[nabs-l] Questions regarding transition to cane use

Wed Sep 4 02:08:50 UTC 2013

Hi Ashley,

Glad to see you are thinking about using a cane. Lots of folks in your
situation would be resistant to the idea.

O&M training is nice, but there is nothing wrong with just getting a
free NFB cane and practicing with it on your own. The actual mechanics
of walking with a cane are not complicated. You simply tap it in front
of you from side to side in rhythm with your steps to anticipate what
is in front of you. There are tricks to make the cane sweep more
efficient, but that is the basic gist and something you can practice
on your own. You probably have enough vision to be able to imitate
someone from the NFB or elsewhere who is a good cane traveler. Or
better yet, see if you can meet up with another blind person and have
them show you the basic technique. Students at the centers can learn
the technique in an hour or less. What takes longer is learning how to
orient yourself without vision, which isn't really directly related to
cane use at all. That will become important for you too, but you can
start using the cane for basic protection and identification in the
meantime while you are waiting for O&M. You may also be a good
candidate for a training center if you anticipate needing to learn
nonvisual techniques of daily living as well as travel. There are lots
of good folks in Texas who would be happy to work with you; anyone
listed on the NFB of Texas website at
www.nfb-texas.org
would be great for you to talk with.

There will always be people making insensitive comments, but I really
think it gets much better once you are out of high school. Also, some
people can't grasp the fact that you can see and still use a cane, but
really, that's their problem not yours. I have a little light
perception and can do a few travel things visually like going around
people or parked cars without touching them with my cane. I'm sure it
weirds some people out but I just don't let it bother me. If someone
is really respectful of you and your blindness and is curious why you
are using a cane, they will ask and will listen to your explanation
about losing vision. If they aren't respectful they really aren't
worth your concern, in my opinion.

Best of luck,
Arielle

On 9/3/13, Anna Givens <annajee82 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Definitely keep up with the state resources.  But in the mean time, there
> are plenty of excellent cane users who can help!  You are in Texas - lots of
> resources there.
> I will give you some off-list.
>
> Anna E Givens
>
> On Sep 3, 2013, at 9:48 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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