[nagdu] RE First Cane Walk

[Elizabeth Rene]

Gail,

I got a stout, aluminum folding cane, with double elastic and a roller-ball 
tip, from an O&M instructor who showed me around Austin, Texas, when I 
studied there in 2001, and I've never looked back.

I used that cane for 2 1/2 years after Wilson retired from guidework, and it 
was great on rough sidewalks, unpaved roads, tree-root studded paths, and 
rocky beaches.

As I read this post, it becomes clear to me that each of us has loyalties to 
our favorite canes.  You will have to judge what works best for you.

The only thing I might add about canes is that one doesn't have to suffice 
for every purpose, unless price is the issue.  Believe me, I've been there. 
But when you can afford it, why not consider a cane wardrobe?

Even with a dog, there are times when a cane comes in handy, as on a 
miserable day when it's kind not to take the dog out into the pouring rain, 
when the dog is at the groomers for a bath, when it's not feeling well, or 
when you just have to go to that rock concert with the ear-splitting music.

Folding canes are great for car trips  to restaurants, for the symphony, for 
church, etc., where they can be out of the way when not needed.  Long canes 
are great for long walks, and where they'll be used at your destination as 
well.  Given the choice, I'd probably use a more rugged cane for country 
walks, and a more delicate (read elegant) one for uptown.

So there.

Walking is great.  And congratulations on getting out there.  It will 
increase your stamina for guide dog school training routes.  After not 
having a dog for a while, I walked for miles every day last June, to build 
myself up for class, and was glad to have done so  On the free-style routes, 
I could really stride out there and go long distances.

About the dorky doctor, I wonder if he'd risk his license by falsifying your 
exam results?  I too have endured monstrous eye doctors, and know the 
feeling of being exposed to them.  I've vowed, for myself, not to let them 
get away with it.

I wonder if your state or local health department couldn't do a vision 
screening for you as an alternative, if there's no Lions Club, whether your 
primary care doctor couldn't do it, or someone from the ophthalmology 
department at the nearest university?

If you're communicating with any particular school, you might consider 
letting them know about that doctor and your worries about his attitude 
toward blindness.  They know about discrimination, and have probably heard 
it all about eye specialists.  Maybe they'd have some good ideas about how 
to get the eye info they want, or simply evaluate his report as only part of 
the larger package you provide.

Re nervousness at street crossings, I sensed you were nervous because you 
knew you needed a dog or better cane technique.  At guide dog school, 
there'll be an instructor right with you on your walks to make sure you and 
your dog are comfortable together and using correct technique.  They won't 
let you get hurt.  Only as your confidence increases will they back off. 
And since you oriented yourself with dogs before, you probably won't have 
much trouble reclaiming those skills.

Good luck,

Elizabeth