[blindlaw] New THOUGHT PROVOKER- Blind Drivers

[Mark BurningHawk]

This selection did exactly what it said; provoked thought.

I'm sort of an elitist when it comes to all things blind-related.  I try not 
to be a jerk about it, but it's true anyway.  I think people should just 
learn to let go of sight as the all-important super-sense, and relegate it 
to its proper place, as just one of five and possibly more senses, no more 
or less important, equally so.  Instead, they do what Albert does, getting 
every last shred of use out of sight, often neglecting their other senses 
and the sometimes equally useful information gotten from them.  I once knew 
a woman who tried her best to use her remaining vision to get around with. 
While she moved very uncertainly and hesitantly, another friend with about 
the same amount of vision used her cane to navigate rings around the first 
woman.

Having said that, on the other hand, not even an elitist jerk like me can 
drive.  My usual joke is, "I *CAN* drive; they just won't let me." 
Technically, that's true, but it doesn't help.  All my senses won't give me 
enough information for me to drive.  As I grow older, I realize just how 
much easier the world would be if I could drive.  As I continue to lose my 
hearing, I fight vehemently against every new bit of evidence that a little 
more has slipped away.  Your portrayal of him makes Albert sound very tense, 
scared, and on many levels keenly aware that he's pushing the envelope 
trying to drive with his vision loss.  He does it anyway, and I'm not sure 
I'd do differently; hope so, but know better.

This is your best one yet.