Marcia born blind in 1950 Classic Story of Growing up Independent without a Mobility Tool

Safe Toddles Talks Orientation and Mobility

Marcia, born in 1950, is an example of what everyone would like me to understand – she is such a successful person (may she rest). Born blind she was an independent child – from her accounts she hated the long cane as a child, and she didn’t need it. This is the story that every parent wants to hear – that their child will grow up like Marcia – a successful teacher, married and capable of a full, rich life.

But I want to draw your attention to listen between the lines. She got her first long cane in 4th grade, and she hated it, the instructor didn’t relate to kids, and she didn’t understand why she needed it – You see as an 8-year-old she remembered walking alone pushing her toy baby carriage to visit the town. Yes, her dog was in tow and yes, her mother made her brother follow her, and yet – she is adamant that she was an independent 8-year-old who didn’t need a mobility tool.

But why? Why I ask is this the story we raised Marica to recite – what I hear is that yes, she did run into objects and people, that to stay on track she had one foot on the grass and one on the sidewalk, that as an adult she knew fear and doubt –

Like my Junior High gym teacher said to me when she found me smoking, just think of how fast you could be running if you never smoked. I ask – what more could Marcia have accomplished had she never had to make her way so precariously on her own, without an effective mobility tool – as a child. I believe her when she celebrates her life as one well lived and yet- as a child – she had no choice but to be exposed to these dangers and to learn to tough it out.

I will always be on the side of the vulnerable child – to advocate for effective tools.

Listen to Marcia – but hear her story with educated ears –

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