[nabs-l] Questions regarding transition to cane use

[I. C. Bray]

Hi, Ashley,
My initial thoughts are that you might consider taking Orientation & 
Mobility ( O&M ) as a "class".
Hopefully, your instructor will teach you the basics under blindfold, and 
that way you will have the skills and be aware of the concepts and how will 
things will go later.
The largest part of O&M is knowing ( as opposed to seeing ) where you are. 
If you can still see, and get around that is great, but using a cane to 
travel if you don't need to is like carrying an umbrella on a sunny day ( 
SMILE )!
Your Opthalmologis is doing you a favor I think.  Your O&M instructor should 
put you under blindfold and get you used to it too.
I lost my vision kinda slowly over time, but then finally, it went 
completely really quickly.  I started my O&M without even light perception, 
but as I recovered just a tiny bit of that, things got easier, but I had 
already climbed the hump.

Hope that helps!!

Ian  C. Bray
Louisville, KY
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ashley Allen" <abunchoflettersandnumbers at gmail.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2013 9:36 PM
Subject: [nabs-l] Questions regarding transition to cane use


> Hi all!
>
> Let me start by introducing myself. My name is Ashley. I am new to this
> group and am a  university student this year after transferring from
> community college. I have nystagmus and have severe strabismic amblyopia. 
> I
> still have a decent amount of usable vision, but it is steadily getting
> worse. I am legally blind in my left, and nearing so in my right. My
> opthamologist has brought up the possibility of cane usage recently as I 
> am
> steadily losing my usable vision. I am currently still able to drive, with
> restrictions, and commute to campus. He's suggested this so that I may
> familiarize myself with cane use and to identify myself while on 
> campus...I
> tend to get very lost as I have trouble seeing the tiny signs...
>
> Does anyone have any thoughts? Is this appropriate as I can still drive?
> What are peoples thoughts on transitioning to cane use mid semester?
>
> I havent brought it up with my disability services on campus yet, as I 
> want
> to visit the state resources first, but any thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Ashley
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