Adam

GPS ESSAY

Having a GPS would be incredible! It is an amazing device that could greatly improve the mobility skills and independence of blind or visually impaired students such as myself. In this essay I will discuss my reasons for wanting a GPS and how I could use it.

First, having this device would help me by giving directions to others. Being unable to read street signs or addresses makes it difficult to give people good directions to a specific location. This device would make it easier to give directions to a driver instead of having to give fragmented instructions. It is difficult to look up the address of a destination but it would help the driver and me by being a little more specific. I believe that having one would make it much more likely that I end up where I need to be instead of getting lost in an unknown area.

Next, using the GPS device would allow me to get out of the secure environment of my home and explore new places. I live with my mother just outside of Dowagiac, Michigan. My father lives in Elkhart, Indiana, and I have always wanted to explore more of it than just the street on which my father lives. I have a whole summer ahead of me just full of time to go places and do things without needing help. I could go out into the world and meet new people and discover new things in life. The GPS would give me more confidence in myself to explore on my own.

One of my goals in life is to be a professional drummer. When the time comes that I am playing in a band, I will need to find my way to concert locations. The easy thing to do would be to always ride with another member of the band, but I don't want to always depend on them. I am not their responsibility, I am my own. I could use this device to get to band practice or a concert without having someone else go out of their way to make sure I get there.

I have always had a great love for reading. The GPS would make it easier for me to go to the main Elkhart library. I go about once every five months and would much rather visit it once every couple weeks. As I've mentioned, I always have to ask for a ride from someone. The people I ask are usually busy however, and I hardly ever end up going. I could use the GPS to determine if public transportation was available to and from the library.

This would improve my knowledge of reading and vocabulary not to mention giving me more books to read or listen to.

Another reason for wanting this device is dating. I am at the age when I would like to take girls on dates and need to find their houses. I can't imagine how bad it would look if I always had to ask her for help, or needed a friend to take me to her house. I don't want my blindness to stand in the way of me dating. This technology would, not be as nice as having a car and driving, but it would be far better than going to a girl's home with a friend or a parent leading me!

Also, I have always been very introverted. Its not that I don't like people, I just never talk to people. This is partly because I'm shy, but more of it comes from me not doing much during my free time. Most of my friends do things such as going to the movies, the mall, or just going downtown and hanging out. The GPS would allow me to get out of the house more and give me more chances to interact with other people my age. I have a group of four good friends that I talk to. I only do things with two of them and that's usually just going to their houses. I know other people but not enough to talk to them and this device would enable me to go to places, get to know others, and improve my “people skills”.

A lot of visually impaired people I have met, such as my grandmother, don't do a lot with their lives. This is partly because they have no desire to, and partly because they did not have the opportunities that I have received.

I want to be different. I want to be a confident and independent person.

I would use this device to go out into the world and make something of my life. I wouldn't be able to stand being in a house my whole life, as I would feel trapped and cut off from the world. I mentioned above that I want to be different, but I don't want to be different because of my blindness. I want to be different because of what I achieve in my life.

Finally, and most importantly, this device would make me more independent. I always have to walk with someone else while in a big city. This would eliminate that person and give me more freedom. I always have to find a ride or someone to take me somewhere while in a city. With the GPS, I could walk on my own to wherever I wish to go. There have been countless times when I have wanted to go somewhere and do something, but have not because I didn't have anyone to come with me.

In conclusion, receiving this device would be one large step on the path to achieving one of my most important goals which is being completely independent of others. It would give my family more confidence in me as well. I want to have the most successful life as possible and contribute to society in the best way I can. Once again, I would greatly enjoy a GPS device and all the benefits it has.

Thank you,

Adam