Dear AccessWorld Editor,
This message is in reference to Deborah Kendrick's April 2020 article, COVID-19: Confessions from a Blind Germaphobe.
I enjoyed this article. I found some of the tactics a bit humorous, but I can certainly understand the concern. I especially took note of the comments on navigating a public bathroom.
It has come to my attention some time ago that many of our fellow citizens seem to be rather filthy when they’re using a facility they know they share with others. It would seem that some consideration of others would be in order, but for some, obviously not. So, long before our current crisis came about, I learned various techniques to put my cane to best use in such situations.
Of course, I have always put my cane to creative use as so many career blind people do. For example, my wife and I have used my cane several times to pull things off the sky-high Walmart shelves. Caution: this technique does present the possibility of mild head trauma from a falling 2-liter bottle of pop.
Regarding the bathroom, though, I have long ago used the cane to explore the room, in and out of the stall. I have discovered that a “dink” could mean a wall-hanger pot or stool. A metallic or plastic sounding “click” could mean a toilet paper dispenser or one of those dispensers with paper sheets for toilet seats. A hard “crack” could mean a stall door. Finally, I have learned that an “excuse me,” frequently means another person.
I have even taken to using the top of my cane to sweep above sinks and along bathroom walls to scout out soap and towel dispensers and those pesky dryers that have given me a version of a heart attack when they roar to life before I find out where they are.
Just thought I’d share these tips for you and other cane wielders to consider. Of course, it always helps if someone else is kind enough to offer assistance, especially in those nightmarish truck stop caverns they call bathrooms.
M. Todd Morando
Dear AccessWorld Editor,
Very good issue.
Loved Deborah Kendrick’s two articles: COVID-19: Confessions from a Blind Germaphobe and Employment Matters: David Van Der Molen, Member Services Associate and Audio Book Narrator.
But really, only one letter featured in Letters to the Editor. It’s my favorite section esp. when Deborah Armstrong writes in.
Stay safe.
Best,
David
