In “Planes, Trains, and Canes” Mona Minkara documents her adventures as a blind woman as she travels around the globe. She has an assistant to take care of the filming but she rarely requests for her help. Mona is completely blind and she shares how she gets around in various environments from airports to large cities and everything in between.
In the prologue to season 2 titled “So I declined assistance at JFK Airport and tried to navigate solo”, Mona shares how she navigates around John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.
One thing that caught my attention is how a change in texture can really be helpful for a person who is blind. I think this is an important detail that designers should take into consideration when designing a public space such as an airport. The lack of difference in textures did not help Mona navigate as efficiently as she could have.
I agree with what she says that most people think that they have to protect a blind person and that blind people should stay hidden away. I think this is a common view that society has. I do not think it is wrong to want to help people who are blind or who have any other disabilities but that help should not be pushed on them. I am visually impaired and I do need help at times and I am thankful for the help I get but I am also able to do most things on my own and I want to be as independent as possible.
It is helpful for me to see a blind woman get out there and face the airport without sighted guide assistance, yes she asks people for directions but I think any sighted person would do the same especially when they are short on time as she was. I love how she faces the challenge head on.
I love how she shows every aspect of what it takes to get to her goal. I like how she discusses how she navigates by using spatial awareness and making a mental map of things. She does not hide how difficult it can be at times and shows the reality of it all.
I am glad she made it to her destination in time and I am excited to find out what adventures she will have next.
I will be sharing my reaction to all of the episodes in this season. You can read my reactions to season 2 as well as to season 1 here.
What did you think of this episode?
Jazmin Ruiz 