[nabs-l] canes and increasing sensation of blindness

[Jedi]

Gerardo,

I hate to inform you, but things aren't that much better in the U.S. 
than in Mexico. People see our canes and treat us differently here, 
too. We all have to ask ourselves about cane use and make decisions 
based on our inquiry just as Mexicans do. And unfortunately, while much 
change has taken place in our society to include us, we are still no 
where closer to full equality interpersonally than we were way back 
when. People still think we're either helpless or amazing. People are 
still afraid of blindness and blind people, and people would rather not 
show themselves as blind if that's what the dealis. These are 
generalizations, yes. but know that you're not alone here.

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> Hi guys: I'm curious as to is it fine to use a cane while going sighted
> guide with someone? for instance suppose the person whom I'm going with has
> never done sighted guide with a blind person, thus doesn't know to alert us
> of steps and the like. So I was thinking that if this technique is fine to
> use it can serve two purposes:
> 1.-Be able to go along sighted guide but at the same time being able to
> oneself find and sort obstacles the sighted person might not have the mind
> to let us know.
> 2.-Be able to start mapping in our minds the route following, thus make it
> easier to get to know the route by ourselves.
> Also I've got another subject on my mind, thus sending in the same email: Is
> it normal that when using a cane I have conflict in using it? though I know
> the cane is how we get around by ourselves thanks to a bad experience while
> studying for a diploma in Humanistic Therapy some years ago in that when I
> wanted to use the cane again after some years of having it dusting, I held
> it in my hand but wasn't able to use it at ease because memories of the
> experience came flooding back. fortunately I've been able to work them out
> but am curious as to know if this has happened to you guys? It's a conflict
> because for one I'm aware that the cane makes us unique as blind people and
> lets us move around by ourselves but also because here in Mexico the blind
> aren't viewed as equals in some respects, thus when using the cane gives me
> the feeling that lets blindness show even more, making the sighted people
> feel ill at ease; speaking from experience in another country when I know in
> the US you guys don't have to cope with these things because of how advanced
> you guys are in the work you've done all these years. some day I hope to be
> able to be like you guys and really live by your standards, thus hoping
> these questions bring on a good discussion from which more than one might
> learn something new and enrich the topic of appreciating our roots brought
> on recently.
> Gerardo


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