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This Week

_ FEATURE

He’s living proof the blind can lead the blind

By MARJORY NARROWAY
This Week Contributor
an the blind lead
the blind? That
question usually
receives a negative
reply. But anyone seeing
Michael Brodsky walking
downtown, with his erect
stance and surefooted gait,
would never suspect the
man was blind if it weren't
for the guide dog beside him.

Brodsky lost his sight in 1973
after being hospitalized with a
high fever. After leaving hospi-
tal, he received training at the
Canadian National Institute for
the Blind in getting around his
home and neighborhood without
danger to himself and others.

Brodsky was a quick learner.

“The first trip downtown,” he
confessed, “was a nightmare.
But now it’s just a breeze.”

Soon he was helping the newly
blind learn what he’d been
taught.

Brodsky became accustomed
to taking care of himself. He
learned how to cook, whipping
up a feather-light omelet or a

Greek salad with expertise,
even baking his own bread.

Outside his home, Brodsky
gets about with the assistance of
his guide dog Rusty. Brodsky’s
golden retriever accompanies
him wherever he goes. Rusty is
obedient as a rule, but the one
time he will disobey is if his
master inadvertently en-
counters a dangerous situation.
Sometimes the public, especial-
ly children, make it difficult for
Rusty by petting him when he’s
on duty. This can distract him,
possibly resulting in an accident
to his master.

Brodsky has had two other
guide dogs, one which was with
him several years, the other a
few months. When Rusty

ACADEMY

LISTENING to Perfect Paul, a computer-synthesized voice, Michael Brodsky sits in front of his
1.3-megabyte computer as he scans his mail. Although Brodsky uses the Optacon for some
reading, he makes more frequent use of the scanner hooked up to his main computer.

retires, as he will before long,
having reached the ripe old age
of 10 years, he too will be
replaced by a younger animal.

After relearning basic living
skills, Brodsky turned his ener-
gies towards earning a living.
He took a course with the CNIB
CaterPlan Corporation which
procured him a concession at the
post office selling candies,
cigarettes and matches.
Brodsky said very few cus-
tomers tried taking advantage
of his blindness by rippirg him
off.

For 10 years, Brodsky ran his
concession enjoying contact
with the public. His customers
enjoyed his geniality and sense
of humor-

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During this time, Brodsky
chaired a committee of eight,
welcoming Vietnamese boat
people to Victoria. He remem-
bers the first family spoke
Chinese and some French and
English, so communication was
difficult. As the refugees learned
more English they laughed
together at their first attempts.

Earlier, Brodsky himself had
some difficulty communicating
because he found Braille, the
universal touch system of teach-
ing reading to the blind, difficult
to use. He didn’t succeed in
mastering the system.

However, he has an electronic
reading machine which he ob-
tained two years after he lost his
sight. The machine, invented by

1
HM
1

1 05
1 95

Photo by CHUCK RUSSELL

a doctor for his blind daughter,
was developed by Stanfield
University. The Optacon, as itis
called, resembles a large cigar
box. An electronic eye, called a
retina, is connected to the box by
an insulated wire. With his right
hand Brodsky runs the retina
across a line of type. The index
finger of his other hand rests
gently inside the box on a small
pad. As the retina scans the
type, small pins rise from 144
pinholes which make up the
pad, forming the shape of the
letters — one at a time.

Some people find it difficult at
first to identify the letters by the
sense of touch. Each time the
retina encounters a different
typeface the resulting shape

_ parent.
Brodsky uses his Optacon Ser :
reading business letters, ap-

generated by the pins is slightly
different. An italic letter feels
different from one in bold
typeface. Brodsky says with
practice, a user can read quickly,
especially if the context is ap-

plications and tax returns. Thi

spares him the frustration off
waiting for someone to read his
mail for him. However it isntg@
practical for him to use the Op-¥

tacon to read a book.

Brodsky’s Optacon proved in-

dispensable when he enrolled at
the University of Victoria
taking courses in philosophy,
psychology and history. How-
ever, for his studies he depended
on tapes or enlisted the services
of volunteer readers, usually
students. He also depended on

volunteers when he became ac- §

tive in the Toastmasters’ Club
winning several awards for his
speeches.

Brodsky’s latest achieve-
ments, reflecting his patience
and determination, have helped
others overcome their hand-
icaps. Last year, he assisted

sighted illiterates learning to |

read at the Read Society. The
group of six had never been able
to read, although most had tried

during their childhood and

adolescence.

Brodsky’ primary aim was to
give the students courage for the
task they faced. And that in-
volved acquiring self-confidence
above all.

Although the learners in his
group are familiar with the al-
phabet, they do not understand
nor retain what they read.

Brodsky’s methods vary accord- @%

ing to the needs of the in-
dividual. He takes pains to
ensure the readers understand
the context, the importance of
which Brodsky learned while
learning to use the Optacon.

PUBLIC
HEARING

Douglas MacKay, P. eng., Commissioner for the Capital
Region Solid Waste Management Plan Review, will be receiv-
ing submissions from individuals and groups on garbage
disposal and waste reduction alternatives for the future.

DATE: October 12, 13 (Also Oct .19,20 if required)

TIME: Oct. 12, 19 - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Oct 13, 20 - 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm

PLACE: Saanich Municipal Hall (Council Chambers)
770 Vernon Ave., Victoria, B.C.

If you wish to make a submission, please contact:

Stuart Pitt P.Eng.
Capital Regional District
Engineering Department
P.O. Box 1000

Victoria, B.C.

Telephone 388-4421