[nagdu] walking with a cane

[Tamara Smith-Kinney]

Buddy,

/lol/  I've gotten the reverse a few times.  Have a dog, guess I don't need
my cane now.  Did it just throw it away?  Or can I give it to someone else
who needs it, you know, some like, well... 

"Me?" I suggest mildly, trying not to snicker.

Most often when I use a cane for some reason, people are so worried about
Mitzi because she's not with me, I'm not sure they notice the cane.  /grin/

No one has ever asked after the health and well-being of my cane when I'm
using the dog, though.  Yet.  You just never know.  /grin/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Buddy Brannan
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:21 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] walking with a cane

In the "opposite sketch" department, I have this neighbor. Really nice guy.
Anyway, we were both picking our kids up from school, and I mentioned I was
still waiting for my next dog. He said, "Oh. I thought you didn't need your
dog anymore since you had a cane now." (Huh) 
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Mar 30, 2010, at 12:17 PM, Tamara Smith-Kinney wrote:

> 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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