The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-01-26

genius, and his very name has become a
sign in the sky for the blind the world
over.
Some OF his hints to newly blinded"
men must he repeated here:
The commouest mistake which is
made by kindly folk who want to help a
blind person is TO believe that because
he cannot see he cannot move about
without support \ guide should realize
that all a blind man needs in the way of
assistance is the gentlest directing pres
| sure.
when going for a brisk walk Il will
| al first lie found the best plan 10 put one
7 hand in "A coat poo ;et and let the guides
| hand rest gently inside the arm. The
/ guide and guided should keep step. The
! guide Will he able by gentle pressure
! at precisely the right moment TO give
! warning OF step up or down in such 4
way that the pace need not be slackeued.
Il am very clear rs TO the great ad-
| vantage of walking without any contact
| at all between the walkers. Ii is sur
! prisingly easy to do this as long as the
sighted pedestrian remembers to give
warning by word or touch OF "A curb or
other obstacle. II is we'll to note that
walks should ~ FIRST he taken in quiet
places, where the noise Of pas>e-shy and
z
meatS which are still uncertain.
No Danger In walls.
The ease and adroitness with which
some blind people move are apt TO lead
! others to think that they possess AN eX-
| traordinary faculty unknown to the rest
of the world. This is not the case except
with regard to what may be called the
| perception of obstacles People who
| have been for some time blind become
| aware OF the existence OF a wall. largo
| tree or any other bulky obstacle which is
/ at least the height of the face several
yards before they reach II. but those in
! whom this perception has not yet de-
/ veloped need never fear that they will
: damage themselves by walking into a
wall. So long as one holds oneself erect
| the toe will always strike the wall be-
! fore the face does. This perception of
| obstacles does not, as rule. extend to
| slender objects, such AS lampposts or
| the edge OF an open door.
"In going up or down starirs no as
sistance is needed beyond that given by
! the banister.
| Blind people Will find that folks are
apt to warn them of things which do
not matter in the least. while leaving
| them totally unwarned OF things which
matter a great deal. Soon after my
| sight finally went | was dining In a
! house. My hosbess escorted me to din
ner and as we approached the draw
/ ing room door said: Now, be very
, careful you are just coming to a mat
! The mat in question was a very thin
one, which would really have required
quite a lot of finding.
| she then led me straight OF the top
OF the stairs without a word OF warn
to-
usual practice OF keeping my shoulders
1 well back when / am not sure OF my
position In regard TO steps we should
certainly have both gone downstairs
with more speed than dignity.
Easy to SIT Down Naturally.
| "a great many blind people get firmly
rooted In the habit OF STOPPING over
and feeling a seat before they sit on It.
a quite unnecessary action which gives
an impression of helpessness and inef-
ficiency to the onlooker. One very cas- ly
gets into the habit of touching the edge
of seat with the calves OF the legs,
thus making oneself feel happy about
sitting down firmly in a quite ordinary
manner.
For a considerable time past I have
quite given up the use OF walking
stick unless l am walking by myself
| In place | do not know we'll or am
going with some one on a tramp over
rough country. with bitches and other
| obstacles to negotiate l am quite clear
that l get along much better withou,
ii stick. l walk more naturally, :rcclS
and feel more confident Newly blinded
people sometimes get into the habit Of
carrying a stick indoors. This SHOULD
be absolutely barred. a stick is 8
great obstacle to the attainment OF in
| dependence
IF one is walking alone and carry
ing stick It should not be used tC
tap the ground In front. but shoult
be carried with the point In advance
lightly touching the ground or Jus