[Blindtlk] What a difference in a cane

[Peter Donahue]

Good afternoon Ellen and everyone,

    Canes need occasional cleaning too. What better place to do that than in 
the shower.

Peter Donahue


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ringlein, Ellen via blindtlk" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
To: "Tom Cramer" <tom.cramer1 at gmail.com>; "Blind Talk Mailing List" 
<blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2014 12:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] What a difference in a cane


>I also found it quite liberating when I realized that my white cane is not 
>just a symbol, indicating my blindness to  others, but a tool that could 
>make me more independent and self-reliant. Once I gained this insight, I 
>took my cane everywhere and used it all the time, even if I made an 
>occasional use of an elbow. I used to say that the only place I did not 
>take my cane was the shower, but that's no longer true. I've gone camping 
>and took the cane with me in the shower. These days I feel naked without 
>it. And just like with a credit card, I never leave my home without my 
>cane.
>
> You might find it interesting to read Tom Bickford's book: The Care and 
> Feeding of the Long White Cane. Here is a link to the online version.
> https://nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/books/CFCANE/canetc.htm
>
> You can order the book in print or Braille from the NFB Independence 
> Market at no charge. I believe that the audio version is available from 
> NLS.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Ellen Ringlein
> Manager, Independence Market
> National Federation of the Blind
> 200 East Wells Street
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> Phone: (410) 659-9314, Extension 2421
> Fax: (410) 685-2340
> Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:ERinglein at nfb.org"ERinglein at nfb.org
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the 
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the 
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles 
> between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; 
> blindness is not what holds you back.
>
> To make a donation to the National Federation of the Blind Imagination 
> Fund campaign, please visit HYPERLINK 
> "http://www.nfb.org/ImaginingOurFuture" www.nfb.org/ImaginingOurFuture.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom 
> Cramer via blindtlk
> Sent: Monday, October 27, 2014 11:41 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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