We are going to start this year’s “Issues Facing Persons Who Are Blind” with an interesting discussion. How often have you gone to a function where a majority of those in attendance were totally blind, and where food/ h'orderves are being served? Is it important to have a couple of sighted folks assist with putting food on plates or napkins? If sighted attendees do assist, are we, as totally blind persons, taking advantage of their vision or just being practical? What if you have a guide dog; would that make a difference?

For several months now we have been bringing forth various issues related to blindness. They have included such topics as travel, transportation, orientation and mobility, employment, etc. For our next program, we want to open up the computer in accessibleworld.org to have an open forum on any of the above items or new items you wish to discuss pertaining to “Issues Related to Blindness”. Any and all issues related to blindness will and can be up for discussion, and each of you will be the catalyst to make this program a big success.

Some topics to discuss could include:

How does it feel to travel today using either a white cane or a guide dog?
For those who learned O&M skills over 30 years ago, do you feel that the
skills you learned continue to make you feel confident when traveling? For
those of you who have had O&M in the last five to ten years, has traveling
become any different today than when you first learned? If you feel that
there have been differences in your ability to travel, to what do you owe
those concerns?

Children can be our greatest joy. Through early childhood and those teenage years beyond, how we relate to each other changes. Some parents and children sail through the early years but find the junior high and high school time particularly difficult. That relationship in which your child shared his daily activities. Troubles with a friend, or last night’s exciting dream is gone too soon. In his place, you have a teenager who sounds like the son or daughter you love but whose actions and choices bear no resemblance to the person you use to know.