[blindlaw] Pimp My Cane

[Mark BurningHawk]

I don't believe I ever said "don't carry a cane because it makes you  
look blind."  I am not arguing the use of the cane as a tool.  My use  
of a black lab instead of a white cane doesn't make me look any less  
blind, nor am I speaking from a position of shame.  What I disagree  
with strongly is the need for blind people to carry a white cane  
merely as an identifier.  It's analogous, albeit very roughly, to  
being forced to wear an arm band because of race or religion--just to  
avoid misunderstandings due to light skin color.  If that arm band  
were a tool, I wouldn't quibble with that; the white cane as a sort of  
"lepper's mark," to warn the sighted about the blind does no one any  
good in the long run.  If you're a great cane user and it's an  
effective tool for you, then by all means, knock yourselves out.  I  
would say the same thing to a guide dog user who just "brought the pup  
along so people know I'm blind and cause he's cute."  Please, please  
try and understand my position and that I'm not on a tirade against  
the cane.
Mark BurningHawk
Skype and Twitter:  BurningHawk1969
Home:  Http://MarkBurningHawk.net/
Namaste!