[il-talk] Using a cane

[Connie Davis]

Thanks, Leslie. 
When I talk about the grocery cart, I mean a personal one that use to take
on public transportation. I go from store to store, so I'm out on the
sidewalk using my cane and the cart. It just amazes me that people expect me
to move out of their way when I have a cart full of groceries. They just
keep walking right toward me. I think what's wrong with this picture? I
realize that this rudeness is not exclusive to blind people. I watch them
pushing and shoving each other to get on trains and busses. They walk along
either talking or texting on their cell phones. Believe it or not, one day I
saw a guy walking and reading a newspaper!

Connie 

-----Original Message-----
From: il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Leslie Hamric
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2011 7:49 PM
To: 'NFB of Illinois Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [il-talk] Using a cane

Hi Connie.  When I go grocery shopping, I go sighted guide and use my cane.
I am at the handle end of the cart, the person helping me is at the other
end, and I just hang on to the cart and they also hang on to the other end
of the cart.  Right now, you're still new at using the cane so will probably
get a lot of negative comments you've never heard before from those who are
uninformed.  It's hard, I know, but eventually, you'll learn to let the
comments roll off your back.  Hang in there!  What these people who make
comments don't understand is that the cane is a help instead of a hindrance.
It's their loss because they'd rather make comments than get educated.  Does
that make sense?  I have to deal with that kind of thing all the time when I
take my kid out. If he's crying or fussing, people want to jump in and take
over my job.  I'm polite most of the time but sometimes, I have to get firm
and say, "Let me do it, please."  I don't mind being asked if I need help.
What I do mind is when I say no and people won't leave me alone and they
keep pushing and pushing.  Each day you go out there with the cane, it will
get easier for you.
Leslie

-----Original Message-----
From: il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Connie Davis
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2011 6:48 PM
To: 'NFB of Illinois Mailing List'
Cc: 'Illinois Association of Blind Students List'
Subject: [il-talk] Using a cane

One of my biggest challenges in using a cane is going grocery shopping. I
take a grocery cart and pull it behind me while using my cane. For some
reason people think that I should get out of their way when I am walking
with a loaded cart. They just keep walking right in my path. I had a guy
swear at me today because I didn't move. I just ignored him. 
But I mean, how do you deal with that? It seems that I deal with peoples'
rudeness on a daily basis. Sometimes, I feel like they do it because they
see the cane and figure I won't know that they've done it.
 
Connie 
 
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