Thus, for example, the American World War II blinded veterans' only initial reference point for thinking about their condition was the pathetic, dependent, helpless individual--the denizen of sheltered workshops or the street beggar--they believed blind people must inevitably be.
Some blinded veterans recall that doctors did little more than bluntly inform them of the finality of their condition, and ask them if they had any questions.
The introduction early in a man's rehabilitation of assistive devices, such as the braille watch that cheer-up visitors from the American Foundation for the Blind distributed among blinded American servicemen, who were able instantly to recover their time-orientation, also was intended to serve the same psychological purpose.
Disabled veterans, the state, and the experience of disability in Western societies, 1914-1950
A third approach involves using peers as resources to help newly
blinded older persons learn the skills and self-confidence necessary for living independently.
Mobility training for the older blind: a common sense approach
Holsopple, a clinical psychologist at New Jersey State Hospital, published an article entitled "Psychological Problems of the Newly Blinded Adult." In describing their condition, he frequently drew analogies from the behavior of young children.
As the child tired from a long day's play, fails to recognize his desire for sleep, cries for attention and gets it only to burst into tears a moment later when he discovers attentions is not so satisfying after all, as the adult newly blinded may reach for one satisfaction after another only to find disappointment with all attainment (Holsopple, 1931, p.37).
Origins of conflicting professional and consumer images of blindness
The campaign aims to underscore the critical shortage of teachers qualified to teach braille reading as well as the need for recruitment and funding for teacher education programs serving the unique needs of blind and visually handicapped children and recently
blinded adults.
AFB launches public education campaign