing the rich, that means I have less money--because the rich are hiding their money. I get dividend checks (and invest in stocks). They help me pay my bills. Now I may not be able to buy a box of Girl Scout cookies. (I enjoyed that March article in the Ziegler.)

Obama is bent on opening the borders and letting in anybody. If you come here legally and learn to speak English--welcome. The rest of you who sneak in and won't learn English should get out of my country. If I went to another country, I would be expected to speak their language. A word to you businesses--especially here in the D.C. area. When I ask for help, I expect to be helped by someone who can speak English.

So, I am going to do my best to stop Obama and his gang of thugs from turning this country into a socialist police state. You who voted for this jerk are going to be sorry.

From Michael Garrett, Missouri City, TX:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:59:00 +0000

I felt compelled to respond to the letter from "a reader from Brooklyn, NY" in the May Readers Forum. I believe that just the tone of several of the words used in this letter cried out for clarity. The reader from Brooklyn used such words as change, communist, racism and criticism, to name a few.

I believe that Mr. Calhoun's letter was taken totally out of context. Why is it that when someone encourages support of a particular person or issue (in this case it's our President), they are labeled communist? Is that really fair? Just as this reader doesn't want to be dubbed a racist for criticizing Mr. Obama's actions, is it fair to label someone who might support his policies as a communist?

One thing we do know is that racism still exists in the United States. Cloaked in covert words and deeds, it pervades our country in the political arena, the corporate world, and in professional and social settings. It will probably always be present, despite the fact that we elected a man of African-American heritage to hold the highest office in our land.

The word change, in the context in which Mr. Obama uses it, is only vague to those who choose not to open their minds. It appears clear to me that what President Obama was calling for, and still proposes, is that our nation can only go forward if each of us becomes an agent of change. If we as citizens continue to live life the same way and not support our neighbor; if we continue to allow political corruption; if we continue to allow corporate malfeasance; if we continue to stand idly by and watch the moral and social decay of our society without becoming a part of the change, then shame on us. It's each individual's responsibility to affect change whether we agree
with the President or any other politician.

I thought it rather ironic that our reader from Brooklyn decided to remain anonymous, but chose to name names when hurling criticisms. Criticize President Obama-- he's all man; he can take it. Hold him accountable and I will do the same. I don't necessarily agree with all of his proposals either. But criticism without concrete solutions is just noise and tastes like sour grapes.

The United States is a great nation. But we are a nation in crisis. Our way of life is being threatened. Now is not the time for division; it should be a time of pulling together. Speaking only for myself, whether in society at large or in the blindness arena, I am charged every day with the question, what am I doing to make my community better?

From Ken Stuckey, Stockholm, Sweden:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:57:00 +0000

May 14th was the day that a great many blind people and others in Sweden were awaiting. That day Sweden issued its first braille stamp. It is a project that I and my wife Gunilla have been working on for more than two years. It is very hard to get the Swedish Post to issue a special stamp. Each year they have more than 200 requests for new issues, and only about 35 are issued.

Our quest started in 2007 when we heard about the celebration of Louis Braille's birth, Jan. 4, 2009. On coming back from a trip to New York, we sent a request to the Swedish Post asking for a braille stamp. A copy of this request was sent to all agencies for and of the blind in Sweden. They in turn endorsed this request. We were surprised and delighted to hear some months later that this request had been approved. The surprise was that Sweden does not, except for Nobel Prize winners, issue for non-Swedes (except Elvis, another story). The stamp depicts a screen print of two fingers reading braille. The Swedish Post has made what are like solid
dots. They did not emboss the braille on the thin stamp paper, but the braille is still readable even after you lick the stamps.

Sometimes you get different translations in the English edition of the Swedish Post bulletin, "Stamp News." Their translation of the Swedish on the stamp is "Through the eyes of others." Gunilla, who is Swedish and speaks excellent English, translates it as "Seeing with other eyes." There is also the word "Punktskrift," which is what braille is called in Sweden.

[Editor's Note: Ken Stuckey's website, blindianastamps.com, lists more than 30 countries that have issued stamps honoring Louis Braille.]

From K. Bird, via the Ziegler's blog:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:57:00 +0000

In April's Readers Forum, Karen Gearreald wrote a beautiful tribute to Louis Braille's ingenious system. I hope that her experience of learning braille at an early age will soon be the norm rather than the exception for children who are visually impaired.

