[Blindtlk] Constantly barefoot

[Constance Canode]

Hello all,

I grew up in Philadelphia, and somehow going 
barefoot on Philly streets is not really 
intriguing.  I now live in Madison, Wisconsin, 
where we are currently digging out of over 14 
inches of snow and I don't go barefoot outdoors 
in that, either.  However, inside my own home, I 
am usually barefoot, not because of blindness, 
but for my own pleasure.  I have never been in a 
public place without shoes and would never do so, 
although once when working in Philly, the air 
conditioning in the hospital went down, and a few 
of us brave sould slipped off our sandals under 
our desks.  In the summer, I do wear sandals 
outdoors and in all public places, but I always 
have a pedicure with pretty colors.  Yes, I am vain....smile.

Connie Canode
At 03:46 PM 2/7/2008, you wrote:
>hi,
>i think i'm repeating something i said in that earlier discussion but here
>it is again;
>lots of blind kids I've seen over the years have spent massive amounts of
>time removing their shoes - especially those who have some other sensory
>issues. sometimes, though, kids are so "tactile defensive" (and I truly hate
>that moniker) they won't place the entire foot on the floor.
>To perplexed school personnel I explain that though the kids should conform
>as much as they can to social convention (that is, wearing shoes to school
>and school functions out side of school), they love removing shoes for the
>added sensory info it gives them.
>As for me - well, it's not by accident i live in the tropics where
>year-round footgear is minimal at best. there are few little critters that
>live in the ground which never freezes, but i don't know many people who
>worry about it.
>my daughter had a high school teacher (sighted) who taught barefoot; i've
>not had the nerve to work without shoes, but when i do home visits, off come
>the shoes at the door, per local custom.
>i guess my answer isn't exactly blindness related.
>best,
>kat
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
>Behalf Of Ray Foret jr
>Sent: Friday, February 08, 2008 12:36 AM
>To: NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List
>Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Constantly barefoot
>
>
>Back about a couple of years ago, I think, someone on this list asked
>whether blind people should go barefoot.  Some of the answers were quite
>intriguing.  Some said that blind people should not go barefooted because we
>can't see where we're walking; and so, we might step on something.  Others
>said they go barefooted but only inside.  yet others, such as myself,
>profess a love of going barefooted not only inside but outside as well in
>pleasant warm weather.  But, in light of this, here's a question.  Can going
>barefooted be related at all to blindness?  those of y'all on this list who
>remember the discussion back then will most likely remember what I said at
>the time.
>
>Sincerely yours,
>The Constantly Barefooted,
>Ray
>Home phone and fax:
>(985)360-3375
>E-mail:
>rforetjratcomcastdotnet
>Skype Name:
>barefootedray
>
>God bless President George W. Bush!
>God bless our troops!
>and God bless America
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Kjell Rehnström" <cellus at comhem.se>
>To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 2:59 AM
>Subject: [Blindtlk] Constantly barefoot
>
>
>Ray Foret jr skrev:
> >
> > Sincerely yours,
> > The Constantly Barefooted,
> > Ray
> >
>The fact that Ray is constantly barefoot intrigues me. Now when I am
>retired I walk barefoot as much as I can, and at home always, 'cause you
>know where you step. When I began walking barefoot I stepped on some
>glass sometimes, but never really cut myself - nock on wood! We have had
>quite icy sidewalks and then they put sand and grit on them, and that's
>a little tough to walk on. But the paradox is that when there is that
>sharp grit on the sidewalks and paths I have never had any problemes.
>Perhaps one is more cautious then...
>
>When walking the dog in the mornings I try to do it barefoot as much as
>possible. As long as the temperature is over 32°F it's OK. She is a lab
>and has been a guide dog for my SO whom I am living with.
>
>Two years ago I participated in a course of instruction at a folk
>highschool and then I went barefoot, and another participant asked me if
>I did go barefoot in order to feel the ground as a tool of orientation.
>I said no, but on some occation I have really felt my way with my feet.
>
>As I said, indoors it is really practical.
>
>Kjell R
>writing from Uppsala, Sweden
>Skype: cellus
>
>
>
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