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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Self-defense techniques and strategies for blind people,
By A Customer
This review is from: Safe Without Sight: Crime Prevention and Self-Defense Strategies for People Who Are Blind (Paperback)
From the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, December 1998In July 1995, clients at the Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) in Atlanta pioneered the first class in a unique program called Safe Without Sight. The program was inspired by requests from several newly blinded men and women who were concerned about their personal safety when they traveled alone. To design the course, CVI director Scott McCall drew on the expertise of Wendy David, a blind psychologist who has done extensive research on perceived vulnerability and blindness; and Kerry Kollmar, a martial arts instructor with a special interest in teaching people with disabilities. Now David, Kollmar, and McCall have distilled the Safe Without Sight program into a to illustrate two of their overarching concepts, "paying attention to your surroundings" and "listening to your inner voice." ... Safe Without Sight is divided into two sections, covering how to avoid danger and how to escape from it. Some of the information in Part One is fairly general U.S. crime statistics and common misconceptions about victims and attackers. Yet the authors keep their audience in mind, bringing the discussion back to situations blind people may be likely to meet. These situations are not inherent in blindness per se, but they may arise as a blind person goes about living an active life. For example, blind people often depend on public transportation and may find themselves waiting at lonely bus stops. They must on occasion speak to strangers to get directions or find a particular street address. They may also run into safety issues when dealing with readers, drivers, and other hired assistants. HOW TO THINK, TALK, AND ACT "Being blind doesn't mean you need to feel or look vulnerable," the authors write. "It does mean you need to learn specific ways of thinking, talking, and acting so that you can live safely." Part One presents a "mind set" that can help a blind person move through the world with a minimum of risk. First and most important is the need to develop an awareness of the environment. By paying close attention to sounds and smells, by carrying a clear mental map of the surroundings, the blind traveler is less likely to be taken by surprise and turned into a victim. Intuition is also a key element of safety. The authors emphasize that "funny feelings" about a person or situation should never be ignored. They also encourage the reader to think about setting boundaries with both strangers and acquaintances. The first line of self-defense is to avoid a dangerous situation altogether. The authors furnish a variety of tips for preventing trouble at home, on the street, and in the workplace. But even the most careful precautions are no guarantee. FIGHTING TECHNIQUES Part Two of Safe Without Sight deals with the harsh realities of life-and-death struggle, when survival depends on wit, skill, and sheer determination. The book systematically outlines an array of techniques that a blind person can use to disable or break away from an attacker. Pivotal to the Safe Without Sight program is the "universal reference point." By touching this point, the juncture between the opponent's neck and shoulder, a blind person can quickly become oriented to his or her position. If it is not possible to reach the shoulder area, the person can find a foot by sliding his or her own foot along the ground. Orienting to the opponent's body is an extension of the general awareness that is stressed in Part One. With a sense of the opponent's height, size, and movements, a blind person can minimize the disadvantages of fighting without the aid of vision. A SERIES OF EXERCISES As the authors point out, reading these chapters once or twice is not enough. A series of recommended exercises, carried out with a friend or instructor, will help reinforce the various fighting techniques. Real proficiency will require a major commitment. However, even readers who do not master the program's self- defense techniques can glean much valuable and thought-provoking information from these pages. FIGHTING WITHOUT A CANE Safe Without Sight left me with only one serious concern. To perform most of the fighting techniques described, a blind person should have both hands free. This means that the person must put down his or her cane, taking the chance that it may roll or be kicked out of reach during the ensuing struggle. This could prove dangerous once the person breaks free from an opponent and needs to escape in a hurry. I wish that the authors had addressed this important logistical problem, since it could have a powerful effect on the outcome of a violent encounter. Sighted people usually regard blindness as a sign of helplessness and weakness. The general public sees danger for blind people everywhere-in climbing a flight of stairs, striking a match, or chopping celery. The assumptions in Safe Without Sight are refreshingly different. This is a book that shows utter respect for the capabilities of people who are blind, even in situations that would be harrowing to the most intrepid. Safe Without Sight conveys the message that, like everyone else, blind crime victims can have a fighting chance.
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