1Touch vs. Traditional Martial Arts for the Blind

right off the bat, I realize this may not be a fair comparison, but hear me out.

As a blind person with a bit of training in karate, aikido, and Shaolin kempo, Ifeel that 1Touch, a system of self-defense marketed to the blind and blindness organizations, falls short of adequately preparing blind pedestrians for realistic, self-defense situations. Based upon the class I took, the system emphasizes constant physical contact with the assailant. It also incorporates locks, bars, and blocks.

What's more, according to my blind peers who've studied 1Touch, the system advocates dropping our white canes to the ground and placing afoot on it to hold it in place during self-defense situations.

According to those who've been taught this, the rationale is as follows. Since many blind people use fiberglass canes like this one or this one, which are prone to snapping or splintering in an encounter, it's better to leave it on the ground so they'll have a travel aid when they've disabled an attacker enough to get away.

However, if I defend myself according to the 1Touch system, where i maintain physical contact through the course of the self-defense situation, haven't I already allowed the assailant to get too close?

Moreover, if I drop my cane to the ground and step on it, i've done two things. First, I've necessarily disarmed myself of what is arguably a self-defense tool. Secondly, the stability of my stance is compromised because I have one foot on this thing that rolls, preventing all points of my foot from being firmly planted on the ground. Doesn't that serve to give my assailant the advantage?

While the hollow, carbon fiber composite/fiberglass canes above wouldn't do much damage if swung, the handles can be used as a tool for jabbing. But are there self-defense cane tactics I'm missing?

Also, I now use this cane, specifically the long one. What are my options during a self-defense situation?

I'm passionate about this topic because I myself am blind. I just fear those promoting this system may be giving the blind community a false sense of security/preparedness for real-wrld encounters. What do you all think?

Submitted July 15, 2019 at 09:43AM by Coloratura1987 https://ift.tt/2XNAArq