From Kelley Sprout, Asheville, NC:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:56:00 +0000

I want to thank people for giving me advice concerning the remarks I made in the March Readers Forum. I am facing a serious problem, and I need advice. I might be going totally blind in both eyes due to glaucoma. My problem is how to act like I am totally blind. No matter how hard I try to act totally blind, I just cannot get people to understand that I am used to what little bit of sight I have. I do not know what to do. Asheville does not have very good services, but that will improve. My email address is kb3lr@pmpmail.com.

From Bob Hassler, Cleveland, OH:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:55:00 +0000

We need to educate the sighted world by showing them that we can do things if we put our minds and skills to the test. When I was in the fifth and the sixth grades, I had a teacher who told me that, when I got to be 16, I would be put in an institution because I wasn't capable of learning anything. To me, that's the wrong attitude, and if you tell someone that a number of times, they will believe it. It took a long time to convince myself that I could learn. So, don't give up, because God will help you achieve whatever you want. Do the best you can. You will achieve a goal.

From Lynda Lambert, Ellwood City, PA:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:54:00 +0000

I lost my sight due to ischemic optic neuropathy in October 2007. Before this, I was a tenured professor of fine arts and humanities. I completed a course at the School for Blind and Vision Rehabilitation in Homestead, PA, in 2008. After living there and working with the many different rehab teachers, I can now do many things I would have never dreamed I could do before this training. At the beginning of 2009, I
started to learn to use the computer again. The world is opening up for me because of this wonderful training, and I can see myself pursuing the rich life I had before. Once again I will be able to be in touch with others and to pursue my writing and other creative goals. I won't be painting or printmaking any longer, but instead I am learning how to do pottery. I want to pursue that as well as to continue making jewelry, as I had been doing for a number of years. I find that the artistic spirit never leaves when sight loss occurs. We just have to find other ways to express the creativity we have. For me, that will mean switching to different art media.

From Britt Lincoln, Cincinnati, OH:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:53:00 +0000

I would like to warn Ziegler readers about the misleading tactics of many who advertise on TV and radio, offering "free" informational CDs and other products. But the goods turn out not to be free because there are shipping charges that must be payed with a credit card. These charges are often exorbitant. So, if you hear an ad for a free CD on a topic that interests you, don't be fooled! There's no such thing as a free lunch.

From Samuel Paul, Uyo, Nigeria:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Timothy La Croix wrote about internet scams involving "people from Nigeria." I want to inform Ziegler readers that, on numerous occasions, dishonest people have used the name of my country, even though they are not from here. I can assure you that there are scammers in every country on Earth. There will be people who use the internet to defraud others without regard for a person's physical condition. Do not give out any personal information.

From Diane Ficorelli, New Port Richey, FL:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Former Ziegler editor Michael Mellor did a wonderful job in writing "Making a Point," which was in the January issue. The article was most interesting and enjoyable to read. I'm glad that Michael is still very active after his few years of retirement.

From Robert Herman, Port Orchard, WA:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:16:00 +0000

I was somewhat dismayed that at least three readers took the April article about Girl Scout cookies being banned seriously. To me and to others who read the article it was obvious that it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. As a matter of fact, I would like to see more humorous articles like that one in the magazine. I think if we all take time to smile for a while and not take ourselves and life quite so seriously that we might discover that the world is a more pleasant place.

Despite May Davis's comments, I am glad the editor is putting his salutation and closing on one line in his letter. Yes, Ms. Davis, the saving of a few lines is important enough to change the format. I once read a braille book produced in Britain that had nothing capitalized. Believe me, it did not take away from my pleasure in reading the book. Speaking of saving space: Since the braille we read and write is supposed to be standard English braille, why don't we use all of their contractions? For example, dot five j is Jesus, dot five c is Christ, gl is glory, gr is grace, etc. Lutheran Blind Mission uses these contractions, and I recently learned from a reliable source that they are actually used in British braille. The more space we can save, the better!

Finally, regarding Bill Meineke's frustration over not being able to see the number on his TV screen, try thinking of it this way: The companies who employ such practices obviously don't want our business, and if they don't want our business, then why should we want to give it to them?

From Cynthia Groopman, Long Island City, NY:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:16:00 +0000

In this country, Memorial Day is for sales and picnics, and seldom are prayers said or graves visited. The entire spirit of Memorial Day is gone ever since it became a Monday. The original Decoration Day holiday May 30 began with the Civil War, and on that day, graves were decorated to show respect and homage. What happened to that feeling of caring?

