Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Frustrated because I can't get the mail (self.Blind)
submitted by EvilChocolateCookie
Hi everyone. I just need to rant a little, so just bear with me.
I'm extremely frustrated because I can't get the mail. Here's a little context. I live in a rural area. Our mailbox is right next to the road, and the people around here wouldn't pay attention if their lives depended on it.
All of this adds up to me not being able to go for the mail safely. I don't live alone, but the other people here are barely ever home. Our mailbox is almost as old as I am and it rains a lot this time of year. I don't want anything important to get damaged or stolen. It's not the contents itself that upsets me. It's knowing I can't go get it. I've finished college, built my own web site, and self-published four books, but I can't do something as simple as going for the mail. I don't mind not driving or playing with the fancy game systems, but not being able to do this one small thing really upsets me.
I'm extremely frustrated because I can't get the mail. Here's a little context. I live in a rural area. Our mailbox is right next to the road, and the people around here wouldn't pay attention if their lives depended on it.
All of this adds up to me not being able to go for the mail safely. I don't live alone, but the other people here are barely ever home. Our mailbox is almost as old as I am and it rains a lot this time of year. I don't want anything important to get damaged or stolen. It's not the contents itself that upsets me. It's knowing I can't go get it. I've finished college, built my own web site, and self-published four books, but I can't do something as simple as going for the mail. I don't mind not driving or playing with the fancy game systems, but not being able to do this one small thing really upsets me.
Mamamagpie 6 points 1y ago
So the problem is that it is unsafe to stand in front of the mailbox (in the road I presume) to stand there, open the box a take the mail out.
Could replacing the mail box with one that has an open in the front and back work?
Could replacing the mail box with one that has an open in the front and back work?
MalcolmYoungForever 6 points 1y ago
There are mailboxes in the US (or were) that have a door on both ends. Looking for a link now.
https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/postal-pro-mailboxes-post-mounted-mailbox-pstl1002.html
Best wishes my dude!
https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/postal-pro-mailboxes-post-mounted-mailbox-pstl1002.html
Best wishes my dude!
EvilChocolateCookie [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Not sure. The real problem is careless drivers who wouldn't pay attention if someone was standing on their windshield.
TechnicalPragmatist 1 points 1y ago
How about relocating the mailbox or something like that or get another one and relocate it? Or get the mail at a quiter time of day where there’s no or little traffic so you can in fact get the mail and know there’s little chance of being hit?
Zaxzia 4 points 1y ago
That sucks.
Just a few ideas. If suggestions are unwelcome just discard. (I know sometimes when I'm frustrated, suggestions just irritate me.)
Would it be possible to have someone spend some time walking with you out to the mailbox to grow familiarity?
Is the road paved?
Is the mailbox on your side or across from it?
Do you use a cane? Depending on your answers here are a few suggestions.
If you become familiar with the area maybe you can collect the mail while standing behind the box so it is between you and the road.
If it is across the road from you, can you hear oncoming traffic? If you had enough time could you recognize when it is safe to cross or approach based on sound? If it's all the same material (paved or unpaved), could a post or something be put on your side of the road so that you know where the traffic will be and don't enter the roadway by accident?
If it's on your side of the road, could you put up a post close to the house and on the same side of the drive as the mailbox and run a wire or string from the post to the mailbox? Then you could use this to get to the mailbox.
Just a few ideas. If suggestions are unwelcome just discard. (I know sometimes when I'm frustrated, suggestions just irritate me.)
Would it be possible to have someone spend some time walking with you out to the mailbox to grow familiarity?
Is the road paved?
Is the mailbox on your side or across from it?
Do you use a cane? Depending on your answers here are a few suggestions.
If you become familiar with the area maybe you can collect the mail while standing behind the box so it is between you and the road.
If it is across the road from you, can you hear oncoming traffic? If you had enough time could you recognize when it is safe to cross or approach based on sound? If it's all the same material (paved or unpaved), could a post or something be put on your side of the road so that you know where the traffic will be and don't enter the roadway by accident?
If it's on your side of the road, could you put up a post close to the house and on the same side of the drive as the mailbox and run a wire or string from the post to the mailbox? Then you could use this to get to the mailbox.
akrazyho 3 points 1y ago
What about a cane with a large ball roller tip?
EvilChocolateCookie [OP] 7 points 1y ago
I've got one. It won't help too much in this case. I know where to go and how to get there, but drivers around here make it dangerous for anyone.
lil-alfalfa-sprout 3 points 1y ago
I think they're suggesting the drivers might be more careful if they can identify you as Blind.
FrankenGretchen 2 points 1y ago
Bahaha! In my hood a cane tells them you won't be able to identify them if you survive them hitting you. If they're not paying attention to fully sighted folks trying to get their mail, they won't notice the cane or the person using it any better
Sorry for the brashness but truly. Careless people aren't suddenly going to change because they know you can't see them. My experience across the board is the exact opposite.
Sorry for the brashness but truly. Careless people aren't suddenly going to change because they know you can't see them. My experience across the board is the exact opposite.
codeplaysleep 1 points 1y ago
I used to have a mailbox that had a door on both sides, so I didn't have to go out into the road to check the mail.
I often forget about the mail and end up going out to get it late at night and there's never any traffic. That's obviously even less safe if your road is busy at night, but maybe you can find a time of day when traffic isn't bad and go out then.
I often forget about the mail and end up going out to get it late at night and there's never any traffic. That's obviously even less safe if your road is busy at night, but maybe you can find a time of day when traffic isn't bad and go out then.
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