Mike born 1952, blind due to RLF/ROP a MUST LISTEN for all O&M Graduate Students!: Part 2

Safe Toddles Talks Orientation and Mobility

This was one of the very early interviews I had done. Twenty-five years ago, late one evening I sat down across the table in my Hunter College office with good friend, Mike Levy. He had come prepared with written statements of memories and family lore surrounding his travel. I would recommend this interview to every graduate student studying O&M. Mike was taught O&M in the eighth grade – using a very rote method of instruction. His answers and memories are incredibly insightful about growing up a star of the “no pain, no gain” early intervention for blind babies.

One can easily hold Mike up as a highly successful employed, married father of two – but there is no doubt the discussion of his travel is a very difficult one for him. He doesn’t like to be questioned too deeply about the meaning behind his memories. His narrative is, he possessed free, open, and no holds barred travel encouraged by his parents that made him the successful traveler he is today, but an adult who stays put waiting for a guide in a hotel room is someone who has had too many bad experiences to risk independent travel. He is proof positive that the “no pain, no gain” upside down childrearing methods caused deep wounds. It would take hours and hours to unpack the harm perpetrated on a human being wo wonderful as little Mike Levy who really is a superhero.

Visit our website: Email: [e-mail] TikTok Facebook YouTube
Thanks for listening! Please, leave us a review, ask questions and share with your friends!!
Please donate to help Safe Toddles Inc. achieve our mission to provide blind toddlers with a solution for walking independently with safety.
If you know anyone who needs a belt cane - go to ObtainCane