Ability Forum

Vic · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 5:59 am Post subject: Am I Disabling her ?

Hi,

I have a quick question for all.

I met an old lady today who has severe vision impairment (almost completely blind) but is absolutely independent as long as she has her white cane. She is retired and lives alone in a one bedroom flat. Despite her age (and disability) she loves going out to see her friends and enjoys her daily morning walks - these she insists are the only social events in her life now.

Now the problem is that lately she has has started losing her balance and she has had a few falls. Also arthritis (in hips and knees) is catching up with her now. Ideally she needs to use a walking frame as I fear the next time she falls she is going to break her bones - infact I believe strongly that, without a walking frame, she is a hip fracture waiting to happen. And this, at her age, is likely to make her completely bed-ridden, if not leave her with severe complications.

The problem I face now is do we insist she uses a walking frame and make her completely disabled (considering she is absolutely independent now with a white cane) purely on assumptions of what might happen if she doesnt ? Afterall life is not just about the number of years one lives but is also about the quality of life that one lives those years with ?

Also does anyone know of any special mobility aids that can be dual purpose - ie provide support and work as a navigation aid for VI ? (And no, a white walking stick will be no good to her - its already been tried and did not offer any good support to her).

Any suggestions/ comments will be highly appreciated.

Vikas

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Vikas

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neha · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 11:57 am Post subject:

hi vic,

that's indeed a tricky situation! I really don't think that u are disabling her because a bad fall or a fracture would, in any case, make her bed bound! in my opinion, safety at her age is of prime importance to avoid further complications. I agree that a walking frame would be depriving her of her independence...but her history of falls and imbalance makes it crucial.

your solution( if it is available) will definitely serve the purpose; i will try to find out about it and will post my reply, if i find some relevant info.

neha

afrs · Newbie Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 19 Location: New Delhi

You are right by saying that the quality of life is indeed the most essential need for any individual. There is one option available for the lady which I guess would solve both the support and navigation purpose thereby enabling her live independently. Is is called a bat-inspired vibrating sonar walking cane which could help visually impaired people sense their surroundings. The lightweight device emits sound too high-pitched for the human ear to detect. It also picks up the reflections of these waves to map obstacles up to three metres away in three dimensions. Buttons on the cane's handle vibrate gently to warn a user to dodge low ceilings and sidestep objects blocking their path. It has been devised with a system small enough to mount on a white walking stick that sends 60,000 sound pulses per second and receives the faint echoes. Four pulsating pads on the stick's handle enable a blind walker to feel the strength of the ultrasound reflections. A fast and strong signals means that an obstacle is close.

Cheers!

Dsamant · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 10:08 pm Post subject:

Hello Vikas,

Do you have any idea about what the lady's own opinion or preference in this regard is? It might help to drive the solution. Secondly, would she herself be paying for the accommodation or would it be funded by the government...as in what is the cost flexibility?

Thanks
Deepti

Vic · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:50 am Post subject:

Hi Deepti,

Thanks for your response. This is a rather old case now but I do remember her clearly.