[nagdu] beginning to use a cane

[Julie Phillipson]

I believe it is very difficult for anyone to accept something about 
themselves.  I think everyone has something that they are not comfortable 
with in their lives.  It takes time and sometimes a lot of work to get to 
the point where you can let that go and be what it is and accept it.  There 
is a lot of emotional stuff to go through with any of it.  Taking the step 
to admit that one needs a mobility assistance device whether it is a white 
cane or a support cane or a wheelchair is all the same.  Realizing that you 
need it is half the battle and the other half is dealing with the feelings 
of inadequacy, self consciousness, and embarrassment.  I think those 
feelings lessen in time because eventually you will get to the point when 
you realize it is helpful to you and who cares what anyone else thinks. 
Building confidence in yourself is one of the best things any of us can do, 
and it sure helps to surround yourself with positive role models like people 
in NFB or another supportive group.  If you never let yourself take the 
first steps  of learning how to use a cane and then working with it until 
you are good with it you are only hurting yourself.  Sure it is going to 
bring up negative feelings in other family members but you are cheating 
yourself if you let them control what you do.  Let them deal with their own 
feelings and don't let them try to make you responsible for how they feel. 
If In my opinion we act like a second class citizen then that is how others 
will treat us.
Julie Phillipson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brenda" <bjnite at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 12:15 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] beginning to use a cane


> That is good that you can do that.  Not everyone is in the place you are 
> at.  Years ago I got involved in a 12-stepprogram which helped me accept 
> myself as I am.  It is still hard when you are bombarded with negativity. 
> Maybe we should all move to your city.
>
> On 12/22/2011 11:49 AM, Sheila Leigland wrote:
>> I see many interesting posts on the subject on the cane. The most 
>> disturbing one for me have to do with the perceptions of being a second 
>> class citizen or worse than that. I'm not a second class citizen or worse 
>> than that and I won't accept that kind of treatment from anyone. I had to 
>> learn to stand up for myself and my right to take up space on this planet 
>> and noone will take that away from me.
>>
>> Sheila Leiglan d
>>
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