[Blindtlk] What a difference in a cane

[Carly Mihalakis]

Evening, Tommy,

         I had the same experience as you in that never could I 
imagine how a straight cane would, could, fit into my lifestyle. Yet, 
I forgot what ended up happening to make me begin to use one of those 
NFB straight canes. And, my experience was as you describe your's to 
be. And, at times you are traveling sighted guide, there's nothing 
wrong with holding your stick in like a pencil grip, whilst holding 
the shoulder (that['s how sighted guide works for me, lightly 
constantly contacting the ground. That way connection to Ol'Sighty is 
maintained, sowhich, I thought was the point of sighted guide. 
Anyway, Tommy, you can hold your stick in your arm at times you need 
your hands or set it aside if you need too. Glad you have seen the light!
for today, Car



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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