From David Faucheux, Lafayette, LA:

I am responding to David Glagola's letter in Readers Forum last May about the decision by Telesensory Systems to discontinue making the Optacon optical converter. The Optacon seems to be invaluable. Some of my blind friends are worried lest theirs should collapse. Judy Dixon, the consumer representative at the National Library Service, wrote an article several years ago for the Braille Monitor about low-tech solutions that still work, mentioning the Optacon. I just wish they had used a refreshable pin system, instead of those buzzing, noisy pins. I can see a use for the Optacon, but suspect it is nearly moribund.

I'm glad Michael Mellor took on the job of writing Louis Braille's biography. The Acadiana Area Council of the Blind has purchased a print copy of the book and donated it to the Lafayette Parish Public Library. I wonder if Louis Braille: The Movie will ever appear?

In response to the Special Notice about cruises in July, I e-mailed the cruise operator, who told me about a neat cruise to Barbados, St. Martin and Martinique. But friends urged me not to go for safety reasons. Sighted friends told me they could not imagine how one would ever get around the labyrinthine corridors on a cruise ship, and none offered to go with me--story of my life!

I may travel to Illinois instead, partly by train. I think we really lost something when we tossed out our train system and let everything go by air. Now we spend as much time getting to and being processed in horrendous airports as we do flying in the cramped, unsanitary aluminum cylinders. To get a modicum of service, one has to call ahead days early and then recheck and recheck and hope the moron of the day at the airport can help you and your guide dog.

I read with interest and concern Timothy Nduka's letter in August's Readers Forum. Nigeria's oil revenues could be apportioned to cover equipment for blind users. I think of all the older, DOS-based equipment that lies rotting away in state warehouses in the United States. Surely, some of that could be offered to blind organizations in need abroad? It wouldn't be the limousine version, but sometimes skateboards work well, too.

I liked the September issue of the Ziegler, especially the article about microchips. But they had better make the chips a lot better before I have any put in my brain. I am so scared of computer things, having experienced many glitches, that I don't want any chips in my poor head. But if others are the guinea pigs, I'll think about it.