Feature Writer Lynne Tatum – Mobility 101
As many individuals with visual impairment will attest, as children we were taught to travel using visual cues. “Cross at the Green and Not in Between” was the saying. These days if you’re traveling visually, it’s more like “Cross at the White and You’ll Be All right!” We also have a blinking red wait hand that can be translated to, “Run like the dickens!” as you only have a few seconds before traffic begins bearing down on you.
My first mobility lesson found me attempting to imitate an ice sculpture as I waited for my instructor at a convenient bus shelter. Considering myself a safe traveler, I told him that I would like some tips and tricks for difficult intersections’. I must admit to some trepidation on my part as I conjured up nightmarish scenarios of my rather tall cane and technique being scrutinized. I need not have worried as he was an amiable and accommodating instructor whom I knew from a former place of employ. Learning that he has been teaching mobility for 37 years also put me at ease.
We began our trek at a notorious crossing that I need to make on a regular basis, I eagerly awaited his thoughts. Turns out I’m doing exactly what mobility instructors recommend. I listen for the parallel traffic surge to cross and wait when I’m not certain. He also made me aware of a pedestrian plaza, which means I really only need to deal with two crossings. With the frigid wind whipping at our coats we made our way to yet another danger zone that I have been handling with nothing more than common sense. I turn and walk up the block to avoid being splattered by on-coming traffic. This crossing is such a hazard that mobility instructors aren’t even certain that an accessible pedestrian signal would be helpful.
Making a full circuit, we stopped at a bus stop that offers busses which take me to my second home, Lighthouse International, and my real home. We took some time to assess my mobility needs and I admitted that I really do not know my home neighborhood very well. Only familiar with a two-block radius, we are unaware of the locations of establishments such as the Post Office, UPS Store or a dry cleaners where zippers are fixed. He then inquired about an area I fear the most—the dreaded Village. After some embarrassed stammering, I admitted that I know next to nothing about that ultra-confusing area with its myriad twists and turns and no discernable grid pattern.
I can barely believe I’m writing this but I’m actually looking forward to tackling that dastardly area either by bus or subway–in the Spring!
If you’ve been spreading your wings and learning new areas, tell us about it in the Reader’s Forum.