Meet the Blind!

Tampa Bay's 10 News, Florida USA
Saturday, October 13, 2007

Meet the Blind!

By Angie Atalla

Seminole, Florida - The intersection of Park Boulevard and Starkey Road in 
Seminole is a busy one.  According to local resident Mike Lamb, it's "an 
incredible intersection to cross and one of the toughest".

People, like Mike, who are blind or visually impaired have no choice but to 
cross the street with a guide dog or walking stick and they've got about 30 
second to do it.  Mike says, "we try to listen to the drivers but they don't 
necessarily pay attention to us so i have to rely on what the dog is telling me 
and cane users to the same thing they have to be more focused and listen more 
carefully"

The blind need those with sight to be aware of the challenges they face. That's 
why today, they're crossing as a group. They want to remind drivers of 
Florida's white cane law. The law says drivers are required to come to a 
complete stop when a blind person is trying to cross.

Local experts estimate there are more than 40-thousand blind or visually 
impaired people living in Pinellas County and believe that number is growing.

Some of those people are hoping to raise awareness of blindness through events 
like community picnics. They say if you "meet the blind", you'll learn they can 
live normal, independent lives.

Debbie Hietala is blind and an active member of the National Federation of the 
Blind of Florida, Pinealls Chapter.  She says, "even people who are visually 
impaired don't know there's all these agencies out there that will assist you 
and that there is help out there and that you don't have to sit in your house 
and withdraw"

The blind here say being blind is not the end, it's just the beginning.

Angie Atalla, Tampa Bay's 10 News


http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=65316
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