[Blind-rollers] New Member and Question

[Erica Cole]

Ah, OK. Thanks for the info. I guess I could go to a residential college to
learn where you do a course on top of independence / rehab stuff. I already
did one residential college but that was before I had most of my symptoms
get worse.    
As it is I think I need to   do something because I think there's a lot I
don't know.
There's nowhere that does solely rehab work.
Thanks for the idea 
Erica
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org
[mailto:blind-rollers-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel S.
Sent: 08 August 2010 21:17
To: Blind wheelchair users list
Subject: Re: [Blind-rollers] New Member and Question

Actually, GDF in this case stands for Guide Dog Foundation, a guide dog
school in Long Island, New York, different from Guide Dogs for the Blind
(GDB).

Yes, the local O&M people are useless when it comes to blind people with
physical disabilities. I asked about using a wheelchair, and the instructor
said to avoid it, because he couldn't think of how in the world I could use
my cane from a wheelchair...I know some people do it, so there is a way, but
he's clueless, and so is the other.  Grrr.
Definitely going to go elsewhere if I need O&M with a wheelchair...if I
start using a wheelchair even part-time, I will definitely need the
training.

I thought our state's maximum of 15 weeks was bad! How can you learn
anything of much use in six weeks? That's absolutely ridiculous! Is there no
long-term training centers in the UK, like the NFB centers here in the U.S.,
which do 6 month to 9 month periods of training?

On 8/8/10, Sasha Ayres <sashaallears at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
>
> Hello Jewel,
>
> I am sorry I don't have any suggestions of how you can carry your bag 
> and use a support cane in one hand and white cane in the other. It'd 
> be nice to have an extra hand or two wouldn't it? :)
>
> I understand your reluctance to use a wheelchair but it can be a 
> liberating experience! Carrying heavy things in a power wheelchair is 
> a breeze and you don't have to worry about whether somewhere is too far
for you to walk.
>
> I use a cane and a Miniguide from my power chair. O&M from a 
> wheelchair is different but it isn't too hard. Like Erica, I am in the 
> UK and couldn't get any training so have had to work it out for 
> myself, which isn't ideal but I've done it.
>
> If you could go to the Louisiana centre that would be great for you. I 
> hear so much about it and it sounds excellent.
>
> I am sorry I can't help more but wish you good luck!
>
> Sasha
>
>
>
>
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--
~Jewel
Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com

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