Grief is an individual process, just as is recovering from a physical illness. Some people recover quicker and others have a slower pace. When my mom passed away in 2003, I felt sad; however, my grieving process was helped by writing poems. I put down onto paper how I felt. Also, caring for and helping others during one's personal grief eases the burden.

My concept of mothers is the same, regardless of whether the mother is Jewish. Italian mothers are emotional, and so are Russian and Polish mothers and all others. Stereotyping is really not necessary.

As for acceptance into the sighted world, it is true that it is difficult. As a totally blind person, I find that people either think I am extraordinary with magical powers or they ignore me or act patronizing. I wonder why there is no in-between treatment. When with a sighted person, I am often treated as though I am invisible. People in wheelchairs are treated better and respected more than blind people. I also find that blind people do not give emotional support or caring to one another. If we all unite, then the sighted people in this world would respect us more. Do not get me wrong. Sighted people are not all that bad, but it is difficult for me to join a clique or make friends outside of religious services. We blind people must make a concerted effort to improve our image in the sighted world. I do not like the idea that many organizations nowadays only cater to the low-vision people and forget about the needs of the totally blind. Also, I find that people who use sighted guides, as I do, are treated unkindly by some guide-dog users, and many times the guide-dog users think they are superior. They are sometimes bossy as well. Some blind people do not like dogs and find that they are too busy to take care of a dog.

From Tonya Szwast, Newport, MI:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:16:00 +0000

In May's Readers Forum, Mira Wilson asked about talking remote controls. These are available from Speak to Me (800-248-9965), Independent Living Aids (800-537-2118), and Maxi-Aids (800-522-6294). Using verbal commands, these remotes can change channels and turn on or off the TV.

From Barbara Mattson, Spartanburg, SC:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:15:00 +0000

Thanks for running a piece on Women's History Month in the March Ziegler. I was surprised that women exceeded men in education and management/professional jobs in the time period surveyed. However, it may be a factor that created those stats. When I went to college, it was during the Vietnam war and many men went to school to avoid the war. As for management/professional positions, maybe women are gaining more of these through affirmative action, or the factor of education. Go girls!

From Jay Williams, Marietta, GA:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:15:00 +0000

For me, the most inspiring of the blind people who are making significant marks on our cultural scene is music archivist Ward Marston. He has garnered awards from the record industry and has been applauded by music scholars and researchers of early recordings for his meticulous efforts in the preservation of truly endangered recordings from the earliest years of sound recording. For those of us who do extensive work with sound-editing software, his accomplishments are the stuff of ultimate joy! Last November he released a three-CD compilation of cylinder recordings from the 1890s through 1924 called "The Dawn of Recording: the Cylinders of Julius Block." They include recordings of an 11-year-old Jascha Heifetz, Josef Hofmann, a probable recording of Tchaikovsky speaking, and the composer Anton Arensky performing his just recently (1894) composed "Piano Trio in D Minor." Point your browser to marstonrecords.com to read about this and his other recordings and to order them. NPR featured this recording Dec. 26 on "All Things Considered," but unfortunately made no mention of Marston. Marston went to Russia to personally supervise and digitally record these cylinders. In restoring them, he's careful to optimize the content without unrealistically masking the inherent surface noise. He also does research on the probable pitch standard of the era. I have his CD of recordings by Tito Schipa, an Italian tenor of the first third of the 20th century. The selections are rendered so faithfully, and the liner notes are worthy of any encyclopedia article. Congratulations to a blind person who has really made a great contribution to both music and history.

From Edward Zolotarevsky, Bedminster, NJ:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:15:00 +0000

I told the Commission for the Blind that I need help with employment. They said that I have to look for work on my own in newspapers, online, on job sites like Monster, etc. After they heard that I have been having trouble finding a job, they told me to go back to college for computer certification. But I told them that I have a B.S. in electrical engineering and four years of work experience in information technology. They said that they do not provide job training or employment services. If you want employment, go back to college. Does anyone know of agencies providing job training or employment services for the blind or visually impaired of New Jersey? Please get in touch with me at 908-470-1533 or eddyz69@aol.com.

From Jim Kerch, Des Moines, IA:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:14:00 +0000

While people wait for the government to mark money, they can always try folding bills differently. Leave $1 flat, fold $5 in half, $10 twice in the same direction, and $20 lengthwise. Anything larger can be folded differently, but I don't keep those very long unless I spend them within a reasonable amount of time.

My wife and I are both totally blind, but rarely travel with sighted help, so people have no choice but talk to us. We had one neighbor who talked to us only if she had to, until someone came. We'll never educate people who think they cannot talk to us.

