[blindkid] Incorporating Mobility and Cane Travel at Home

Thu May 28 19:14:32 UTC 2015

I work in a middle school and have 2 VI kids in elementary, both of our
girls in middle hate using their cane, they think they are fine without
them.  Truth is they have been teased etc and they think it makes them
stand out to be bullied/teased.  I think teens are going to go through this
regardless, especially once they are bullied or teased.  :(

My kids take their canes everywhere, my son has too, my daughter could get
by.  But I let her go get items at the grocery for me, which she LOVES.  If
its something I know she can't find, like a canned item, I just tell her to
ask someone nearby.  I know this builds her confidence, gives her something
to do at the boring grocery store and builds community awareness for VI
individuals!

Traci

On Thu, May 28, 2015 at 2:07 PM, Marianne Denning via blindkid <
blindkid at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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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> >
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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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>

-- 
Traci Wilkerson
Cell – 919-971-6526