[Blindtlk] cane travel question: trailing or no trailing?

Sat May 14 23:44:51 UTC 2011

Chris,

I do use both dog and cane and am comfortable with either method of 
mobility.  I do not use the dog and cane at the same time though.

Which method of travel I choose depends on quite a few factors.  Here's a 
few in no particular order.
If I'm going to a private home or riding in a private car where the owner 
isn't welcoming of my dog.  I typically don't take my guide in private 
vehicles or into private homes unless he has been specifically invited. 
Others handle this differently and that is a perfectly respectable choice.

If the situation I'm going into would be appropriate for the dog.  I don't 
take my guide when I'm going to be sitting squashed in on bleacher seats for 
example.  I don't go to concerts, but that might be another place I wouldn't 
take a dog.

Whether or not I am up to handling my dog.  I never take my guide to 
funerals because I am simply not in a frame of mind to effectively work with 
him in that situation.

How much the dog has already worked.  I just got back from a business trip 
where Monty has essentially been in harness and working for two full days 
with few breaks.  He's tired.  If I go somewhere else this evening, I'd 
leave him at home.

There are probably other considerations, but these are the main things that 
immediately come to mind.  Also these are specific to me and my current 
guide.  I might do things differently with another dog.  Certainly each 
guide dog user has to figure out their own criteria for when to choose which 
tool.  I'd say I work Monty about 75% of the time and use my cane the rest. 
It's a good balance for me.

HTH
Julie

essage ----- 
From: "Chris Nusbaum" <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, May 13, 2011 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] cane travel question: trailing or no trailing?

> Just curious, do you use the cane and the dog interchangably? If so, in 
> what situations do you use the dog and in what situations do you use the 
> cane? Or do you only use the cane when the dog isn't available? Just 
> curious! I'm not old enough to get a dog yet, but I want to.
>
> Chris Nusbaum
>
> "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)
>
> --- Sent from my Braille-Note
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Thu, 12 May 2011 16:28:56 -0500
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] cane travel question: trailing or no trailing?
>
> Chris,
>
> The thing about trailing is that sooner or later you are going to put your
> hand into something or someone where you probably didn't want it.  *smile*
>
> I think two point touch is the cane travel term you were looking for.
> shorelining with the cane should find doorways or other landmarks that you
> were finding using trailing.  Also the sound of the tap of the cane should
> provide auditory information about hallway openings, the proximity of 
> walls,
> etc.
>
> I do sometimes use trailing at home where I don't use cane or dog.  I find
> it especially useful when I have a cold or in the early morning-precoffee!
>
> Julie
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Chris Nusbaum" <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 4:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] cane travel question: trailing or no trailing?
>
>
> Thanks, Kelby! I like the rigid cane because it's lighter, so I can use
> the tapping technique (can't remember the ONM term for it) a lot easier.
> I think this technique gives you a lot more information from sound, plus
> echo location, if you use that.
>
> Chris Nusbaum
>
> "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities motto)
>
> --- Sent from my Braille-Note
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Kelby Carlson <kelbycarlson at usfamily.net
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Wed, 11 May 2011 15:31:37 -0500 (CDT)
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] cane travel question: trailing or no trailing?
>
> I'm going to have to agree on this one.  I occasionally trail if
> I'm looking for a specific door, but even then it's not always
> necessary.  Whether you use a folding or rigid cane, if your
> technique is correct you should have no trouble.  (Trust me, it's
> taken me awhile to develop as much confidence as I as far as
> speed of travel goes.  I know how you feel.)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ray Foret Jr <rforetjr at att.net
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Wed, 11 May 2011 15:04:47 -0500 (CDT)
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] cane travel question: trailing or no
> trailing?
>
> Frankly, you are not sacrificing any information you get from
> trailing.  Why?  That's because you are mistaken in the belief
> that you get any useful data at all from that technique.  Better
> to develope a faster pace and trust your  cane; and thus, trust
> yourself better also.  Trailing will slow you down and frankly,
> you'l look strange and lacking in confidence compared to the
> other blind dues around you who are getting the girls because
> they are confident.  How's  that for insentive?
>
>
> Sincerely,
> The Constantly Barefooted Ray!!!
>
> Now a very proud and happy Mac user!!!
>
> Skype name:
> barefootedray
>
> Facebook:
> facebook.com/ray.foretjr.1
>
>
>
> On May 11, 2011, at 2:57 PM, Chris Nusbaum wrote:
>
> Hi, all.
>
> I have a cane travel question for you.  For a long time, I was
> using a folding cane with a pencil tip along with the trailing
> technique, especially in familiar areas i.e.  home, school, etc.
> After attending the LAW Program, where they took my folding cane
> on the first day and gave me a straight (aka rigid) cane with a
> metal tip that I was required to use during the four days I was
> there, I started to like the straight cane a lot better and came
> back home with one.  I don't think I'll switch back to a folding
> cane unless I have to, by the way.  While I was at the program,
> one of the blind mentors was helping me learn how to use this new
> cane, and in the process told me that he would suggest not
> trailing in hallways (whether they be in familiar or unfamiliar
> areas) and trusting the cane alone.  He then said that I need to
> work on a faster, more confident pace than I have already.  One
> of his reasons for that need of a confident pace, by the way, is
> to "get the girls," LOL.  So I tried not trailing in the hallways
> of the Jernigan Institute building, and it did take some getting
> used to.  After the program, I thought about what he'd said.
> Although I can understand what he's talking about with the
> confident pace, I think I get twice the information when I
> combine trailing with cane technique.  So what do you all think?
> Should I sacrifice the information I get from trailing and just
> try to get more information from the cane, or keep trailing and
> have a little slower pace? Or are there any work-arounds you use
> that keep the confident pace and still trail? Any help would be
> appreciated! Thanks!
>
> Chris Nusbaum
>
> "A loss of sight, never a loss of vision!" (Camp Abilities
> motto)
>
> --- Sent from my Braille-Note
>
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