[blindkid] Incorporating Mobility and Cane Travel at Home

Marianne Denning marianne at denningweb.com
Thu May 28 18:07:03 UTC 2015


On 5/28/15, Bernadette Jacobs via blindkid <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Good morning everyone: Bernie here. I would like to begin this morning by
> sharing an experience back from my high school dating days.
>
> I was just 17, a junior in high school. A friend of mine introduced me to a
> young man home she thought I might be interested in dating. It was arranged
> that we would meet at the lobby of the school after swim practice on a
> Friday night. We got in the car and drove to the mall. As I was getting out
> of the car, he said, really. You don't need to take that in with you, as he
> tapped my cane. I said nope. The Kinko's with me everywhere. He said you're
> really making me upset. I said Gee.  I see no reason to be upset. I do this
> all the time. My cane is an extension of me. That's just the way it is. He
> said goodbye. I said bye. I hopped the next bus back to school.
>
> With the adoption of each child there was, not so mysteriously, a bright
> shiny brand-new white cane at the door when they arrived at our home for the
> first time from China and Thailand.
> For the first two weeks, each child was encouraged to explore, to bang slide
> role that Cain and learn everything about it they were encouraged to learn
> what that King could and would not do.
>
> David, in particular, gets highway upset if and when he is told he cannot
> take his cane. Or if he is told to leave it someplace. Just barely 2 weeks
> ago, Virginia was in the schools health center announcing to everyone"My
> cane is an extension of me!!! "Now, where do you think she would ever get
> that???
>
> On that happy note, have a great day!
>
> Warmly,
>
> Bernie
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 27, 2015, at 3:55 PM, Roanna Bacchus via blindkid
>> <blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Parents,
>>
>> I wanted to continue my series of posts about the Expanded Core Curriculum
>> by discussing how you incorporate cane travel and other mobility concepts
>> at home.  My parents have worked h^ard to incorporate cane trchlel and
>> other important concepts that will contribute to my independenceat home
>> and at school.  I take my cane to church on a regular basis.  I also take
>> my cane on trips when we are traveling as a family.  How do you
>> incorporate cane travel at home with your children? Look forward to
>> reading your thoughts on this topic.
>>
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-- 
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

I agree with everything that has been said here.  I am going to tell a
different story.  I grew up in a town of less than 600 people and ran
all over town without a cane.  I began attending a school for the
blind when I was 14 and when they tried to put the cane in my hand I
didn't want anything at all to do with it.  That continued into my
20s.  I almost got hit crossing a busy intersection in a large city so
began carrying my cane for identification.  I went to get my first dog
when I was 32 but have to use a cane between dogs.  My point here is
that you need to begin working with your child before those teen years
start.  If I had used a cane as a child I would not have resisted it
later. You may be tempted to have your child use sighted guide as you
travel around.  That works sometimes, but also make sure your child
has the chance to use the cane in familiar places.  When you go
shopping in a store where your child is familiar you might let an
older child look for things that interest him/her as you handle your
business.




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