[nabs-l] Questions regarding transition to cane use

Tue Sep 3 15:33:25 UTC 2013

One thing I want you to be prepared for, rude comments form people. It may
not happen as much at college but when I used my cane in high school I
heard crap literally daily. I was born legally blind so have usable vision.
It is considerably worse outside due to day blindness.

These were some things I heard...
"You're not blind"\"Why are you pretending to be blind"
"It's not sunny why the sunglasses"
"Wearing sunglasses because you think you are cool"
The school nurse said "You should not use your cane these halls are crowded
and someone may trip"
People would wave the hands in front of my eyes.

Just be prepared. Being in the middle of sighted and totally blind is often
very difficult. No one understands that you can't just get correction.

I just want you to know you many have to be an advocate and explain it to
people.

There are other organizations besides the state you do O&M. For example in
Arizona we have Foundation for blind Children and Southern Arizona
Association of Visually impaired. Someplace like that may be able to help.
Or local NFB.

Suzanne

On Tue, Sep 3, 2013 at 7:48 AM, Ashley Allen <
abunchoflettersandnumbers at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all! Thanks for all the advice and recommendations!
>
> To those that have asked, I'm in texas, if you wish to know more details,
> let me know in private..I'd prefer not to disclose my full location
> publicly a this is the internet! I'm studying electrical engineering.
>
> Another question that was brought up was the restriction on my license. I
> am restricted to daytime only driving. So not a huge restriction.
>
> I am looking for an O&m instructor, however the state resources havent
> called me back just yet, and I can't actually go tothe office because of my
> work and school schedules. Any ideas on how to work around this, or is it
> just a waiting game?
>
> Ashley
> On Sep 3, 2013 8:25 AM, "I. C. Bray" <i.c.bray at win.net> wrote:
>
> > 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@**gmail.com<
> 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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