The technology article in the May issue was mostly geared for people on the web. It makes us wonder when something will help those of us who are on the "outernet."

We have always had inexpensive TVs over the years. Our latest set is cable-ready, and is currently on the system. Two of our local stations dumped the analog, but we are still receiving it. Sure, we will miss the TV radio too, but don't toss them yet, because they could be receiving two-way communications if the right people get the frequencies.

[Editor's Note: According to the Federal Communications Commission, old TV radios will continue to receive and play audio signals after the transition to digital television.]

From Mary Phillips, Sutton, England:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:14:00 +0000

I was recently asked to appear on television during the celebration of the bicentennary of the birth of Louis Braille. During my brief appearance, the BBC interviewer made the statement: "Braille is dying now." I told him that braille is still very useful, and I also pointed out that anyone could send me an email, even if the sender did not know braille, and I would be able to read it.

This experience made me sad, because I believe braille is still the best reading and writing medium for the totally blind. I realize, of course, that many people only use speech for computer use. However, speech does not fully compensate for the written word.

I am now a member of the board of education at Dorton House School in Kent. Most blind and visually impaired children attend mainstream schools now, but at Dorton House, we teach children who have visual impairment and and additional disability. I have often been asked to assist in the classroom, and have been struck by the very poor standard of literacy. I wonder how these children will manage when taking public examinations, unless they have a sighted person to write for them. But how will they manage in life? What do other readers feel about braille not being taught, and is this common in other countries?

From Denise MacDonald-Kiernan, Drighlington, England:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:13:00 +0000

I'm afraid I have to admit to being one of those people who asked for pen pals and then didn't write back to them all. I've always felt guilty about this, and I know it's rude, but I think that sometimes people have to understand that there are reasons why people don't reply. It may just be that they are shy and find it hard to say, "Thanks, but no thanks," or maybe that life's circumstances get in the way. In my situation, a number of traumatic things happened at that time. I would therefore like to apologize now and hope that it will be accepted as it was meant.

In the May issue, I was interested to see that some people have been uncomfortable when people from prison have replied to their pen pal request. Obviously I don't know the circumstances, but the prisoner had only written one friendly letter, so I assume that person didn't mean any harm. I can see why people feel uncomfortable, but I think it's a shame that people are scared of prisoners or don't want to write to them. I don't know if it happens in America, but in Britain some of the high-security prisons have braille units where the inmates learn braille and translate documents or books, or produce diagrams for visually impaired people. I made two friends through one of these units, and both had been imprisoned for murder. They are absolutely brilliant people. Life is not as simple as we would like, and even the nicest people can find themselves in circumstances that trigger behavior that they never considered. They are found guilty for things that they haven't necessarily done, and people change over time. Therefore, it would be a shame if people automatically dismiss letters from prisoners.

Also, there continues to be a discussion about responding to all pen pal letters, whether you want to continue communicating. Unfortunately, in this circumstance, the advice was to just not reply to the prisoner. Should we not give the same respect to prisoners as anybody else? I've admitted that I'm not perfect, but I think we should respect everyone equally.

From Karen Swauger, Wiley Ford, WV:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:12:00 +0000

There is a company that manufactures measuring spoons and cups with braille markings. I have ordered these; the braille is well done and they are very nice. Visit pourfectbowl.com or call 480-699-6458. QVC also carries a set of Pourfect nine-piece measuring cups and some mixing bowls that are designed not to splatter. These have large print and braille on the handles. The item number is K20841 and the price is about $22. I have been blind a long time and never found such good measurers.

From Mary Emerson, San Jose, CA:

blind@verizon.net (Matilda Ziegler) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:39:00 +0000

I am grateful for "Blind Trust," an article in the April issue, because it acknowledged that dog guides aren't for everyone.

I've been a cane user for more than 40 years. Although I love animals, I don't want the responsibility of taking care of a dog. I am also totally deaf on one side, and have no sense of where sounds come from. As with Phil in the article, I am very easily disoriented and confused, even in familiar places, due to inability to use sound as a method of orientation. Traffic patterns make no sense to me, as they did when I had good hearing 30 years ago. Everything comes from one place in the sky. I've been knocked down a few times by cars I didn't hear, and have had a lot of close calls. I still own and use a Mowat sensor, which vibrates when a beam of ultrasound encounters something a few feet ahead. The sensor has saved my life more times than I can tell you. I don't need to travel as much now, and the places I go are easy to get to, so a cane works quite well in my situation.