Ricci's reflections on training he received in a workshop


From: "Ricci"
Date: 5/27/2009
Subject: Where Can I Get Training


Dear Daniel,

Well done for the innovative approach you have developed in training
blind people.  I have been inspired by your recent New Scientist
article, and have just had another inspiring time looking at your
website.

My name is Ricci, I am 43, live in the UK and have been totally
blind since I was 15.  I am doing all right in life, generally, to
be honest, but I have never been any good at finding information by
sonar, passive or active.  So, in mobility terms I seldom travel
alone, and when I do I am pretty tactile about it.  I am convinced I
would benefit a great deal from your Audition & Flash Sonar training
module.  What would be the best way for me to go about getting that
training?

Thankyou, and very kind regards.

Ricci



From: Daniel Kish
Sent: 27 May 2009 19:09

Hi,

I'm glad we've been able to inspire. Our capacity to inspire comes
from our students. I do not know how I'd do alright in life without
being able to move in a self guided way, so the fact that you can is,
in itself, inspiring.

You say you are doing alright in life, generally. I'm pleased to hear
that. While self guided movement can be a big plus toward expanding
options for self directed achievement, it is not the make all or
break all, and there are many ways to do this. However, if you want
to expand your options, that's commendable.

... I wonder if you have access to a
mobility officer who has been through one of our workshops. If not,
we can keep in touch about when I'll be back in the U.K.
Daniel


From: "Ricci"
Date: Sat, 4 Sep 2010

Hi Daniel,
 
You may - or may not - remember me.  I was the guinea pig for some training you gave to student mobility trainers at Birmingham [City] University, UK, 1st March this year.  Being a guinea pig was my opportunity to get some of your amazing echo location / flash sonar tuition free of charge - very cheeky; but also very enlightening. 
 
I just thought you might be interested to know that ... since start of July, I have been able to walk to work each day, instead of relying on lifts.  For the first time in my career I am completely in charge of when I travel to & from the office.  It's a 40 minute walk each way and I am using a lot of echo location along the way.  I am still new to this art and not terribly good at it.  And I prefer to whistle than click.  But I now find I can sometimes sort of intuitively glide along the right path, in a slightly magical way.  I can also just about detect sets of metal railings and traffic light posts if I know they are there.  This is quite exciting for me because I have been blind for almost 30 years and not used this kind of mobility technique before.
 
Thanks for your expert guidance.  Do let me know if you are going to be in the UK again.
 
Ricci