[nagdu] walking with a cane

Sat Mar 27 21:42:22 UTC 2010

Jonathan,
VERY WELL SAID!

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jonathan Lyens
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 5:09 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] walking with a cane

Albert et al,

This is a question that has recently hit very close to home for me. In
October of last year my guide of 4 years took ill with a very serious
disease that might mean the end of his working life. The staff at GDB has
been amazing in providing him the medical treatment he needs, and allowing
me as much time as needed to see if he will be able to return to being an
active guide. 

However, I live in a small one bedroom apartment in San Rafael CA with my
wife, guide, and career change. I'm very possessive over my guide, and I
refuse to simply retire him and give him away to a family member or his
puppy raisers. He is my first guide, and that might be what's going on...
But, I can't retire him and get another guide; 2 people and
3 dogs in a 650 sq ft apartment is just trouble! 

However, while all of this is going on, I am still required to go to work. I
work in San Francisco (a 45 minute bus ride each way). So, when it came
time, I grabbed my cane and left for work. 

Prior to joining the NFB, this is something I could never have done. I
joined the Federation after becoming a guide dog user, and one of the first
things I was taught was the need to maintain my cane skills.
However, with a short ambutech cane with a roller tip, I did not have the
confidence to walk far at all independently. However, at my first state
convention in Sacramento, a very good friend handed me his cane and said
"here, try this". It was like night and day. I found myself walking
confidently, at a normal pace with my head held high. 

I really don't know where I'd be now if it were not for my NFB family
educating me on the need to maintain my skills with the cane, as a guide dog
user; and showing me how much different an NFB cane can be. These skills,
and the confidence that goes with them, are allowing me to remain an
independent blind person regardless of my mobility tool. I am living proof
that all guide dog users must continually work at maintaining their cane
skills. I know many guide dog users that say they never go anywhere without
their dogs. But, I think we all should at times. I think it requires us all
to keep up our skills and also helps the dog learn how to be alone. No
matter how much we all love our dogs, they cannot be there for us forever.
At some point, we will need to rely upon our cane skills once again. 

Besides, absence does make the heart grow fonder. 

I hope my story helps to inspire some people to dust off that old cane and
try it out once again. 

All The Best-

Jonathan
Jonathan T. Lyens MPA
Email: jonathan at lyens.com
Fax: (321) 256-8896
Skype: jlyens
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Albert J Rizzi
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 10:20 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] walking with a cane

For what it is worth what with me being only 4 years old in this blind life,
I feel more security and am more assured with my gate when walking with my
guide. I am always conscious of others not seeing the cane, which does
happen, and so I am not as out there with it as I should be. partly do to
the concern of having it stepped on and compromised, and also not wanting to
trip others up. Still learning to find a balance with that one.

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of d m gina
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 12:14 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] walking with a cane

The other night I left my dog at home, and decided that I would take my
cane.
this is interesting for me, because I step differently with a cane, I felt
as if my feet were on pavement with no shoes at all.
Also I have an over rite tendency.
I didn't feel as light on my feet as I do walking with a dog.
do any of you havr the same kind of feelings?
Or are you so good at it you can walk freely.
Just my thoughts.
Wanted to share.

--
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
  FB: dmgina
www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future

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