[Blindtlk] What a difference in a cane

[Hyde, David W. (ESC)]

Tom, what a great story! When I learned to use a cane, it was a straight one. It was so long ago, that it had a crook at the end. When I worked at the Colorado Center, all the students were trained with straight canes. The reason is that you can't hide them away. They are the elephant in the living room
Now, a couple of things. When you put it in the car, put the top in first. Give your family time to adjust. Even when you are guided by one of them, use the cane.
You may find that you want different canes for different things. I have straight, folding and telescoping canes. The straight is great in winter. The telescoping is short enough that I can put it in a backpack for those times with the one I'm using breaks. For daily use, I use a folding.
Good luck. You're going the right way.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom Cramer via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2014 10:41 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: [Blindtlk] What a difference in a cane

Recently, I was interested in a discussion that was had here regarding a brand of cane called a rainshine which was asked about.  Someone also suggested the telescoping carbon fiber canes which I always use but which I've been having problems with lately.  I went ahead and reluctantly accepted one of those free NFB straight canes from a friend.  I say reluctantly because I've always been self conscious about using one of those that I can't just put away.  I figured they'd be a lot of trouble.
I've also been someone who has done a lot of traveling with sighted guide, but I had a telescoping cane break and another one make me feel like it is going to break.

I was given an NFB long straight cane, and I was amazed at the difference.  The person who gave it to me ordered it to where it came up to my nose.  I walked around a little bit, and it felt different.
I didn't worry about it wanting to collapse or break.  I had a weird feeling about it as well.  I actually felt more confident and comfortable in using it.

I think my attitude about using the cane is changing in that I finally feel that I want to be a more independent traveler.  It's hard when I'm so used to wanting to go everywhere with someone sighted guide, but I felt a new sense of confidence and freedom these past few days.
I was given mobility training in school but I just didn't apply it outside of classes unless I had to.  And now that I feel safe and confident, I kind of feel that I don't need to be going sighted guide all the time.  This is going to be hard on my family because they're not used to seeing me navigate like this when we're all together.

Anyway, thanks to that cane discussion I now have a new interest in my own indepdent travel and want to work on it!

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