[nagdu] walking with a cane

Tue Mar 30 16:17:13 UTC 2010

Jonathan,

I'm so sorry about your dog's illness and glad you are able to get him
treatment and keep him with you.  Thank you for sharing and pointing out how
you need to grab your cane and go to work and can't just stop your life
because your dog is sick.

I really believe that finding the right cane for you is key.  And actually
getting information about how to select a cane was weirdly difficullt when I
first needed one, especially since I was still learning how to find
resources and information.  I look back and can't imagine if I had gone from
sighted to too blind to read with my eyes all in one go...  The internet
resources for blindness information weren't what they are now, but they were
starting to grow.  Whew.  But, of course, I had to read them with my eyes
because getting information about adaptive options was just as difficult,
and they're too expensive to just start buy to see what works.  Really
maddening, since I know others are in the same boat...  But I digress.

Only whenever I tried to ask questions of the state O&M instructors, or
anybody official who was supposed to know something and provide information,
it was like asking about magic wands or something.  Arcane information, only
the enlightened may know... /smile/  Also, being partal, and still fairly
high partial back then, I got the feeling I didn't have enough blindness
points to approach the inner sanctum of knowledge.  Aggravating!

Anyway, well-told story and example about cane use and finding the right
one.  I joke a lot about how many canes I have around, but only with people
who will get the joke and laugh.  /smile/  I've noticed that the wrong crowd
for that one can be quite harsh, even aggressive.  "What do you need a cane
for?  You've got a guide dog!"  Kind of like they're offended by the very
idea of having a guide dog and a cane in the same house, used by the same
person.  So I guess now my magic wands have turned into -- what? Porn?  

The great thing about convention, I have to say, is having the opportunity
to explore the mysterious world of white canes and even test a few while
talking technique with the person who actually uses the one you're
testing...  Suddenly, it becomes easy.  You get the one like yours, that
frees you to walk confidently and quickly with your head held high...

I'm not saying convention is the sole solution to cane queries, but those
gatherings and opportunities to network with other independent blind cusses
are just great.

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jonathan Lyens
Sent: Saturday, March 27, 2010 2:09 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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