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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Frankly, I would tell the woman to send that
diagonal technique right back where she got it from. Sounds downright
hazardous to me!! You were right. How would one figure out how to
protect the other side when the cane is diagonally across on one side, rather
than moving from side to side? I've been using my cane with the
"touch-and-tap technique you were talking about for 40 plus years. And,
guess what? I'm still alive to tell you about it! Isn't that
amazing? They tried that song-and-dance with my daughter about a month ago
and I stopped that woman dead in her tracks too. I told her I
wanted my daughter taught something that works!!! Nothing more,
nothing less!! After all, that's what they're paid to do??? Oh
Glory!! My husband and I taught our blind, autistic son to tap from the
very beginning. Even he has figured out why we tap our canes. He
hears the sound waves being generated off objects from the tapping. He
actually finds that technique extremely helpful. David will be nine in
January. He's become quite a decent little cane traveler. When I
first introduced him to the cane, I allowed him to take it around the house,
touching and tapping everything in the house for about two weeks to get him used
to the idea. It clicked with him almost immediately--pardon the pun.
Didn't take long for him to catch on to the value of that one. We
practiced navigation of steps and all kinds of things in our house. It's
taken him a bit longer not to be intimidated by the out-of-doors. But he's
coming along there too. He actually becomes more inhibited and afraid if
he doesn't have it now. He can't stand it. Gotta have it!!Have a
great weekend</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Bernie Jacobs</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=mama2sally@yahoo.com href="mailto:mama2sally@yahoo.com">L W</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=mdpobc@nfbnet.org
href="mailto:mdpobc@nfbnet.org">mdpobc@nfbnet.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, October 23, 2009 8:33
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Mdpobc] O/M cane issues at
school</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face=Calibri>Hi all </FONT>
<DIV></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT
face=Calibri>Joli’s mobility teacher has her learning the diagonal
technique.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I asked Joli to
show me how the O/M<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>has her
using the cane.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It looks
like she holds the cane in her right hand.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is crossed in front of her
left hip with the tip maintaining constant contact with the ground.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I asked her what happens if
there was an obstacle on her other side and she said she can switch
hands.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This technique seems
really awkward to me as it looks like she can’t completely clear the
space ahead of her without switching hands, which is tricky if she's
carrying anything. I was wondering if the NFB has any thoughts on
this technique.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Joli got
her cane from the NFB and has been using the touch tap, step, tap, step
technique they showed us at the NFB.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Her O/M teacher says that the
NFB touch tap technique is only for outdoor use.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She didn’t even want Joli using
her cane indoors until she had learned the diagonal technique.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So far after much debate
we have an understanding that Joli can use the touch tap technique until
she learns the diagonal technique.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The O/M instructor wants me to provide a letter from the NFB
saying the touch tap technique is appropriate for indoor travel in a
familiar environment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am
not sure I want Joli using the diagonal technique, and I am wondering
how the NFB feels about this technique.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT>
<DIV></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face=Calibri>Thanks for any advice,</FONT>
<DIV></DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3
face=Calibri>Lauren Wibbe</FONT>
<DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR>
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