Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Advice on transportation of a blind Parent. (self.Blind)
submitted by DannyABoi
Hello!
My name is Daniel, And im 19 years old. I'm from Kansas City, Missouri (Where the blind parent in question lives) However due to pursuing education I am currently international almost all year. I currently live in Brussels Belgium, But this summer I'm moving to Estonia for an internship before moving back to Belgium. etc. etc.
Point is, Is that I moved out my parents home and thus they currently live in alone.
The blind parent in question is my father, who is legally blind and still has vision degradation. Despite his extremely poor/lack of eyesight. he is extremely independent and works full time as an accountant. The problem is, is that my mother, who has eyesight and thus can drive, works almost completely across town from my father. Which means she rarely has time to drive him to work in the morning as they both start work at around 7 in the morning. So my father ends up usually taking the city bus to work. My father is happy taking the bus to and from work, but because of this dependence on the bus system, it requires my parents to live close to bus stops.
My problem is this, My parents current home is extremely old, has faulty foundation, a large yard that requires mowing. Etc. Etc. When they had me and my siblings living at home, this was less of a problem, but as time has gone on and we've moved out. The house has become more and more of a burden on them. I am urging my parents to consider buying a new home, but my father is extremely stubborn and claims finding a home on the bus routes so he can get to work would be too difficult or expensive.
This reliance on the bus system and also the fact that the buses stop and traverse through some non-safe portions of Kansas City, Missouri have led me to research into system of transpiration for my father to and from work.
Does anyone have any experience with this? My first thought would be hiring some sort of driver that would pick him up at his home and drop him off at work and the same at the end of the day to bring him home. I don't have any experience with this, and it's an added challenge doing this from overseas, but please any advice is welcome.
Extra points if its affordable, or if he could possibly get his work to pay for it (He works for the federal government)
Thanks.
My name is Daniel, And im 19 years old. I'm from Kansas City, Missouri (Where the blind parent in question lives) However due to pursuing education I am currently international almost all year. I currently live in Brussels Belgium, But this summer I'm moving to Estonia for an internship before moving back to Belgium. etc. etc.
Point is, Is that I moved out my parents home and thus they currently live in alone.
The blind parent in question is my father, who is legally blind and still has vision degradation. Despite his extremely poor/lack of eyesight. he is extremely independent and works full time as an accountant. The problem is, is that my mother, who has eyesight and thus can drive, works almost completely across town from my father. Which means she rarely has time to drive him to work in the morning as they both start work at around 7 in the morning. So my father ends up usually taking the city bus to work. My father is happy taking the bus to and from work, but because of this dependence on the bus system, it requires my parents to live close to bus stops.
My problem is this, My parents current home is extremely old, has faulty foundation, a large yard that requires mowing. Etc. Etc. When they had me and my siblings living at home, this was less of a problem, but as time has gone on and we've moved out. The house has become more and more of a burden on them. I am urging my parents to consider buying a new home, but my father is extremely stubborn and claims finding a home on the bus routes so he can get to work would be too difficult or expensive.
This reliance on the bus system and also the fact that the buses stop and traverse through some non-safe portions of Kansas City, Missouri have led me to research into system of transpiration for my father to and from work.
Does anyone have any experience with this? My first thought would be hiring some sort of driver that would pick him up at his home and drop him off at work and the same at the end of the day to bring him home. I don't have any experience with this, and it's an added challenge doing this from overseas, but please any advice is welcome.
Extra points if its affordable, or if he could possibly get his work to pay for it (He works for the federal government)
Thanks.
jrs12 7 points 4y ago
It sounds like dad knows what he's doing. I understand you want what is best for him, but honestly living close to a bus system helps him keep more independence than hiring a driver ever could. Maybe look at this from another angle. Maybe hiring a hard maintenance person or a house cleaner would be more helpful and still help your dad keep the independence he clearly enjoys by being close to buses.
Carnegie89 3 points 4y ago
I understand your dad's perspective. It has a lot to do with independence. You may have good intentions but you have to look at it from his point of view. Plus change is hard.
Depending on availability in Kansas City, maybe your dad could carpool to save time on public transportation. If your dad is working in a federal building, he could possibly carpool with someone from work. Also, think about hiring a housekeeper and maintenance person.
I'm legally blind. Sometimes some discomfort is the price for independence.
Depending on availability in Kansas City, maybe your dad could carpool to save time on public transportation. If your dad is working in a federal building, he could possibly carpool with someone from work. Also, think about hiring a housekeeper and maintenance person.
I'm legally blind. Sometimes some discomfort is the price for independence.
Hellsacomin94 2 points 4y ago
If he works for the DoD he may qualify for the Federal Mass Transit Benefit. If he gets in an area that has many people traveling to the same place they can start a van pool. You get four or five people who ride together, a company like Vango buys a minivan and they all ride together to and from work. Meanwhile Vango gets the mass transit benefit, about $260 per person per month. I’ve tried to set one up where I live, but people love their cars.
xXLosingItXx 2 points 4y ago
Uber is good. Supports service dogs, pretty cheap, accessible app, and on demand. My father uses it to get to/from work aswell.
DannyABoi [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Any idea on what the cost ends up coming out to when used twice a day (To and from work I assume) for a month?
Thanks for the great suggestion :)
Thanks for the great suggestion :)
msunrtc 2 points 4y ago
You can do an Uber price estimate here, as it depends on the location and the distance between the two stops (home and work): $1
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Also, look into Lyft--depending on the location, one may be cheaper or more available (not sure about KC, but I've definitely lived in places that were "Uber cities" or "Lyft cities").
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Also, look into Lyft--depending on the location, one may be cheaper or more available (not sure about KC, but I've definitely lived in places that were "Uber cities" or "Lyft cities").
xXLosingItXx 2 points 4y ago
Like the other guy said, it’s region based. But based on how good the bus system is, you may have available a disability ride service like MetroAccess if he qualifies. Although in my expirence it’s difficult to qualify.
SpikeTheCookie 1 points 4y ago
It will depend on the local rate, the mileage, and the peak time higher rates. :-) But uber tells you before you start a trip, so download app, plus in addresses, see what it says and then cancel trip. :-)
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Buses:I moved to another state to have good public transportation + be on a bus route. Buses re freedom!
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But there are probably other transportation options that have to do with being a senior of being disabled. This is a question for your local city and state services for the blind. There will be many options!
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Things like this: $1
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Buses:I moved to another state to have good public transportation + be on a bus route. Buses re freedom!
​
But there are probably other transportation options that have to do with being a senior of being disabled. This is a question for your local city and state services for the blind. There will be many options!
​
Things like this: $1
ratadeacero 1 points 4y ago
Your sentiment is nice but your dad doesn't need your help.
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