From: Dani <dc8ball@yahoo.com>, Thu, 17 Oct 2013
Daniel,
My name is Dan Chomycia,
I am a firearms, weapons, and self defense instructor. I'm currently developing
a martial arts curriculum for blind people. I would very much like to learn
echolocation. Would be willing share my research with your organization in
trade for such training. I'm 35 now have been studying martial arts and weapons
since I was a kid. I'm a martial art hall of fame inductee and have tested my
training in private security for over six years.
If I can learn echolocation. I might be able to incorporate into evening the
odds for the blind in life threatening situations. I'm schooled on the use of
the cane, and don't mind helping however I can when I'm available. If you like
the program would be willing to train your people free of charge.
You can contact me by phone at
702.724.5599 or email
dc8ball@yahoo.com
3110 Quail Run Rd
Pahrump, NV 89060
From: Dani <dc8ball@yahoo.com>, Tue, 29 Oct 2013
Daniel,
... the DVD Introduction to Blind Self Defense has scripted and will be shot
over the next month. As part of my training for the DVD, I am spending as many
hours as possible with the blindfold on. I have begun practicing echolocation
it is slow going but fascinating. Things would be ten times better if I had a
good coach. If you have any time in November or December for me to come and
train please let me know.
Thanks,
Dan Chomycia
From: Dani <dc8ball@yahoo.com>, Sun, 10 Nov 2013
Daniel,
Thank you for an unforgettable experience,
Brian is a great instructor. I was amazed at the amount of things I could hear
and how precise I could be. The cane work was very practical and freeing
because of is hard tangible evidence of the environment. This experience has
been very good for my brain and I have a new way to experience the world. I can
see that there are things that crossover the to the sighted world as well. If
your interested I could document my findings for you or Brian.
...
Thanks again,
Dan
Dan Chomycia's Field Report
November, 2013
Dan's blow by blow description of his training, and how he responded.
Some Subsequent Instructional Dialog Between Dan and Brian
From: Dani <dc8ball@yahoo.com>,
Mon, 11 Nov 2013
I did some clicking at work. Share some of the concepts with coworkers. And at
lunch was trying to demonstrate finding the lunch box. But I was miss
understanding the signals and seemed to get it backwards. On the third attempt
I found it but it seemed like I should have found it easier. I seem to have
more trouble with close distances and small objects like the panel type
exercises. Is there such a thing as far sightedness with echolocation?
From: Brian Bushway <brianbushway@hotmail.com>,
Wed, Nov 13, 2013
Dan,
You should think about doing demonstrations with larger objects like a side of
a building or a wall.
As your perception develops smaller objects will become easier to detect.
The Surrounding environment can impact one's detection of a smaller object.
This is called figure ground principle.
Think about what objects draw your attention first, they should be larger in
nature, or have a distinct shape like a carport.
Your year is probably hearing many layers of sound, and is not sure which
stimuli to focus on.
An exercise you could do is park a car in an environment with nothing else
around it, get yourself dizzy and try to locate the car in a large open field.
Keep up the good work, great hearing from you.
Thanks
Brian
From: Dani <dc8ball@yahoo.com>,
Tue, 12 Nov 2013
Of course your right,
You know how I like to challenge my self. I did try again today with the
lunchbox. Did better than yesterday. Today I had someone disoriented me then I
went looking for the lunchbox. I was able to find the lunchbox a couple of
times. But my orientation was spot on. They would disorient me then I would
click straight ahead, move to the object touch it. Then use passive
echolocation to find my starting point. Found the lunchbox easily one time
after the second attempt once. Totally missed the first time because Someone
put it too close to other objects. All in all, did better than yesterday. Which
it's all I ever ask for. Will try the car in the field though tomorrow if I
can.