[nabs-l] Questions regarding transition to cane use

[I. C. Bray]

Yes, Ashley;
I have to agree.  There is one thing I neglected to mention, and that hasn't 
been said so far as well.

Once you begin learning O&M with a cane, you MUST practice.  You can not 
learn the skills, and prop the cane up in the corner- It must get used!
If you ever end up needing a Guide Dog, it will be your cane skills plus 
your ability to learn and maneuver around obstacles with that cane that will 
be critical in getting your Guide Friend!

The problem-solver in me says: "Prepare for the worst, Hope for the best!"

Ian
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Miso Kwak" <kwakmiso at aol.com>
To: <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, September 02, 2013 9:59 PM
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Questions regarding transition to cane use


>I strongly agree with Sophie's point.
> I do not think you would have to necessarily notify your school's 
> disabilities office about your transition to cane because it would not be 
> a big change for your classes or accessing facilities on the campus.
> If you are a client of your state department of rehab, yiou probably can 
> ask them to provide you with an orientation and mobility instructor, so 
> that you can learn proper techniques for using the white cane.
> Also, you might want to consider NFB training centers in a long run.
> Best wishes
> Miso
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sophie Trist <sweetpeareader at gmail.com>
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list 
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Mon, Sep 2, 2013 6:49 pm
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Questions regarding transition to cane use
>
> Ashley, if you're steadily losing your vision, familiarizing
> yourself with the use of a cane will be very helpful. It will
> make things less difficult for you when you no longer have enough
> vision to drive, and it will make it easier for you to navigate
> campus without having to depend on tiny signs you can't read.
> However, if you decide to begin learning cane use, I believe it
> is important to have an O&M (orientation and mobility) teacher
> help you learn proper techniques. I wish you the best of luck.
>
> Yours sincerely,
> Sophie
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ashley Allen <abunchoflettersandnumbers at gmail.com
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Date sent: Mon, 2 Sep 2013 20:36:31 -0500
> 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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