Michael:

What it would mean to me to win a Trekker GPS Unit

I feel that if I won a Trekker GPS Unit, I would be really excited, thrilled knowing that I would now have a tool for navigating my way around. I feel that the Trekker GPS could unlock a world of traveling opportunities by giving me critical information that I could use to my advantage in traveling. As a blind person I feel that I’ve been at a disadvantage without having a Trekker GPS because unlike someone with vision, I can’t just look at street signs or maps for navigating around a new and strange area. Trekker would give me the freedom of a whole lot of information that I wouldn’t have without a Trekker GPS. 

Why I think I should be considered as a recipient of a Trekker GBS Unit

As a pretty well experienced traveler (have been to Kalamazoo frequently, Las Vegas, California, Washington DC, New Jersey, Florida, etc.) Trekker would make going to these places more enjoyable knowing that I have the ability to navigate and enjoy “sightseeing” more. It would also help me greatly if, some reason, I became lost and if no one is around to ask information from. 

One reason I believe I am a good candidate for learning how to use the Trekker is because I have a good level of technology skills already using Braille note takers, computers, etc. I am comfortable using complex menus such as using Micro Soft Word and Braille note takers. My current experience with the Trekker GPS Unit.

I have had experience with the Trekker system already using it in Mobility with Susan Langendonk and have found this tool very useful in familiarizing myself with my surroundings. I would really enjoy learning further about the Trekker and all of its functions. I would really enjoy learning how to create a route so that I am able to learn to travel to new places more quickly and efficiently.

Features of Trekker that I have used often are “Where Am I At” function, which gives me information like what street I’m on, and what direction I’m heading and the nearest address on the street, which I like for locating businesses. The Points of Interest tells you special places that have been marked that I wouldn’t know otherwise without having to ask someone. I did have something funny happen to me once on a mobility lesson in a residential neighborhood. What happened was I was walking down a street and all of a sudden the Trekker started telling me that there was a police station on my right hand side, when I knew that there wasn’t a police station anywhere around!

My current level of travel abilities.

As far as my basic travel skills go, I feel that my level of Mobility skills is extremely good for someone my age. And my Mobility Teacher, Susan Langendonk, agrees. I’m able to travel comfortably in irregular areas, analyze and cross at complex intersections with up to 5 or more lanes of traffic, reorient myself when dropped off, use public transportation and travel in large stores and buildings. I’ve also had plenty of experience traveling in rural areas or trails such as at Camp T. 

For example, last week I used the Trekker GPS to navigate my way from Sexton High School to Bessey Hall on the MSU campus. This involved a bus transfer at the bus station and a complex route awaited me once I got off the bus in East Lansing. While I was on the bus, Trekker helped me a lot by keeping me informed of where I was by announcing all the intersections and roads. When I checked in with my Mobility Teacher over the cell phone, I was able to give specific details of where I was at because the transfer bus had been running late and we weren’t sure if we would meet up at the correct place. This gave me a really good feeling of independence knowing I didn’t have to ask someone for that information. Once on campus, Trekker helped a lot with keeping me oriented because I knew I had to travel mainly south in order to get to Bessey. With all the weird angled sidewalks, Trekker helped me to continuously head in the correct direction without getting disoriented. And by the way, I was able to complete this task successfully with the help of Trekker and soliciting information from people on campus. If feel that if I was given the chance to learn more about the Trekker GPS I would not have needed to even solicit information from others. 

My future plans with the Trekker GPS Unit.

Upon graduating high school this year I plan to attend college where I feel that routes that I take may become more complex and getting used to a new area would be easier with Trekker. I also may be living in a new area and living off of campus. The Trekker GPS would help me find efficient routes from and to school, stores, etc. I also plan to do a lot of traveling and a Trekker GPS would help me to create routes and plan routes to take just like someone with vision would use a map. 

With these skills I feel that a Trekker GPS Unit, as I’ve said before, would help me be a better traveler giving me even more independence. I am a person who loves to travel, whether it’s across the state, or over the country. With a Trekker GPS, I feel that I will be able to tour into many more great places that are just waiting for me. I feel that there are so many things that could go unnoticed without a Trekker. The Trekker GPS Unit would unlock such a world of opportunities for me! The Trekker would be such a benefit for me. I would really, really be grateful and appreciative if you choose me as a recipient of the Trekker GPS Unit, I know I would get a lot of use and benefit from the Trekker.