Dr. Jo born 1939 with low vision, became blind age 11

Safe Toddles Talks Orientation and Mobility

Jo was gifted in math and was quite capable, the first born – she helped look after her 3 siblings. Although long white canes had been used for 5 years when she became blind, one was not provided to her when she needed it. In school, there were plenty of ways for her to learn independently -she had talking books and eventually learned braille to read independently, but the most natural independence of all- walking, she was taught a dependent solution. The only solution they could think of was for her to walk with an escort to keep her safe, which she wanted no part of.

Jo grew up as an independent child -her low vision allowed her to walk on time and yet, she was keenly aware, as an adult of how unsafe she was crossing major avenues with incomplete knowledge of exactly where the cars were, before and after she became blind. She had incidents that clearly demonstrated the difference between orientation and mobility. She was oriented – no problem. But knowing where you are and where you are going is just half of the equation – the other half is mobility – mobility with blindness or a mobility visual impairment requires a mobility tool. And she lived for 17 years without effective mobility tools. She survived – but is that really the legacy we want for children who are born blind? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? No, I don’t think so. Instead let’s recognize the value of mobility tools to all people who are blind or mobility visually impaired- welcome them much like you already welcome wheelchairs, as addressing a need.

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